Cell Biology
Mitochondria
Membrane-bound organelles in eukaryotic cells that generate most of the cell's ATP through cellular respiration. Often called the 'powerhouses' of the cell.
Biological Context
Mitochondria were once free-living bacteria that became permanent symbionts within ancestral eukaryotic cells (endosymbiosis). They retain their own DNA and reproduce independently within cells. Mitochondrial function affects aging, disease, and metabolic capacity.