Which organelle in animal cells is most similar in function to the chloroplast in plant cells?

Question

Which organelle in animal cells is most similar in function to the chloroplast in plant cells??  
A. Cell membrane  
B. Vacuole  
C. Ribosome  
D. Mitochondrion

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: (D)Mitochondrion. 
Rationale: The mitochondrion is the organelle in animal cells most similar in function to the chloroplast in plant cells.Both chloroplasts and mitochondria are specialized for energy conversion, which is essential for cell survival. Chloroplasts capture light energy and convert it into chemical energy stored in glucose through photosynthesis. Mitochondria then take chemical energy from glucose and convert it into ATP through cellular respiration. Although these processes are different, both organelles serve the same fundamental purpose: transforming energy into a usable form for the cell. They also share structural similarities, including double membranes, their own DNA, and internal membrane systems involved in electron transport chains.A) Cell membraneThe cell membrane forms the outer boundary of the cell and controls what enters and leaves. It also plays a role in communication between cells using receptors and signaling molecules. However, it does not perform energy conversion or energy production. Since chloroplasts specialize in converting energy, the cell membrane is not functionally similar.B) VacuoleVacuoles are mainly involved in storage. In plant cells, the central vacuole stores water, ions, pigments, and waste products and helps maintain cell pressure. In animal cells, vacuoles are much smaller and also serve storage and transport functions. They do not participate in converting energy from one form to another, so they are not comparable to chloroplasts.C) RibosomeRibosomes are responsible for protein synthesis. They read messenger RNA and assemble amino acids into polypeptide chains. While proteins are vital to metabolism, ribosomes themselves do not generate or convert energy. Their function is completely different from that of chloroplasts.D) MitochondrionMitochondria are the sites of cellular respiration in animal cells. They convert the chemical energy stored in glucose into ATP, the molecule that directly powers most cellular activities. Chloroplasts convert sunlight into glucose, and mitochondria convert glucose into ATP. Both organelles:Perform energy transformationContain their own DNAAre surrounded by double membranesUse electron transport chainsAre thought to have evolved from ancient bacteria through endosymbiosisBecause they both function as the main energy-processing centers of the cell, mitochondria are the closest functional equivalent to chloroplasts in animal cells.ConclusionChloroplasts and mitochondria serve similar roles in different types of cells by converting energy into biologically useful forms. Chloroplasts convert light energy into glucose, while mitochondria convert glucose into ATP. Therefore, the correct answer is D) Mitochondrion.

Which organelle in animal cells is most similar in function to the chloroplast in plant cells?

A
Cell membrane

B
Vacuole

C
Ribosome

D
Mitochondrion

The mitochondrion is the organelle in animal cells most similar in function to the chloroplast in plant cells.

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Related Questions

Which organelle in animal cells is most similar in function to the chloroplast in plant cells?

A Cell membrane B Vacuole C Ribosome D Mitochondrion

The mitochondrion is the organelle in animal cells most similar in function to the chloroplast in plant cells.

Topic Flashcards

Mini Quiz

Related Questions

A
Cell membrane

B
Vacuole

C
Ribosome

D
Mitochondrion