Mitosome
/ˈmaɪ.tə.soʊm/noun
A highly reduced mitochondrion-like organelle found in some anaerobic or microaerophilic eukaryotic organisms.
Did you know?Mitosomes are thought to descend from mitochondria, yet many no longer produce ATP, making them evolutionary remnants with specialized survival roles.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mei-
“To change or exchange; a proposed deeper root associated with Greek forms related to alteration and measured transformation.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μίτος (mitos)
“Thread or filament.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σῶμα (sōma)
“Body.”
19th Century
Scientific Greek
-soma
“A combining form meaning body, used in biological and anatomical terminology.”
1999
Scientific English
mitosome
“A name introduced for a highly reduced mitochondrion-like organelle in certain anaerobic eukaryotes.”
Modern English
English
mitosome
“A specialized, mitochondrion-derived organelle that performs limited functions rather than ordinary cellular energy production.”
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