Mitochondrion (noun)

A membrane-bound organelle found in most eukaryotic cells, responsible for generating most of the cell's supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), used as a source of chemical energy.

Origin:

Late 19th century: from greek mitos "thread" + khondrion "granule".

Examples:

1. Mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell.
2. Defects in the mitochondria have been linked to several human diseases.
3. Mitochondria contain their own genetic material separate from that of the cell's nucleus.
4. Mitochondria play a critical role in the process of cellular respiration.
5. The mitochondrion is a unique organelle in that it has its own DNA and can reproduce independently of the cell.