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Which type of organelle is found in plant cells but not in animal cells?

A) ribosomes
B) mitochondria
C) nuclei
D) plastids
E) none of these

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Plastids, specifically chloroplasts, are organelles found in plant cells but not in animal cells. They are involved in photosynthesis. Plant cells also have large central vacuoles that assume some functions of lysosomes in animal cells. The correct option is D) plastids

Step-by-step explanation:

The type of organelle found in plant cells but not in animal cells is plastids (D). Specifically, chloroplasts, which are a type of plastid, are present in plant cells and are responsible for photosynthesis. Animal cells do not contain chloroplasts or any other type of plastids. Moreover, plant cells have a central vacuole that typically takes on the role of lysosomes found in animal cells, helping in breaking down macromolecules and maintaining cellular pressure.

Unlike prokaryotic cells, both plant and animal cells are eukaryotic, containing membrane-bound organelles like the nucleus, mitochondria, and ribosomes. Ribosomes are found in all cells, including prokaryotic and eukaryotic because they are essential for protein synthesis. Mitochondria are referred to as the power plants of the cell since they generate ATP through cellular respiration. Vacuoles are present in both animal and plant cells, but in plants, the central vacuole plays a significant role in storage and maintaining cell structure.

According to the endosymbiotic theory, mitochondria evolved from free-living prokaryotes that entered into a symbiotic relationship within another cell, which became the eukaryotic cell. This theory is supported by evidence such as mitochondrial DNA and ribosomes which are similar to those found in prokaryotes. The correct option is D) plastids

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