A model of the mitochondrion's life cycle that integrates mitochondrial dynamics and turnover. The mitochondrion cyclically shifts between a post fusion state (network) and a post fission state (solitary). Fusion is brief and triggers fission. Following a fission event, the daughter mitochondrion may either maintain intact membrane potential (red line) or depolarize (green line). If it depolarizes, it is unlikely to proceed to a subsequent fusion, unless it re‐polarizes. After being depolarized and solitary for a few hours, the mitochondrion is removed by autophagy. 