The genes you don't get from your parents (but can't live without) - Devin Shuman

TL;DR

Mitochondria, separate yet interconnected, are vital organelles found in all living organisms that convert energy, have their own DNA, and can vary across species.

Transcript

Inside our cells, each of us has a second set of genes completely separate from the 23 pairs of chromosomes we inherit from our parents. And this isn’t just the case for humans— it’s true of every animal, plant, and fungus, and nearly every multicellular organism on Earth. This second genome belongs to our mitochondria, an organelle inside our cel... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫒 Mitochondria are present in all living organisms and have their own DNA.
• 🖐️ They play a crucial role in producing energy for cells.
• ❓ Mitochondrial DNA is inherited only from the mother and can vary across species.
• 👻 The dynamic nature of mitochondria allows for changes in mitochondrial DNA throughout an individual's life and body.
• ❓ Mitochondria's evolution is intertwined with the organisms they inhabit, but they also have their own timeline.
• 👻 Mitochondria possess their own genome but rely on instructions from the host's DNA.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the role of mitochondria in our cells?

Mitochondria are responsible for converting the energy from the food we eat and oxygen we breathe into a form of energy (ATP) that our cells can utilize.

Q: Why do not all cells in our body have mitochondria?

Mature red blood cells do not have mitochondria because their main function is to transport oxygen, which would be consumed by mitochondria before reaching its destination.

Q: How does mitochondrial DNA vary across species?

Mitochondrial DNA varies across species, with mammals generally having 37 genes, some plants like cucumbers having up to 65 genes, and certain fungi having only 1 gene in their mitochondria.

Q: Can mitochondrial DNA change throughout an individual's life?

Yes, as mitochondria have their own replication process and can divide and fuse themselves, the random selection of mitochondrial DNA inherited from the mother can change throughout an individual's life and body.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Mitochondria are unique organelles found in our cells that convert energy from food and oxygen into usable energy for our cells.

• They have their own DNA, separate from our nuclear DNA, and vary across species in terms of the number of genes they possess.

• Mitochondrial DNA is inherited only from the mother and can change throughout an individual's life and body due to their dynamic nature.