chondriosome: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Historical Scientific
Quick answer
What does “chondriosome” mean?
A mitochondrion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mitochondrion; a membrane-bound organelle found in eukaryotic cells that generates most of the cell's supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), used as a source of chemical energy.
An older, now largely obsolete term for mitochondrion, used primarily in early 20th-century cytology and histology literature. The term reflects the granular (chondrio-) appearance of mitochondria under light microscopy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences in usage, as the term is equally obsolete in both British and American English scientific communities.
Connotations
Purely historical/archaic in both varieties.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency in modern texts for both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “chondriosome” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] chondriosome was observed.Researchers historically referred to the mitochondrion as a [chondriosome].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chondriosome” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The chondriosomal structures were stained.
- Chondriosomal morphology varies.
American English
- The chondriosomal structures were stained.
- Chondriosomal morphology varies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used only in historical contexts within biology, specifically in papers or textbooks discussing the history of cytology.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Obsolete technical term. Modern technical writing exclusively uses 'mitochondrion'/'mitochondria'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chondriosome”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chondriosome”
- Using 'chondriosome' in modern scientific writing.
- Confusing it with 'chromosome' due to the '-some' suffix.
- Assuming it is a different structure from a mitochondrion.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an obsolete historical term. The modern and exclusively used term is 'mitochondrion' or 'mitochondria' (plural).
The name derives from Greek 'chondrion' (granule) and 'soma' (body), referring to its granular appearance under early microscopes.
Only if you are studying the history of biology or reading very old scientific texts. For all practical modern purposes, learn 'mitochondrion'.
Yes, they refer to the same cellular organelle. 'Chondriosome' is the old name, 'mitochondrion' is the current name.
A mitochondrion.
Chondriosome is usually technical/historical scientific in register.
Chondriosome: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒndrɪəˌsəʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːndriəˌsoʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CHONDRIOSOME sounds like 'CONDRI-oh-soam'. Think: 'CONDRI' (like 'condry' - an old name) + 'SOME' (a body). It's the old name for the cellular 'body' we now call the mitochondrion.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE CELL'S OLD POWERPLANT NAME.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'chondriosome'?