How are the physiological properties of mitochondria measured?
This is my first question on BiologySE. I am a Physics and Mathematics student currently doing a project on cell growth simulation. I am doing literature survey and I have a question about cellular biology experimental methods.I understand that the membrane potential is a measure of mitochondrial functionality (higher potential means more efficient electron transport chain). Additionally, the mitochondrial volume is also an indicator of mitochondrial efficiency (higher volume, higher area, more places to do electron transport).I would like to have some points elucidated.In particular, can these mitochondrial membrane potential and volume...- be measured for a single cell, or only in a population?- be measured non-destructively, leaving the cell alive?- be measured simultaneously, or experiments measuring one necessarily make the other unavailable? I am thinking mostly of *in vitro* experiments of course.
...be measured for a single cell, or only in a population?
These experiments can only be done on a population of cells. Usually, this data is extrapolated to predict the activity of one cell. Also take note that different cell types have different number of mitochondria.
...be measured non-destructively, leaving the cell alive?
Unfortunately, all these experiments will involve destroying the cell to gather the mitochondria to complete analytical experiments.
..be measured simultaneously, or experiments measuring one necessarily make the other unavailable?
I am not that well-versed in mitochondrial experimental techniques but if I have to guess I would say it depends on the design of your experiment.
