Axon shedding mitochondria (IMAGE) Johns Hopkins Medicine Caption Reconstruction of electron microscopy data showing part of a retinal ganglion cell (blue) in the optic nerve head of a normal, healthy mouse. Its two bulges are filled with mitochondria (red). The researchers believe this is one step in the process of shedding the mitochondria so that neighboring astrocytes can break them down. Credit Keun-Young Kim/Johns Hopkins Medicine Usage Restrictions Credit required. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.