Mitochondrion
Design at the Intersection of Bio-Inspired Concepts and Digital Fabrication
Instructor: Dr. Mary Anne Beecher
The Elemental Plane (ED3), Fall 2012
University of Manitoba
Mitochondrion is a research-based prototype of a modular piece of furniture that is inspired by the mitochondrion, a cellular organelle that is responsible for producing and storing the organic compound adenosine triphosphate within the cell. The Mitochondrion adopts a fluid shape that mimics that of the mitochondrion, designed to function as both a shelf and a wall partition. It is partitioned into three modules, each adaptable and configurable according to the user's needs.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d908dfaa3ba8e3812fc6030c90281d758263870a0f9c080c9e39e650e618019a/Mitochondrion.jpg)
No Fixed Shape
The shape and form of a mitochondrion vary in response to various cellular cues. During programmed cell death (apoptosis), a mitochondrion undergoes five different shapes.
The shape and form of a mitochondrion vary in response to various cellular cues. During programmed cell death (apoptosis), a mitochondrion undergoes five different shapes.
![1. Normal](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e369b65878e21217247173b59671a0fdf640765f0a7da8174844184e74bc111f/Morphology1.png)
![2. Normal-vesicular](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ab06a3cf1ed4bb8198ffe647bb627565b3bc15751c5cea0d8d83ed4a44951a93/Morphology2.png)
![3. Vesicular](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4cfeac208ca1bb84c5f52fe22862e55f2fbc26a8d53f71b53f54283031fe1aea/Morphology3.png)
![4. Vesicular-swollen](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ca5b1f206e2da7849e3ce3f97b8a6d5540086b813798e60fd59233fb11e1fda6/Morphology4.png)
![5. Swollen](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1ac7a3f5e4c98cb4a50cd737debd562bc2c63f1c439f160e8caf7d55b9bb99dd/Morphology5.png)
![Axonometric View](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c90db62cc4c90adb67c9db735c49046761e76727b63d5b62f0b06191a709873a/Axo1.jpg)
![Exploded Axonometric View: (1) Side panel; (2) Shelf; and (3) Base.](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/170a823693c345d22bf1b260b8b82da73706b0faf1703139d07f92045279eff0/Axo2.jpg)