ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mitochondria

n. plural-only
C1 Advanced US //ˌmaɪtəˈkɑndɹiə// UK //mˌaɪtəkˈɒndɹiə// mi·to·chon·dria

n. the parts of a cell that turn food and oxygen into energy. They are often called the power plants of the cell.

n. organelles found in large numbers in most cells, in which the biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur. They possess their own genome and are responsible for generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP).


SIMPLE

Mitochondria produce the energy that cells need to function.

CONTEXTUAL

Muscle cells contain a high density of mitochondria because they require constant energy to contract and move.

COMPLEX

The endosymbiotic theory suggests that mitochondria originated as independent prokaryotic organisms that were eventually engulfed by larger cells, forming a permanent and mutually beneficial relationship.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From mitochondrion + -a.

Etymology 2

See above.

Usage

The plural form of 'mitochondrion'; takes a plural verb in scientific and formal writing.

Pitfall

The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell.The mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell.Mitochondria is a plural noun; it requires a plural verb and plural complements.

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