Mitochondrial Disorders
Definition
Mitochondrial disorders, also called mitochondrial cytopathies, are a diverse group of diseases caused by damage to small structures found in human cells that are essential in converting food to energy. The result is decreased energy production and associated symptoms.
Description
Cells are the building blocks of the human body, microscopic structures that are bound by a membrane and contain numerous components called organelles that are responsible for functions such as cell reproduction, transportation of materials, and protein synthesis. Cellular respiration, a process by which food molecules are converted into high-energy molecules used as a source of energy, takes place in structures called mitochondria. The energy produced by mitochondria is essential for cell...
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