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Are mitochondria asexual?

Are mitochondria asexual?

Mitochondria cannot be made “from scratch” because they need both mitochondrial and nuclear gene products. These organelles replicate by dividing in two, using a process similar to the simple, asexual form of cell division employed by bacteria.

Why do we get mitochondrial DNA from only our mothers?

In sexual reproduction, during the course of fertilization event only nuclear DNA is transferred to the egg cell while rest all other things destroyed. And this is the reason which proves that Mitochondrial DNA inherited from mother only.

Does mitochondria reproduce on its own?

Mitochondrial reproduction is not autonomous (self-governed), however, as is bacterial reproduction. Most of the components required for mitochondrial division are encoded as genes within the eukaryotic (host) nucleus and translated into proteins by the cytoplasmic ribosomes of the host cell.

How structure of mitochondria relates to its function?

The structure of the mitochondrion is adapted to the function it performs: Outer membrane – the outer membrane contains transport proteins that enable the shuttling of pyruvate from the cytosol. Inner membrane – contains the electron transport chain and ATP synthase (used for oxidative phosphorylation)

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Is mitochondrial DNA inherited from mother only?

A tenet of elementary biology is that mitochondria — the cell’s powerhouses — and their DNA are inherited exclusively from mothers. A provocative study suggests that fathers also occasionally contribute.

Do mitochondria reproduce by binary fission?

Mitochondria can divide by prokaryotic binary fission and since they require mitochondrial DNA for their function, fission is coordinated with DNA replication. Mitochondrial fission has significant implications in stress response and apoptosis.

What were the ancestors of mitochondria according to the Endosymbiotic theory?

According to the endosymbiotic theory, mitochondria are descendants of ancient α-proteobacteria and were incorporated into a proto-eukaryote host (Esser and Martin, 2007; Pisani et al., 2007; Figure 6).