Fusion, fission and mitophagy keep the mitochondrial population healthy.
Fusion (mitofusins, OPA1) mixes contents; fission (Drp1) isolates damaged parts; PINK1 and Parkin tag damaged mitochondria for mitophagy. Defects are implicated in Parkinson's and neuropathies.
Mitochondria form networks; fission segregates damaged regions. Mitophagy removes defective ones. Dynamics respond to energy demand.
Key idea: mitochondria are dynamic organelles, not static bean shapes.
Fusion, fission and mitophagy keep the mitochondrial population healthy.
Mitochondrial Dynamics is one of the 53 topics in Metabolism & Bioenergetics. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Bioenergetics of Muscle, Proton Motive Force, Metabolism.
Exercise stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis through PGC-1α.
Work through the Beginner topics in Metabolism & Bioenergetics first, such as Metabolism, Anabolism and Catabolism, ATP, then return to Mitochondrial Dynamics. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Mitochondrial Dynamics are Bioenergetics of Muscle, Proton Motive Force, Metabolism, Oxygen Debt and Recovery. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Mitochondrial Dynamics. To practise the whole of Metabolism & Bioenergetics, use the Metabolism & Bioenergetics quiz.
Mitochondrial Dynamics: Fusion, fission and mitophagy keep the mitochondrial population healthy. Bioenergetics of Muscle: Phosphocreatine, glycolysis and oxidative metabolism supply ATP at different timescales of exercise. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Bioenergetics of Muscle and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Metabolism & Bioenergetics quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Phosphocreatine, glycolysis and oxidative metabolism supply ATP at different timescales of exercise.
⚡ Metabolism & BioenergeticsThe combined chemical and electrical gradient of protons that powers ATP synthase and transport.
⚡ Metabolism & BioenergeticsThe sum of all chemical reactions in an organism, including anabolic building and catabolic breakdown.
⚡ Metabolism & BioenergeticsExtra oxygen consumption after exercise restores ATP and phosphocreatine and clears lactate.
⚡ Metabolism & Bioenergetics