Mitochondria

By
Dr. Shereen Hamed
Lecturer of Histology & Cell Biology Faculty of
Medicine, Mansoura University
 LM of Mitochondria
Shape:
• Rods
• Granules
• Filaments
 LM of Mitochondria
Stain:
• H. & E.: not seen.
• Iron H.: dark blue.
• Histochemically: Succinic
dehydrogenase activity.
 Number
• Number: active cells e.g. liver cell contain
1000.
• A small lymphocyte has few mitochondria.
 EM
• double membranous vesicles

• The outer membrane is

smooth permeable to small
molecules and ions like
pyruvate.

• The inner one is thrown into

folds in the matrix called
shelves or cristae
 The inner membrane

• contains all respiratory and

electron transport enzymes.

• Using a negative stained

method

• The inner membrane shows tiny

spherical projections called
elementary particles
 elementary particles
• Or inner membrane
spheres.
• They represent sites for
enzymes of
phosphorylation.
 The matrix

• Substance occupying the

intramembranous space
enclosed by the inner
membrane.

• More electron dense

than cytoplasm.
 The matrix
• Contains electron dense granules called
matrix granules that are rich in Ca++ or Mg++
cations.

• Contains the enzymes of citric acid cycle

(Kreb's cycle)

• Mitochondrial DNA and RNA.

 Functions of mitochondria
1. Provides the cell with ATP (contain the
enzymes of Kreb's citric acid cycle and the
electron transport respiratory enzymes).

2. ATP provides the cell with the energy needed

for the different vital processes and activities.
 Functions of mitochondria

3.Contain DNA so they can divide and increase

their number according to cell requirement.

4.Sites for β oxidation of short chain fatty

acids.
 The Mitochondria
• Membranous cell organelles , the power
house of the cell

• Provide the cell with ATP

• Their life span is 10 days.

 References
• Principles of histology, (student book of
Histology & Cell Biology Department, faculty
of medicine, Mansoura university)

• Basic Histology, text book of histology & cell

biology

• Prof.dr. Samar Asker’s short notes