Final answer:
The organelle responsible for transferring energy from organic compounds to ATP is the mitochondria, which are considered the cell's power plants. They produce ATP via cellular respiration and have two lipid bilayer membranes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organelle that transfers energy from organic compounds to ATP is the mitochondria. Mitochondria are known as the "power plants" of the cell because they are the sites of cellular respiration. This process involves using energy from organic compounds, like glucose, when both glucose and oxygen are available, to make ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP serves as the cell's main energy source for various cell functions including movement and cell division.
Mitochondria are unique organelles that are enclosed by two separate lipid bilayer membranes. These structures contain various molecules along the inner membrane that work together to produce ATP, making it a critical component for the cell's energy conversion processes. Interestingly, mitochondria are found in most eukaryotic cells, but they are not present in prokaryotic cells.