Albert von Kölliker first discovered mitochondria in 1857. He observed these structures, often called the "powerhouses of the cell," in the voluntary muscles of insects. While he didn't initially name them mitochondria, his discovery laid the groundwork for future research. The name "mitochondria" was coined later by Carl Benda.
The Discovery and Naming of Mitochondria: A Timeline
- 1857: Albert von Kölliker, a Swiss physiologist and anatomist, first observed mitochondria in insect muscle cells. He described them as thread-like granules.
- 1886: Richard Altman coined the term "bioblasts" (life germs) to describe these structures.
- 1898: Carl Benda renamed these organelles "mitochondria," a name derived from the Greek words mitos (thread) and chondros (granule).
Multiple sources confirm Kölliker's pioneering observation in 1857. While subsequent researchers contributed to our understanding of mitochondria's function and importance, Kölliker's initial discovery remains pivotal. His work marked the beginning of the long and fascinating history of mitochondrial research. Further research led to the understanding of their role in cellular respiration and energy production, making them essential to life itself. The later discovery of the Krebs cycle, crucial to cellular respiration, even garnered a Nobel Prize for Sir Hans Adolf Krebs. However, the credit for the initial discovery remains with Albert von Kölliker.
