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Do Mitochondria Numbers Increase During Adulthood?

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Posted on Wed, 29 Oct 2014
Question: Hi, i have question, during transition from child to adult our heart size increases (due to cardiac cell size increases). I would like to know if mitochondria numbers increase too ie adult cardiac cells have higher number of mitochondria than child cardiac cells?

secondly, organelles constantly turnovered...does this apply to mitochondria too?

doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Mitochondria increased in number and are turnover.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX

During transition from child to adulthood cardiac cell increase size and this is accompanied with increase of the size and numbers of mitochondria in order to produce necessary power energy (ATP) for cardiac cell.

Yes it's true that all organelles including mitochondria constantly turnover but for cardiac cell (including mitochondria) the turnover is a very slow process. During a life time only 50 % of cells and their organelles are turnover.

Hope this answered your queries!
Wish you health!
Dr. Benard


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)
Hello Dr Shehu thanks for reply. I know only 50% of cardiac cells turnover in life time. But i was led to believe the organelles turnover much quicker

So for example we have a 75 year old with 50% of his cardiac cells from birth still remaining...are the mitochondria in these particular cells also same ones from birth? ?

Best regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The turnover of organelles is slightly quicker...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Turnover of organelles is quasi the same as the turnover of the cell but, you are right, slightly quicker.

Dr.Benard
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (4 hours later)
Is there similar numbers of mitochondria in child cardiac cells as adult cardiac cells?

Kind regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Adult has an increased number of mitochondria...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back again!

As I mentioned at the beginning the transition to adulthood is accompanied with an increase in size and an increase in numbers of cardiac mitochondria.

The right answer is Adult heart cell has an increased number of mitochondria compared with child heart cell.

Wish you all the best!
Dr. Benard
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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Answered by
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Dr. Benard Shehu

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2257 Questions

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Do Mitochondria Numbers Increase During Adulthood?

Brief Answer: Mitochondria increased in number and are turnover. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX During transition from child to adulthood cardiac cell increase size and this is accompanied with increase of the size and numbers of mitochondria in order to produce necessary power energy (ATP) for cardiac cell. Yes it's true that all organelles including mitochondria constantly turnover but for cardiac cell (including mitochondria) the turnover is a very slow process. During a life time only 50 % of cells and their organelles are turnover. Hope this answered your queries! Wish you health! Dr. Benard