Question

What can damage mitochondria?

Answer 1

Damage to mitochondria:

1. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or oxidative stress can damage mitochondria.
2. Oxidative stress can induce unwanted mitochondrial DNA mutations.
3. It can damage the mitochondrial respiratory chain and the electron transport system.
4. It can alter membrane permeability towards certain chemicals.
5. All these changes trigger neurodegeneration leading to diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, etc.
6. Along with these, mitochondrial damage also causes muscular dystrophy and cancer.