Word
mitochondria
Phoneticsmi·to·chon·dria
US/ˌmaɪtəˈkɑndɹiə/
UK/mˌaɪtəkˈɒndɹiə/
Definition
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).
Examples
“Mitochondria produce the energy that cells need to function.”
“Muscle cells contain a high density of mitochondria because they require constant energy to contract and move.”
“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.”
Examples
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.”
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.
Real-World Examples
Common in science writing
“These aggregates collect on mitochondria (the "powerhouses" of the cells), where they can interfere with normal function and cause damage.” “Basic biology courses teach that cells contain organelles—such as the nucleus, mitochondria and Golgi apparatus—set apart by lipid membranes to get things done.” “Mitochondria – the descendants of that ancient bacterium – exist in almost every cell in the body.” Etymology
From mitochondrion + -a.
See above.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/mitochondria