Mitochondria Flashcards
why are mitochondria referred to as powerhouses of the cell?
as provide most energy for cell function
what 5 parts form the structure of mitochondria?
outer mitochondrial membrane,
intermembrane space,
inner mitochondrial membrane,
cristae
matrix
What is found within the outer mitochondrial membrane? 2
- porins: small permeable molecules
- outer translocases TOMs: selective transport proteins
What is found within the intermembrane space of the mitochondria? 3
small molecules,
peptides
cytochrome C
what is cytochrome C (found in intermembrane space of the mitochondria)
protein essential for funtion of electron transport by transfer e- between complexes 3+4
what part of mitochondria is similar to cytosol in solute composition?
intermemb space
What is found within the inner mitochondrial membrane of the mitochondria?
- small IMpermeable molecules (selective transport)
- inner translocases TIMs: selective transport proteins
is the inner mitochondrial membrane impermeable or permeable to most small molecules?
impermeable
where can we find OXPHOS (electron transport complexes for oxidative phosphorylation)?
cristae
What is found within the matrix of the mitochondria?
- mtDNA
- mtRNA
- proteins
What is the structure of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)?
- circular double strand
- no introns
- packed in protein-DNA aggregates
How many copies of mtDNA exist in a mitochondrion?
multiple
what is meant by no introns? mtDNA
most of mtDNA encodes for a protein or a ribosome
most proteins for structure and function are encoded in the nuclear DNA and are imported via?
TOMs and TIMs
mitochondrial DNA has limited repair and is highly prone to damage (oxidative stress) and?
mutations
mtDNA is packed in nucleoids. What are nucleoids?
protein DNA aggregates
How many genes are within the mtDNA and what do they code for?
- 37 genes:
- 13 proteins for proteins of ETC, rRNA + all tRNAs
what is the role of TFAM (mitochondrial transcription factor A) ?
coats and stabilises mtDNA
regulates transcription/ replication
what is the specific replicative machinery of mtDNA known as?
replisome
the replisome of mitochondria is comprised of Twinkle, POLG…
what are these?
Twinkle: DNA helicase
POLG: DNA polymerase gamma
where is mtDNA replication primarily initiated?
D loop region non coding
role of Twinkle?
open the 2 strands of mtDNA
(DNA helicase)
what are the 3 safeguards of mitochondrial health for cell homeostasis?
mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy
whats mitochondrial dynamics?
fusion and fission
whats mitochondrial biogenesis
de novo synthesis (generation of new) of mitochondria
whats mitophagy?
removal of mitochondria in lysosomes by autophagy
Why are mitochondria said to be very dynamic organelles?
undergo fusion and fission
What molecules are involved in mitochondria dynamics?
Mitofusins, OPA1, Fis1, Drp1….
How are mitochondria dynamics related to bioenergetics status of cell?
- Fusion: more efficient for OXPHOS
- Fission: less efficient for OXPHOS - may be indicative of mitochondrial stress
what process can occur v quickly and can induce to cell stress and death?
mitoc. oxidation
What is the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis?
PGC-1a
(a TF that can be activated by diff molecular pathways e.g. AMPK)
How does PGC-1a regulate mitochondrial biogenesis?
- it translocates to cell nucleus to activate TFAM expression
- TFAM essential to coordinate mitochondrial biogenesis through mtDNA transcription/replication
What triggers mitophagy?
mitochondria being dysfunctional or damaged