First Known Use: 1901
Dictionary
mitochondrion
noun mi·to·chon·dri·on \ˌmī-tə-ˈkän-drē-ən\
plural mi·to·chon·dria\-drē-ə\
Definition of MITOCHONDRION
: any of various round or long cellular organelles of most eukaryotes that are found outside the nucleus, produce energy for the cell through cellular respiration, and are rich in fats, proteins, and enzymes — see cell illustration
— mi·to·chon·dri·al \-drē-əl\ adjective
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Origin of MITOCHONDRION
New Latin, from Greek mitos thread + chondrion, diminutive of chondros grain
MITOCHONDRIAL Defined for Kids
mitochondrion
noun mi·to·chon·dri·on \ˌmī-tə-ˈkän-drē-ən\
plural mi·to·chon·dria \-drē-ə\
Definition of MITOCHONDRION for Kids
: one of the parts found in the cytoplasm of a cell outside the nucleus that provides the cell with energy released from the breakdown of nutrients
Medical Dictionary
mitochondrion
noun mi·to·chon·dri·on \ˌmīt-ə-ˈkän-drē-ən\
plural mi·to·chon·dria \-drē-ə\
Medical Definition of MITOCHONDRION
: any of various round or long cellular organelles of most eukaryotes that are found outside the nucleus, produce energy for the cell through cellular respiration, and are rich in fats, proteins, and enzymes—called also chondriosome
—mi·to·chon·dri·al \-drē-əl\ adjective
—mi·to·chon·dri·al·ly \-ē\ adverb
Illustration of MITOCHONDRION
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