Which organelle is known as the powerhouse of the cell?

The mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell because they are responsible for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the primary energy carrier in cells. Through a process called cellular respiration, mitochondria convert energy stored in glucose and other nutrients into ATP, which cells use to power various functions, such as growth, reproduction, and maintaining homeostasis. This energy production is crucial for the cell to perform its activities effectively.

In contrast, chloroplasts are involved in photosynthesis, where they convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, and the nucleus serves as the control center of the cell, housing the cell’s genetic material and regulating activities. Ribosomes, on the other hand, are responsible for protein synthesis, assembling amino acids into proteins based on the instructions from the nucleus. Each of these organelles plays an important role in the cell, but it is the mitochondria that uniquely provide the energy required for other cellular processes.