mitochondrion

IPA/ˌmaɪtəʊˈkɒndriən/
KK[mˌaɪtəkˈɑndriən]IPA/ˌmaɪtəʊˈkɑːndriən/

mitochondrion — noun

  • mitochondrionsingular
  • mitochondrionsplural

1. A microscopic compartment inside the cells of living organisms that uses oxygen

1.nounC1
Definition

A microscopic compartment inside the cells of living organisms that uses oxygen to break down nutrients and release a form of chemical energy the cell can draw on for activities such as growth, movement, and repair.

Example

Muscle cells contain thousands of mitochondria so they can keep the body moving during exercise.

usually plural in scientific contexts: mitochondria

Under the microscope, Dr. Linh could see the mitochondria glowing inside the liver cells.

countable noun with specific body tissues

Common collocations
  • mitochondrial DNA
  • mitochondrial dysfunction
  • dysfunctional mitochondria
  • mitochondrial membrane
  • mitochondrial disease
  • mitochondrial respiration
  • damaged mitochondria
  • healthy mitochondria
  • mitochondrial genome
Synonyms
  • organelle

    much broader term that covers any specialised subunit within a cell (nucleus, ribosome, etc.)

Grammar Patterns

mitochondria + verb (plural agreement)

mitochondrial + noun (adjective form)

Usage Note

The plural form mitochondria is far more common in scientific writing than the singular mitochondrion. Use singular only when referring to a single such organelle: 'A single mitochondrion can split into two.' The associated adjective is mitochondrial (e.g., mitochondrial DNA, mitochondrial disease).

Common Mistakes

The mitochondrions in the cell produce energy.
The mitochondria in the cell produce energy.
The irregular plural is mitochondria, not mitochondrions.
A mitochondria is found inside the cell.
A mitochondrion is found inside the cell.
Use the singular form when referring to one organelle.

Word family

  • mitochondria
    noun (plural)C1
  • mitochondrial
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Organelle is the broadest term, covering any membrane-bound structure inside a cell — including the nucleus, ribosomes, and mitochondria. Mitochondrion is the specific name for the organelle that handles energy production through cellular respiration. Chloroplast is another type of energy-related organelle, but it is found only in plant cells and produces energy from sunlight rather than from nutrients. For example: 'Scientists study many types of organelles, but they focus on mitochondria when researching metabolic disorders.'

organelle ↗mitochondrion ↗chloroplast

Common collocations

Nouns

  • mitochondrion
  • mitochondria
  • mitochondrial DNA
  • mitochondrial function
  • mitochondrial disease

Phrases

  • structure and function of mitochondria
  • damage to mitochondria
  • number of mitochondria in a cell

Prepositions

  • in mitochondria
  • within mitochondria
  • of mitochondria
  • across the mitochondrial membrane

Etymology

GreekGermanEnglish

Coined in the late 19th century from Greek mitos (μίτος) meaning 'thread' and chondrion (χονδρίον) meaning 'small granule'. Scientists chose this name because early microscopists saw the organelle as tiny thread-like or granular structures inside cells.

First known use

1901

1901, in the meaning defined above