The article discusses the dynamics and inheritance of mitochondria during cell division, development, and disease. Mitochondria, with their unique features such as their own genome and maternal inheritance, must be properly partitioned to daughter cells. The mechanisms regulating mitochondrial segregation include fusion-fission dynamics, organelle transport, mitophagy, and genetic selection of functional genomes. Defects in these processes can lead to cell and tissue pathologies. The article highlights the importance of mitochondrial fusion and fission in maintaining mitochondrial homogeneity and health, and the role of mitophagy in culling dysfunctional mitochondria. It also explores the genetic bottlenecks during oogenesis and embryonic development that ensure the transmission of functional mtDNA to offspring. Additionally, it discusses the exclusively maternal inheritance of mitochondria in mammals and the mechanisms that prevent the transmission of paternal mitochondria. The article concludes by emphasizing the significance of understanding mitochondrial dynamics and inheritance for the prevention and treatment of mitochondrial-related diseases.The article discusses the dynamics and inheritance of mitochondria during cell division, development, and disease. Mitochondria, with their unique features such as their own genome and maternal inheritance, must be properly partitioned to daughter cells. The mechanisms regulating mitochondrial segregation include fusion-fission dynamics, organelle transport, mitophagy, and genetic selection of functional genomes. Defects in these processes can lead to cell and tissue pathologies. The article highlights the importance of mitochondrial fusion and fission in maintaining mitochondrial homogeneity and health, and the role of mitophagy in culling dysfunctional mitochondria. It also explores the genetic bottlenecks during oogenesis and embryonic development that ensure the transmission of functional mtDNA to offspring. Additionally, it discusses the exclusively maternal inheritance of mitochondria in mammals and the mechanisms that prevent the transmission of paternal mitochondria. The article concludes by emphasizing the significance of understanding mitochondrial dynamics and inheritance for the prevention and treatment of mitochondrial-related diseases.