Final answer:
The mitochondria are analogous to lungs for the cell, using oxygen to produce energy (ATP) and emitting carbon dioxide. They are central to cellular respiration, which is why they're referred to as the 'power plants' of the cell. Moreover, mitochondria are believed to have originated from a symbiotic bacterial relationship as suggested by the endosymbiotic theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The part of the cell that acts like lungs, playing a crucial role in cellular respiration, is the mitochondria. Mitochondria utilize oxygen to create ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which serves as the primary energy currency of the cell. This process produces carbon dioxide as a waste product, similar to how our lungs exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. In plant cells, the function of lysosomes is primarily carried out by vacuoles, which help in the degradation and recycling of cellular waste.
The nucleus commands the cell and houses DNA, which is transcribed into RNA. Ribosomes then translate RNA into proteins. The rough endoplasmic reticulum assists in protein folding and transport, while the Golgi apparatus further processes and packages proteins for transport within and outside the cell.
Finally, in the context of the endosymbiotic theory, mitochondria are thought to have originated from free-living bacteria that entered into a symbiotic relationship with early eukaryotic cells, with evidence such as their own DNA and ribosomes supporting this theory.