Mitochondrion

Mitochondria and caspases are essential elements of the controlling mechanism of apoptosis 1. Caspases, a family of enzymes that are key effectors of apoptosis, are cysteine proteases that cut after aspartic acid residues. Several of these enzymes, like caspase 3 and caspase 7, are responsible for many of the effects of apoptosis. These effects include cell shrinkage, PS externalization, and membrane microvesiculation 2-5. Cytochrome C, a component of the electron transport chain, is normally…

Participation in disease progression A variety of diseases including stroke, atherosclerosis, diabetes, ischemic heart diseases and neurodegenerative diseases are caused from the disturbances in mitochondrial functions. The production of peroxynitrite occurs either within mitochondria or may achieved from extra mitochondrial compartments. Peroxynitrite inhibits Mn-SOD by nitration (MacMillan-Crow LA and Thompson, 1999) and thus checking the breaking of nearby formed superoxide that further…

The idea that free radicals, and in particular reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced from normal metabolism could be the primary cause of aging was proposed by Harman in the early 1950s. Years after proposing the Free Radical Theory of Aging, Harman updated this theory with the “mitochondrial theory of aging” (Lee and Wei 2012, Bereiter-Hahn 2014), proposing that mitochondria accumulates oxidative damage caused by ROS toxicity as the organism ages. The reactive oxygen species produced from…

1. Introduction Alzheimer’s disease can be characterized as a neurodegenerative disease where an individual suffers from progressive loss of memory and basic mental functions. Because researchers cannot pinpoint a specific factor that causes Alzheimer’s disease, many theories exist regarding its causation. One such theory, the dysfunction mitochondria within an individual’s brain cells, the organelle’s DNA mutation, and the implications these two variables have on the causation of Alzheimer’s…

Adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) is a mitochondrial lipid dependent membrane bound enzyme and principle donor of free energy in the living system. Any alteration in membrane lipids leads to changes in membrane fluidity, which in turn alters the ATPase activity and cellular function. The use of ATPase level measurement was considered as an appropriate index of membrane damage. Pathological processes that interfere with the production of ATP may interfere with sodium pump activity, which in turn…

31 - Describe the biochemistry of the Cori cycle and the glucose–alanine cycle. How are they regulated and under what physiological conditions are they activated? The Cori cycle and glucose-alanine cycle are two mechanisms that involve cycling of nutrients between the liver and muscle. Lactate and alanine are two glucogenic molecules that are each converted to pyruvate via a series of enzymatic reactions in the liver to ultimately be converted to glucose via gluconeogenesis and transported…

Mitochondria are organelles found in eukaryotes obtained through endosymbiosis with prokaryotes billions of years ago. They are organelles with their own DNA and outer and inner membrane and few organelles, because they lost many of their organelles to the Nuclear DNA of the eukaryotes which resulted them being dependent of the cell they live in This endosymbiosis is very crucial for eukaryotes survival since mitochondria produce the energy needed for the cell to survive through oxidative…

Mitochondria are essential for cell viability. Without functioning mitochondria, the cell cannot be supplied with the energy it needs to survive. Mitochondrial function relies heavily on import of proteins; this is because the proteome is almost exclusively encoded by nuclear genes (Weidberg). When import is prohibited, the mitochondria will send out several mitochondria-to-nucleus signals to try and resolve the issue. The first pathway mentioned in the article is the mtUPR (Mito-Nucleus…

The human body is made up of thousands of cells, each with a defined genetic program that allows them to work synchronically to regulate the metabolic and physiological processes required by the organism. All cells die (not accidentally), because in old age or because they are Cell death by apoptosis plays a crucial role in tissue development and homeostasis. This process is carried out through mitochondrial permeabilization and the activation of caspases. The condensation of chromatin and the…

Organisms are composed of countless eukaryotic cells each with a set niche to make sure the body stays balanced. Form their inception cells are programmed like a computer to provide necessary functions for a person’s body. Along the lines of being like a computer all cells need power to operate. Inside the cell its organelles help the cell attain the fuel it needs to operate. Within these group of organelles is what has been aptly named the, “power plant”, of cells for it takes nutrients and…