THE BEHAVIOR OF MITOCHONDRIA 53 



vestigations in this field, and from the newer point of view, 

 are necessary to estabUsh the full significance of mito- 

 chondria in cell activit}^ 



The possible relation of mitochondria to the etiology of 

 disease is immediately indicated by their nature. The 

 researches that have been made in pathology in this con- 

 nection certainly give promise of ultimate fundamental 

 discoveries. The ear her researches on mitochondria in 

 this field were abandoned when Altmann's "bioblasts" 

 were rejected. The reestabhshment of the fundamental 

 part of Altmann's conception — namely, the bacterial nature 

 of mitochondria, should again serve to stimulate investi- 

 gations on the relationship of these ever-present micro- 

 organisms to disease. 



Another feature of the possible behavior of mitochondria 

 in their relationship to the cell may be discussed in a hypo- 

 thetical way. It appears obvious that there must be a 

 mechanism in the cell that controls mitochondrial growth. 

 Mitochondria, being organisms, would have a tendency to 

 grow indefinitely in a cytoplasmic medium, which is being 

 constantly supplied with proper nutriment. When patho- 

 genic microorganisms invade the cell, various types of 

 responses may be observed. In some cases, the pathogenic 

 organism is of such a nature that it rapidly destroys the 

 invaded cell. In some instances, however, the invading 

 organism is not especially toxic in its reactions, but grows 

 rapidly resulting in the mechanical rupture of the cell. The 

 organism of Rocky Mountain spotted fever produces such a 

 result in the endothehum and muscle cells of blood vessels. 

 The resulting haemorrhagic conditions are responsible for 

 the "spotted" feature of the disease. 



The bacteria {Bacillus radicicola) in the root nodules of 

 legumes, on the other hand, have the same type of rela- 

 tionship to the nodule cells that mitochondria have to cells 

 in general. When the Bacillus radicicola has entered the 



