Deterioration of Rat‐Liver Mitochondria during Centrifugation in a Sucrose Gradient

The distribution of mitochondrial enzymes after isopyenic centrifugation of a rat‐liver mitochondrial fraction in a sucrose gradient depends on the speed of centrifugation. From the distribution changes, it may be deduced that when centrifugation reaches a certain speed there is an increase in the equilibrium density of some mitochondria; after this the mitochondria undergo disruption. The hydrostatic pressure to which the granules are subjected in the gradient seems to be the main cause of these phenomena. The results of morphological examinations are in good agreement with those suggested by biochemical determinations.