Mitophagy is a selective process of mitochondrial degradation via autophagy, essential for maintaining mitochondrial function and cellular health. Mitochondria produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause DNA mutations and dysfunction. Mitophagy removes damaged mitochondria, preventing cell death and maintaining cellular homeostasis. The process involves autophagosomes, which sequester mitochondria and deliver them to lysosomes for degradation. Key proteins like LC3 and Atg proteins regulate autophagy. The mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), involving pore formation in the mitochondrial membrane, is linked to mitophagy and cell death pathways. Autophagy is regulated by phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) and the mTOR pathway. Nutrient deprivation and photodamage induce mitophagy, with evidence showing that autophagy can be selective for damaged mitochondria. Mitophagy plays a critical role in aging, as mitochondrial dysfunction and mtDNA mutations accumulate over time. Autophagy helps eliminate dysfunctional mitochondria, but excessive autophagy can lead to cell death. Understanding mitophagy's mechanisms is crucial for addressing aging and disease.Mitophagy is a selective process of mitochondrial degradation via autophagy, essential for maintaining mitochondrial function and cellular health. Mitochondria produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause DNA mutations and dysfunction. Mitophagy removes damaged mitochondria, preventing cell death and maintaining cellular homeostasis. The process involves autophagosomes, which sequester mitochondria and deliver them to lysosomes for degradation. Key proteins like LC3 and Atg proteins regulate autophagy. The mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), involving pore formation in the mitochondrial membrane, is linked to mitophagy and cell death pathways. Autophagy is regulated by phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) and the mTOR pathway. Nutrient deprivation and photodamage induce mitophagy, with evidence showing that autophagy can be selective for damaged mitochondria. Mitophagy plays a critical role in aging, as mitochondrial dysfunction and mtDNA mutations accumulate over time. Autophagy helps eliminate dysfunctional mitochondria, but excessive autophagy can lead to cell death. Understanding mitophagy's mechanisms is crucial for addressing aging and disease.