Mitochondria

Every cell in your body maintains two separate genetic libraries, with mitochondria keeping their own compact DNA collection focused entirely on energy production. This genetic independence reveals one of evolution’s most successful partnerships, dating back 1.5 billion years.

Your brain consumes 20% of your body’s energy despite weighing just 2% of your total mass. This extraordinary energy demand relies entirely on mitochondria, the cellular power plants that fuel every thought, memory, and decision you make.