Session 13 - Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Question 1

What processes does Mitochondria undergo to maintain shape, distribution and size?

Answer 1

Coordinated cycles of fission and fusion referred to as mitochondrial dynamics

Question 2

What is any cell membrane made of and what is mitochondria membrane made from?

Answer 2

Phospholipids (EPA/DHA)

Question 3

What are the 4 dynamic activities mitochondria follow?

Answer 3

fusion: joining of 2 organelles into 1
fission: the division of a single organelle into two
transport: directed movement within a cell
mitophagy: targeted destruction via autophagy

Question 4

What does the inner membrane of a mitochondria contain?

Answer 4

Cardiolipin - phospholipid that has higher affinity for inner membrane proteins

Question 5

What supplement is important for mitochondrial function?

Answer 5

Choline (not a vitamin or mineral) - eggs are rich in choline

Question 6

Where are the components of the ETC located?

Answer 6

In the inner membrane

Question 7

What are mitochondria important for?

Answer 7

Cellular processes such as cell cycle
Autography
Redox signalling
Stem cells reprogramming
Apoptosis (programmed cell death)
ATP production

Question 8

Is depression, anxiety and bipolar associated to mitochondrial dysfunction in their brain cells?

Answer 8

True - it mitochondrial cells cannot product ATP, brain cells do not make ATP and get energy.

Question 9

What supplements can strengthen mitochondrial function to generate ATP?

Answer 9

CoQ10
DIM (active compound in broccoli)
NAC

Question 10

List 4 diseases associated with mitochondria dysfunction

Answer 10

Anxiety
Depression
Diabetes
Alzheimers

Question 11

Why do mitochondria demonstrate a dynamic range of activities?

Answer 11

To support cellular process

Maintain Shape & Size

Question 12

T/F - Mitophagy is crucial for mitochondrial function

Answer 12

True - mitophagy is the selective self-destruction of mitochondria

Question 13

T/F in the mitochondria cytochrome C are located in the outer membrane

Answer 13

False - intermembrane space

Question 14

The electron transport chain is located where?

Answer 14

Inner mitochondrial membrane

Question 15

Why are mitochondria vital for human function?

Answer 15

Mitochondria are vital for human immune function because mitochondrial DNA acts as a signal for immune cells, mitochondrial fusion and fission activate immune cells and intermediates of CAC cycle generated in the mitochondria influence immune cell response.

Question 16

Which of nutrients are essential for quenching the free radicals that are generated during ETC?

Answer 16

Glutathione

Question 17

Which enzyme complex in the ETC requires copper?

Answer 17

Complex IV, or Cytochrome c Oxidase, is involved in the reduction of O2 to H2O. It is the last electron acceptor of the respiratory chain.

Question 18

What is main consequence of mitochondrial dysfunction

Answer 18

Low production of ATP and subsequent fatigue is the main consequence of mitochondrial dysfunction

Question 19

Which nutrients act as cofactors in most of the energy pathways?

Answer 19

Vitamins B1, B2 and B3 act as cofactors in most of the energy pathways and are therefore essential for preventing mitochondrial dysfunction.

Question 20

What micronutrients play crucial roles in energy metabolism and ATP production?

Answer 20

B1, B2, B3, B6, ascorbic acid, a-tocopherol, selenium, zinc, coq10, carnitine, nitrate, lipoic acid, taurine (cofactors)

B vitamins & lipoic acid essential for krebs cycle.
Selenium, a-tocopherol, coq10 and caffeine