Final answer:
In an amoeba, the mitochondria are responsible for producing the energy needed by the cell. These organelles convert energy from organic compounds into ATP, the main energy currency of the cell, through cellular respiration. Mitochondria are crucial for the survival and functioning of eukaryotic cells, including amoebas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure in an amoeba that produces the energy it needs is the mitochondria. Mitochondria are known as the power plants of the cell. They are involved in cellular respiration, where they convert energy from organic compounds into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the cell's main energy currency. Amoebas, like other eukaryotic organisms, rely on their mitochondria for this essential function.
In a broader context, when both glucose and oxygen are available, mitochondria produce large quantities of ATP, functioning as the site of aerobic respiration. The mitochondrion consists of two separate lipid bilayer membranes, with the inner membrane housing various molecules that collaborate to synthesize ATP.
It is important to note that the cell membrane, also called the plasma membrane, creates a barrier between the inside and the outside of cells, maintaining the balance necessary for proper cell function.