Final answer:
Mitochondria and chloroplasts differ in that mitochondria are responsible for cellular respiration and ATP production in both animal and plant cells, while chloroplasts carry out photosynthesis and glucose production, mainly in plant cells and algae.
Step-by-step explanation:
The differences between mitochondria and chloroplasts are significant, with each organelle playing a distinct role within eukaryotic cells. While both organelles are involved in energy conversion and contain their own DNA and ribosomes, their functions and structures differ greatly.
- Mitochondria are found in both animal and plant cells and are responsible for cellular respiration, a process that converts the energy stored in glucose into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is used as the cell's main energy currency.
- Chloroplasts are typically found in plant cells and certain algae and are responsible for photosynthesis, a process that converts light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose, using carbon dioxide and water.
- Mitochondria have a double membrane, while chloroplasts also have a double membrane but include an additional set of membranes inside that house the thylakoids and grana, where photosynthesis occurs.
- Another point of differentiation is that chloroplasts contain accessory pigments and a unique stroma, whereas mitochondria contain inner folds known as cristae and a matrix which are involved in the production of ATP.
Therefore, option 2 is the most accurate: Mitochondria are responsible for cellular respiration while chloroplasts are responsible for photosynthesis. Moreover, the facts that mitochondria produce ATP and chloroplasts produce glucose show the distinct roles they play in energy metabolism within cells.