mitochondria
nounUK /ˌmaɪtəˈkɒndriə/
US /ˌmaɪtəˈkɑːndriə/
Tiny parts inside a cell that turn food into energy for the body.
Mitochondria work like little power plants inside our cells.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The plural form of mitochondrion, a single one of these cell parts.
Each mitochondrion has its own small set of DNA.
3. In biology, the site of cellular respiration where oxygen is used to make energy.
Muscle cells contain many mitochondria because they need lots of energy.
4. A topic in genetics because mitochondrial DNA is passed down from the mother.
Scientists study mitochondrial DNA to trace family history.