Mitochondrial Fusion and Fission.
Mitochondrial fusion is an event where the membranes of two distinct mitochondria fully merge resulting in one organelle, while fission is the separation of an individual mitochondrion into two distinct organelles.
Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that undergo continuous rearrangement through fusion and fission events. Mitochondrial dynamics are important for mitochondrial distribution, biogenesis, morphology, and bioenergetics. Fusion/fission events allow for the sharing or dispersion of partially damaged mitochondrial components throughout the network to relieve stress. Through fission, fully depolarized mitochondria are also isolated to undergo mitophagy. Alterations in mitochondrial dynamics are linked to neurodegenerative disease.