Scientists at Scripps Research have developed a set of techniques that allow for the detection and quantification of subtle structural changes in mitochondria, which are often observed in a variety of diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cancer. In a report published in the Journal of Cell Biology, the team explained that its toolkit allows for the detailed mapping and measurement of structural elements in individual mitochondria, including the bends of the inner membrane and gaps between membranes, which could be markers of important mitochondrial and cellular events.
- What are mitochondria best known for?
- a) Being the “brain” of cells
- b) Being the “muscles” of cells
- c) Being the “powerhouses” of cells
- d) Being the “skin” of cells
- What cellular functions are mitochondria involved in besides energy production?
- a) Digestion and absorption
- b) Transport and communication
- c) Cell division and cell-preserving responses to various types of stress
- d) Protein synthesis and cell differentiation
- What diseases have mitochondrial dysfunctions been observed in?
- a) Heart disease and stroke
- b) Diabetes and obesity
- c) Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and different cancers
- d) All of the above
- What is the name of the microscopy technique used by scientists to study mitochondria in three dimensions?
- a) Light microscopy
- b) Fluorescence microscopy
- c) Electron microscopy
- d) Cryo-electron tomography
- What is the name of the toolkit developed by the Grotjahn lab to process imaging data and map structural details of mitochondria?
- a) Surface morphometrics toolkit
- b) Cryo-electron tomography toolkit
- c) Mitochondrial function toolkit
- d) Cellular stress toolkit
- What type of cell stress is often seen in neurodegenerative diseases, and was used by the Grotjahn lab to demonstrate the toolkit?
- a) Mitochondrial stress
- b) Endoplasmic reticulum stress
- c) Oxidative stress
- d) Cellular senescence
- What is the potential use of the “surface morphometrics toolkit” developed by the Grotjahn lab?
- a) To detect and quantify structural and functional differences in mitochondria in healthy and diseased states
- b) To treat neurodegenerative diseases
- c) To map the human genome
- d) To study the effects of pollution on cellular health
ANSWERS
c) Being the “powerhouses” of cells
c) Cell division and cell-preserving responses to various types of stress
c) Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and different cancers
d) Cryo-electron tomography
a) Surface morphometrics toolkit
b) Endoplasmic reticulum stress
a) To detect and quantify structural and functional differences in mitochondria in healthy and diseased states