What does chondriosome mean?
A chondriosome is a small structure found inside the cells of living organisms, better known today by its modern name: the mitochondrion. Chondriosomes are often described as the power plants of the cell because they convert nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the chemical energy that fuels nearly all cellular activity. Each one is enclosed by two membranes, the inner of which folds into shelf-like projections that host the reactions of cellular respiration. Beyond energy production, chondriosomes carry their own small supply of DNA, which they inherit only through the maternal line — a fact central to studies of ancestry and evolution. The term itself derives from Greek elements meaning 'granule' and 'body'. Although 'chondriosome' has fallen out of everyday scientific use, replaced almost entirely by 'mitochondrion', it remains a useful word to recognise when reading early cytological research or tracing the history of cell biology.
nounA chondriosome is a mitochondrion — a small, membrane-bound organelle found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells that generates energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration. The term is an older, now largely historical synonym for mitochondrion.
- A mitochondrion; a double-membraned organelle in eukaryotic cells responsible for producing ATP through cellular respiration (chiefly in older or historical usage).
"Under the electron microscope, each chondriosome revealed the characteristic folded inner membranes where ATP is produced."
"Early twentieth-century cytologists mapped the distribution of chondriosomes throughout the cell's cytoplasm."
"Because each chondriosome carries its own DNA, it is thought to descend from ancient free-living bacteria."
The plural follows the regular English pattern of adding -s.
"Muscle cells are packed with chondriosomes to meet their constant demand for energy."
Before scientists settled on 'mitochondrion', these cellular power plants went by a different name — the chondriosome, from Greek roots meaning 'granule body'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chondriosome
The word chondriosome comes from the Greek diminutive 'chondrion', meaning 'small granule' (itself from 'chondros', 'cartilage' or 'grain'), combined with '-some', from Greek 'sōma', meaning 'body'. It was coined in late nineteenth- or early twentieth-century cytology as one of several competing names for the granular bodies later standardised as mitochondria. Related English borrowings from 'chondros' include 'chondrocyte' (a cartilage cell) and 'hypochondria' (literally 'beneath the cartilage', referring originally to the upper abdomen).
Related word forms
How chondriosome is actually used
"Chondriosome" is a technical and largely historical term; modern biology writing almost always uses "mitochondrion" (singular) or "mitochondria" (plural). It survives mainly in older scientific literature and in etymological discussions.
Easily confused with chondriosome
Chondriosome is an organelle that produces energy in cells, while chondrosarcoma is a malignant tumour arising from cartilage-forming cells.