Chapter 17, Problem 54SA

Summary Introduction

To review:

Various mechanisms found in the mitochondria that help it protect itsdeoxyribonucleic acid(DNA).

Introduction:

In the mitochondrion of a cell, the electron transport chain (ETC) leads to the production of a largenumber of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The inner membrane of mitochondria (IMM) contains complexes for ETC and thus, the DNA of mitochondria is more prone to oxidative damage. As proposed by the mitochondrial free-radical theory of agin, gt has been found that oxidative damage of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) is a major cause of aging.