Changes

   

   

==Mitochondrial DNA==

==Mitochondrial DNA==

The mitochondrion is different from most other [[organelle]]s because it has its own circular [[DNA]] (similar to the [[DNA]] of [[prokaryote]]s) and reproduces independently of the cell in which it is found; an apparent case of [[endosymbiosis]]. Evolutionists hypothesize that millions of years ago small, free-living [[prokaryote]]s were engulfed, but not consumed, by larger [[prokaryote]]s, perhaps because they were able to resist the digestive enzymes of the host organism. The two organisms developed a symbiotic relationship over time, the larger organism providing the smaller with ample nutrients and the smaller organism providing [[ATP]] molecules to the larger one. Eventually, according to this view, the larger organism developed into the [[eukaryotic cell]] and the smaller organism into the mitochondrion.

The mitochondrion is different from most other [[organelle]]s because it has its own circular [[DNA]] (similar to the [[DNA]] of [[prokaryote]]s) and reproduces independently of the cell in which it is found; an apparent case of [[endosymbiosis]]. Evolutionists hypothesize that millions of years ago small, free-living [[prokaryote]]s were engulfed, but not consumed, by larger [[prokaryote]]s, perhaps because they were able to resist the digestive enzymes of the host organism. The two organisms developed a symbiotic relationship over time, the larger organism providing the smaller with ample nutrients and the smaller organism providing [[ATP]] molecules to the larger one. Eventually, according to this view, the larger organism developed into the [[eukaryotic cell]] and the smaller organism into the mitochondrion. Recent evidence supporting this few demonstrates that the innate mammalian immune system recognises mitochondrial DNA as foreign and mounts an immune response toward it. This, along with mitochondrial DNA genotyping, suggests that its origins are prokaryotic in nature.  

Mitochondrial [[DNA]] is localized to the matrix, which also contains a host of enzymes, as well as [[ribosome]]s for [[protein synthesis]]. Many of the critical metabolic steps of [[cellular respiration]] are catalyzed by enzymes that are able to diffuse through the mitochondrial matrix. The other proteins involved in respiration, including the enzyme that generates [[ATP]], are embedded within the mitochondrial inner membrane. Infolding of the [[cristae]] dramatically increases the surface area available for hosting the enzymes responsible for [[cellular respiration]].

Mitochondrial [[DNA]] is localized to the matrix, which also contains a host of enzymes, as well as [[ribosome]]s for [[protein synthesis]]. Many of the critical metabolic steps of [[cellular respiration]] are catalyzed by enzymes that are able to diffuse through the mitochondrial matrix. The other proteins involved in respiration, including the enzyme that generates [[ATP]], are embedded within the mitochondrial inner membrane. Infolding of the [[cristae]] dramatically increases the surface area available for hosting the enzymes responsible for [[cellular respiration]].