Mitochondrial Diseases

10.07.2024

Mitochondrial Diseases

 Why in the news?   

A group of diseases that affect mitochondria's capacity to produce the energy organs need to function properly is known as mitochondrial disease (or Mito).

About Mitochondrial Disease:

• Mitochondrial diseases are a group of conditions that affect how mitochondria work in your body.

What are Mitochondria?

• Mitochondria are membrane-bound cell organelles that generate most of the chemical energy needed to power the cell's biochemical reactions.
• They make it by combining oxygen with the fuel molecules (sugars and fats) that come from your food.
• Chemical energy produced by the mitochondria is stored in a small molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
• Generally, mitochondria and therefore mitochondrial DNA, are inherited only from the mother.
• When the mitochondria are defective, the cells do not have enough energy. The unused oxygen and fuel molecules build up in the cells and cause damage.
• Mitochondrial diseases can affect almost any part of your body, including the cells of your Brain, Nerves, Muscles, Kidneys, Heart, Liver, Eyes, Ears and Pancreas.

Causes:

• Genetic mutations cause these primary mitochondrial diseases. They usually happen before age 20 and some are more common in infants.
• Mitochondrial dysfunction can also occur when mitochondria don’t work as well as they should due to another disease or condition. These are called secondary mitochondrial diseases.

Symptoms:

• The symptoms of mitochondrial disease can vary. It depends on how many mitochondria are defective and where they are in the body.
• Sometimes only one organ, tissue, or cell type is affected. But often, the problem affects many of them.
• Muscle and nerve cells have especially high energy needs, so muscular and neurological problems are common.

Treatment:

• There are no cures for these diseases, but treatments may help with symptoms and slow down the disease.
• They may include physical therapy, vitamins and supplements, special diets, and medicines.

                                                                    Source: Business standard

Ques :- Consider the following statements with reference to the Mitochondrial Diseases:

Statement-I

They can affect almost any part of the human body.

Statement-II

 There are no cures for these diseases, but treatments may help with symptoms and slow down the disease.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer A