Select the correct statement describing cellular structure or function.
Only plant cells contain chloroplasts, and only animal cells contain mitochondria.
Plant and animal cells both carry out cellular respiration, producing ATP.
Mitochondria and chloroplasts are part of the endomembrane system of the eukaryotic cell.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
Plant and animal cells both carry out cellular respiration, producing ATP.
Explanation (300+ words):
Cellular respiration is a fundamental biological process in which cells convert glucose and oxygen into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy currency of the cell. This process occurs in mitochondria, which are membrane-bound organelles found in both plant and animal cells. The statement, “Plant and animal cells both carry out cellular respiration, producing ATP,” is therefore accurate.
Despite differences in function and structure, plant and animal cells share many organelles, including the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, ribosomes, and critically, the mitochondria. In both cell types, mitochondria perform aerobic cellular respiration, which includes the glycolysis pathway (in the cytoplasm), the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain (in the mitochondria). This leads to the production of ATP, which powers cellular activities such as active transport, synthesis of biomolecules, and muscle contraction (in animals).
Now let’s analyze the incorrect statements:
- “Only plant cells contain chloroplasts, and only animal cells contain mitochondria”:
This is false. While it is true that only plant cells (and some protists like algae) have chloroplasts (the site of photosynthesis), both plant and animal cells have mitochondria. Plants need mitochondria to produce ATP, especially when sunlight is unavailable and photosynthesis cannot occur. - “Mitochondria and chloroplasts are part of the endomembrane system of the eukaryotic cell”:
This is also false. The endomembrane system includes structures like the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and vesicles. Mitochondria and chloroplasts are not considered part of this system because they have their own DNA and double membranes, supporting the endosymbiotic theory of their origin. They operate independently of the endomembrane system.
In conclusion, plant and animal cells both use mitochondria for cellular respiration and ATP production, making the correct answer the most scientifically accurate choice.