What is the connection between mitochondrial DNA and energy production and cell division?

Answer 1

The main function of a mitochondrion in a cell is to metabolise sugars to produce ATP (Adenosine TriPhosphate). ATP is the main energy carrying molecule. This is also the function of chloroplasts in plant cells but they get their energy to do this from light instead of sugar. Mitochondrion is the singular of Mitochondria. When an enzyme needs energy to perform some function, it grabs an ATP molecule and takes the energy from it. When this happens an ADP (Adenosine DiPhosphate molecule) and a phosphate are produced. (Tri means three and Di means two). There is more energy in ATP than ADP so the amount of energy the enzyme gets is this difference. In some reactions, if a little more energy is needed, AMP (Adenosine MonoPhosphate) and 2 phosphates are produced instead. The ADP or AMP and phosphates float around in the cell until they meet a mitochondrion or a (chloroplast in plants) where they are turned back into ATP using the energy sources described above. Each cell contains many mitochondria. The mitochondria can join together or split apart. The same for the chloroplasts. Mitochondria have their own DNA as do chloroplasts. The DNA of both mitochondria and plastids (chloroplasts, chromoplasts, leucoplasts etc.) is more similar to the Prokayrotes (Bacteria) than it is to the nuclear DNA in Eukaryotic cells. In most Eukaryotic cells, the mitochondria of the mother is the one which is inherited by the offspring. Eukaryotic cell division occurs in two forms, Mitosis and Meiosis. In mitosis, the cell first doubles the chromosomes then divides into two, each half taking their copy of the chromosomes. This can not occur until there is enough energy to do so, that is, there is enough ATP. Because the mitochondria are spread throughout the cytoplasm, some will make it to each of the halves carrying their DNA with them. Meiosis is the method by which offspring can inherit characters from both mother and father and is the process used to produce sperm and eggs in the reproductive system. Again, this can not occur unless there is enough energy.

Answer 2

whats the connection between mitochondria,dna and energy production,and cell division