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Related Concept Videos

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
Electron Transport Chains01:28

Electron Transport Chains

The final stage of cellular respiration is oxidative phosphorylation that consists of two steps: the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis. The electron transport chain is a set of proteins found in the inner mitochondrial membrane in eukaryotic cells. Its primary function is to establish a proton gradient that can be used during chemiosmosis to produce ATP and generate electron carriers, such as NAD+ and FAD, that are used in glycolysis and the citric acid cycle.
The ETC is comprised of...
Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...
Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...
The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane01:28

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

The inner mitochondrial membrane is the primary site of ATP synthesis. The inner membrane domain that forms a smooth layer adjacent to the outer membrane is called the inner boundary membrane. This domain contains membrane transporters that drive metabolites in and out of the mitochondria.  In contrast, the inner membrane network that invaginates into the matrix space is called the cristae membrane. This domain accounts for principle mitochondrial function as it accommodates the protein...
The Supercomplexes in the Crista Membrane01:41

The Supercomplexes in the Crista Membrane

The mitochondrial cristae membrane is the primary site for the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) process of energy conversion mediated through respiratory complexes I to V. These complexes have been widely studied for decades, and it has been proven that they form supramolecular structures called respiratory supercomplexes (SC). These higher-order complexes may be crucial in maintaining the biochemical structure and improving the physiological activity of the individual complexes while...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Simultaneous Measurement of Mitochondrial Calcium and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Live Cells by Fluorescent Microscopy
08:43

Simultaneous Measurement of Mitochondrial Calcium and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Live Cells by Fluorescent Microscopy

Published on: January 24, 2017

Cadmium and mitochondria.

Giuseppe Cannino1, Elisa Ferruggia, Claudio Luparello

  • 1Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo "A.Monroy", University of Palermo, Italy.

Mitochondrion
|August 27, 2009
PubMed
Summary

This review highlights how the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) damages mitochondria, the cell's powerhouses. Understanding these mitochondrial effects is key to explaining cadmium toxicity in humans.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Cell Biology
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal pollutant from industrial processes, cigarette smoke, and contaminated food/water.
  • Cd exposure negatively impacts human and animal health, primarily affecting the kidney, liver, and vascular system.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms and cellular targets of Cd toxicity remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances on the effects of cadmium on mammalian cell mitochondria.
  • To elucidate the cellular and molecular interactions between cadmium and cells.
  • To emphasize mitochondrial alterations as crucial events in cadmium-induced cytotoxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent scientific publications.

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Visualization of Mitochondrial Respiratory Function using Cytochrome C Oxidase / Succinate Dehydrogenase (COX/SDH) Double-labeling Histochemistry
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Visualization of Mitochondrial Respiratory Function using Cytochrome C Oxidase / Succinate Dehydrogenase (COX/SDH) Double-labeling Histochemistry

Published on: November 23, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Simultaneous Measurement of Mitochondrial Calcium and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Live Cells by Fluorescent Microscopy
08:43

Simultaneous Measurement of Mitochondrial Calcium and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Live Cells by Fluorescent Microscopy

Published on: January 24, 2017

Visualization of Mitochondrial Respiratory Function using Cytochrome C Oxidase / Succinate Dehydrogenase (COX/SDH) Double-labeling Histochemistry
06:53

Visualization of Mitochondrial Respiratory Function using Cytochrome C Oxidase / Succinate Dehydrogenase (COX/SDH) Double-labeling Histochemistry

Published on: November 23, 2011

  • Analysis of cellular and molecular studies on cadmium exposure.
  • Focus on research detailing cadmium's impact on mitochondrial function.

    • Main Results:

    • Cadmium significantly impacts mitochondria, the primary energy producers in cells.
    • Mitochondria are identified as key intracellular targets for cadmium toxicity.
    • Cadmium exposure leads to specific alterations within mitochondria, contributing to overall cell damage.

    Conclusions:

    • Mitochondrial dysfunction is a central mechanism underlying cadmium cytotoxicity.
    • Understanding cadmium's effects on mitochondria provides a basis for explaining its toxicological impact.
    • Further research into cadmium-mitochondria interactions is essential for understanding cadmium toxicity.