GLOSSARY

Mitochondrial Density expresses mitochondrial amount relative to tissue volume or another reference.

The inner mitochondrial membrane houses much respiratory-chain and ATP-synthesis machinery; the matrix contains several oxidative pathways. Outer membrane and intermembrane space differ in properties. Organization supports gradients rather than a simple energy-storage bag. Structure, quantity, capacity and function are separate measures. A structural marker alone does not prove improvement in every performance dimension, and more measured content is not automatically more efficient coupling under all conditions.

Mitochondrial respiration passes carrier electrons through a chain to oxygen as final acceptor, forming water and supporting a gradient. Oxygen use and ATP output are related without an immutable ratio. Whole-body oxygen consumption is not exclusively working-muscle metabolism. Distinguish cellular, tissue and respiratory measurements. A higher oxygen-use value can reflect greater demand rather than automatically greater efficiency, and the test context determines what capacity or function can be inferred.

Proton-motive force includes concentration and electrical differences across a membrane, not pH alone. Controlled proton return couples to ATP synthesis; some fuel energy becomes heat rather than usable ATP. Chemiosmosis explains this relationship. Nutrition does not aim to manipulate membrane permeability or maximize gradients with an untested product. Integrity and regulation matter, and a mechanistic explanation does not establish safety or performance benefit from substances advertised as mitochondrial uncouplers or boosters.