How are mitochondria replicated?

[Deepa100]

I understand the cell division but don't quite understand how the mitochondria get replicated. Can some one she some light?

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[AsuKa]

I don't think you need to know the specifics, but mitochondria have their own circular DNA and ribosomes so they can make proteins and obviously encode for genes.

Hope it heped

 

[DrMattOglesby]

what you should be familiar with is the theory that mitochondria were phagocytosed by some eukaryote a long time ago. This is more or less referred to as the endosymbiont theory.
what is key to understand is that mitochondria were considered to be a separate prokaryote that was swallowed by a eukaryote. Thus it retained many of its prokaryotic characteristics such as dividing by transverse binary fission. It did this by virtue of having its own circular DNA called a plasmid.

 

[Kaustikos]

Sorry about the...vague response.
Anyways. Think of Mitochondria EXACTLY as you think of Bacteria. They both have so many similar characteristics that it's a safe bet to use this thinking for the MCAT. They both use binary fission for division. The MCAT will not test you on any discrete/advanced concepts of Mitochondria beyond this and knowing about energy production.

Just remember that Mitochondria - binary fission. Endosymbiosis. Dinitrophenol <--kidding.

 

[Deepa100]

Sorry about the...vague response.
Anyways. Think of Mitochondria EXACTLY as you think of Bacteria. They both have so many similar characteristics that it's a safe bet to use this thinking for the MCAT. They both use binary fission for division. The MCAT will not test you on any discrete/advanced concepts of Mitochondria beyond this and knowing about energy production.

Just remember that Mitochondria - binary fission. Endosymbiosis. Dinitrophenol <--kidding.

Thanks!

 

[NigerianBull87]

Mitochondria replicate by binary fission. That is why they are thought to have arrived from prokaryotes.

 

[singh12]

just a fun fact
mtDNA is almost always inherted from maternal side because the mitochondria from the sperm is degraded during fertilization.