Mitohondrije su površine obično između 0,75 i 3 μm2,[6] ali se značajno razlikuju po veličini i strukturi. Osim ako nisu posebno obojene, nisu vidljive. Osim snabdijevanja ćelijskom energijom, mitohondrije su uključene u druge funkcije, kao što su signalizacija, ćelijska diferencijacija i ćelijska smrt, kao i održavanje kontrole [ [ćelijski ciklus|ćelijskog ciklusa]] i ćelijskog rasta.[2]
^Valero T (2014). "Mitochondrial biogenesis: pharmacological approaches". Current Pharmaceutical Design. 20 (35): 5507–9. doi:10.2174/138161282035140911142118. hdl:10454/13341. PMID24606795. Mitochondrial biogenesis is therefore defined as the process via which cells increase their individual mitochondrial mass [3]. ... Mitochondrial biogenesis occurs by growth and division of pre-existing organelles and is temporally coordinated with cell cycle events [1].
^Sanchis-Gomar F, García-Giménez JL, Gómez-Cabrera MC, Pallardó FV (2014). "Mitochondrial biogenesis in health and disease. Molecular and therapeutic approaches". Current Pharmaceutical Design. 20 (35): 5619–33. doi:10.2174/1381612820666140306095106. PMID24606801. Mitochondrial biogenesis (MB) is the essential mechanism by which cells control the number of mitochondria
^Gardner A, Boles RG (2005). "Is a 'Mitochondrial Psychiatry' in the Future? A Review". Curr. Psychiatry Rev. 1 (3): 255–271. doi:10.2174/157340005774575064.
^Lesnefsky EJ, Moghaddas S, Tandler B, Kerner J, Hoppel CL (juni 2001). "Mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiac disease: ischemia--reperfusion, aging, and heart failure". Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. 33 (6): 1065–89. doi:10.1006/jmcc.2001.1378. PMID11444914.