The inner membrane has a much greater surface area and forms a series of folds or invaginations, called cristae, which project inward towards the interior space of the organelle.
Mitochondria remained relatively abundant, but were quite deteriorated, with few organized cristae in the largely patchy, electron transparent matrix.
These atypical mitochondria were characterized by having poorly developed electron lucent cristae that were almost obscured by many electron dense granules in their matrix.
The mitochondria (m) are swollen and rounded in appearance, with defined cristae.
This density is due to the presence of cytoplasm filaments, a few mitochondria with lamellar cristae, granular endoplasmic reticulum, and occasional lysosome-like granules are present.
As compared with oogonia the cristae are more densely packed in mitochondria, consequently there is less intramitochondrial matrix.
The increase in the number of cristae increases the capacity for oxygen consumption.
Mitochondria were present in their normal chain-like arrangement throughout the syncytium, but were significantly swollen and rounded with distinct cristae.
