Mitochondrial matrix
Mitochondrial Matrix
The Mitochondrial Matrix (/maɪtoʊkɒndriəl 'meɪtrɪks/), is the substance located inside the inner membrane of the mitochondrion and contains the organelle's DNA, ribosomes, soluble enzymes, small organic molecules, nucleotide cofactors, and inorganic ions.
Etymology
The term "Mitochondrial Matrix" is derived from the Greek words 'mitos' meaning thread, and 'chondros' meaning granule, referring to the appearance of mitochondria under a microscope. The word 'matrix' is Latin for womb, indicating the nurturing and life-giving properties of the matrix.
Function
The Mitochondrial Matrix is the site of most of the chemical reactions of cellular respiration. It contains a highly concentrated mixture of hundreds of enzymes, special mitochondrial ribosomes, tRNA, and several copies of the mitochondrial DNA genome. Much of the protein machinery needed for replication, transcription, and translation of the mitochondrial DNA resides in the matrix, as do many of the enzymes involved in metabolism.
Related Terms
- Mitochondrion: The organelle in which the Mitochondrial Matrix is located.
- Cellular Respiration: The process that takes place within the Mitochondrial Matrix.
- Mitochondrial DNA: The DNA located within the Mitochondrial Matrix.
- Mitochondrial Ribosome: The ribosomes found within the Mitochondrial Matrix.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mitochondrial matrix
- Wikipedia's article - Mitochondrial matrix
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski