Answer to Question #107904 in Human Anatomy and Physiology for gioia abreu

Question

Mitochondrial Myopathy is a disease that damages the mitochondria in muscle cells, and typically leads to exercise intolerance and muscle atrophy, among many other symptoms. Explain the role of the mitochondria in muscle tissue, and how damage can lead to exercise intolerance and muscle atrophy.

Answer 1

Mitochondria are cellular organelles that control the energy metabolism of the cell. Muscle fibers have hundreds to thousands of mitochondria. One of the main function of mitochondria is to produce ATP that is used further in multiple enzymatic reactions. Similarly, in muscle fibers, ATP is used to provide the movements of muscle filaments (actin and myosin) that enable muscle contraction. As a result, ATP serves as a source of energy for the proper functions of muscles while mitochondria are organelles that produce this energy source in high amounts. As a result, mitochondria damage in muscles leads to significant ATP deficiency resulting in exercise intolerance and muscle atrophy.