Final answer:
Mitochondria are called the powerhouses of the cell because they produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main energy-carrying molecule, through cellular respiration. They utilize oxygen and release carbon dioxide as a byproduct while generating ATP via the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain within their folded inner membranes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why are Mitochondria Considered the Powerhouse of the Cell?
Mitochondria, often referred to as the "powerhouses" or "energy factories" of a cell, are responsible for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the main energy-carrying molecule used by cells. The process of making ATP using the chemical energy found in glucose and other nutrients is called cellular respiration, which occurs in mitochondria. This process involves the utilization of oxygen and results in the production of carbon dioxide as a waste product. Furthermore, the mitochondria are equipped with an inner membrane with numerous folds, known as cristae, where cellular respiration reactions, including the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain, take place to generate ATP.
Among the choices listed in the question, the correct statements regarding a mitochondrion are:
Powerhouse of the cell
Energy is released when C-C bonds of nutrients are broken
Converts pyruvate or acetyl CoA to CO₂
The mitochondria do not perform photosynthesis, which is a function of chloroplasts in plant cells, nor are they the only organelle to use oxygen. Additionally, although ATP is produced predominantly in mitochondria via oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis takes place in the cytoplasm, not in mitochondria.