Final answer:
Plants have mitochondria to perform cellular respiration, which converts sugars from photosynthesis into ATP. Both chloroplasts for photosynthesis and mitochondria for cellular respiration are necessary for plants' metabolism. The presence of both organelles, each with distinct functions, supports plants' energy needs at different times.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, plants do have mitochondria even though they have chloroplasts. While chloroplasts are involved in photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy (sugars), mitochondria are essential for the process of cellular respiration in plant cells. This process is vital for converting the sugars produced during photosynthesis into ATP, the energy currency of the cell, which is used for various cellular activities. Mitochondria are hence found in photosynthetic tissue to help plants conduct metabolic processes during both light and dark periods, ensuring a continuous supply of energy.
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration form an energy link; plants utilize both to meet their metabolic demands. Mitochondria, with a matrix and inner folds called cristae, differ from chloroplasts, which contain accessory pigments and have structures like thylakoids and stroma. However, both organelles contain their own DNA and ribosomes, suggesting an endosymbiotic origin. While chloroplasts enable plants to produce their own food, mitochondria are responsible for generating ATP through cellular respiration using the products of photosynthesis.