Mitophagy is a cellular autophagic process specifically designed to eliminate damaged or aging mitochondria. It selectively degrades mitochondria with dysfunctional features, maintaining mitochondrial quality and functional homeostasis within cells. The signal transduction mechanism of mitophagy typically involves receptors on the mitochondrial membrane fusing with autophagosomes, such as through pathways like PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) and Parkin-mediated ubiquitination. This process plays a crucial role in cellular stress responses, energy metabolism regulation, and aging, essential for maintaining cellular health and metabolic balance in organisms.