For my most recent drawings I get the inspiration from the multifaceted functions of mitochondria and their contributions to the cellular metabolism. Mitochondria, the “powerhouse of the cell”, were first discovered in 1857 by Swiss physiologist Albert von Kölliker who studied them in insect muscles. In my opinion, the most fascinating fact about mitochondria is their origin as bacterium. The widely accepted endosymbiotic theory states that mitochondria originate from a-proteobacteria that was engulfed by an eucaryotic host cell.  The transition to a highly oxidizing atmosphere in early earth development created a selective pressure that favored organisms with respiratory capacity such as mitochondria. This selective pressure has kept these organelles as an inseparable part of the cell and molded the entire cellular metabolism to be compartmentalized between mitochondria and other parts of the cell. 

Mitochondria are the main energy suppliers, producing roughly 90% of the cellular chemical energy reserve in a form of ATP. Mitochondria converge energy from nutrients into ATP by using oxidative phosphorylation. In addition to ATP, mitochondria produce metabolic precursors for macromolecules such as lipids, proteins, DNA and RNA. Mitochondria can adapt to changes in the energy requirements of the cell by adjusting their size and distribution. These organelles exhibit remarkable plasticity by adapting their volume, structure, and function in response to chronic exercise, disuse, aging, and disease. 

In the muscle, such as in insect’s flight muscle, mitochondria form interconnected networks that act like small cellular batteries, using an electrical voltage across their membranes to create ATP. Exercise increases mitochondria volume, distribution and changes the metabolic preferences, whereas prolonged disuse can lead to reduction in mitochondrial volume and function.