Open In App

Difference Between Mitochondria and Chloroplast

Improve
Improve
Like Article
Like
Save
Share
Report

Mitochondria and chloroplasts are two organelles found in eukaryotic cells that are involved in energy conversion and metabolism. While chloroplasts are involved in the process of photosynthesis, where they transform light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, mitochondria are in charge of producing energy in the form of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. 

What are Mitochondria?

Mitochondria are membrane-bound organelles that are responsible for producing energy in eukaryotic cells. They are also called the powerhouse of the cell. They produce energy in the form of ATP(adenosine triphosphate).

Also Read: Why are mitochondria known as the Powerhouse of the cell?

Mitochondria

 

They have a double membrane structure consisting of an outer and inner membrane that is enclosed in a mitochondrial matrix. The outer membrane is Smooth and Porous. The inner membrane is folded in form of cristae. The cristae provide a large surface area for enzymes. The main function of mitochondria is to produce ATP through a process called oxidative phosphorylation.

Also Read: Mitochondria

What is Chloroplast?

Chroloplast is organelles that are found in plants and algae. They are responsible for photosynthesis, in this process light energy is converted into chemical energy in the form of organic compounds.

They have a double membrane envelope-type structure that surrounds the inner aqueous stroma. Stroma contains a network of interconnected thylakoid membranes that are organized into a stack called grana. In the thylakoid membrane, there are pigments like chlorophyll which is responsible for capturing light. They perform photosynthesis, this process involves capturing light energy from the sun and converting it into chemical energy that is used by plants. 

 Similarities Between Mitochondria and Chloroplast

  • They both are found in eukaryotic cells.
  • They both are involved in the energy production of the cell.
  • Mitochondria and Chloroplast both have their own DNA, and ribosomes and have the ability to replicate independently of the cell.
  • Both have two membrane structures inner and outer membrane and have a space between them.
  • Both use electron chains to produce energy.
  • They both have specialized enzymes for the synthesis of ATP.
  • This is believed, both evolved from free-living bacteria that were consumed by early eukaryotic cells in a process called endosymbiosis.

Difference Between Mitochondria and Chloroplast

 

Mitochondria

 Chloroplasts

Location found in almost every eukaryotic cell, including those of animals and plants.  found only in some protists, algae, and plant cells. 
Size and shape usually 1 to 10 micrometers in length and shaped like a sausage.  typically 2 to 10 micrometers long, shaped as a disc or oval, 
Membrane structure consists of an outer and an inner membrane, separated by an intermembrane space.  includes a thylakoid membrane, an inner membrane, and an outer membrane. 
Function uses oxidative phosphorylation to produce ATP.  utilizes photosynthesis to convert light energy to chemical energy. 
Pigments don’t contain any pigments  contains pigments such as chlorophyll 
DNA Contains its own circular DNA, which is similar to bacterial DNA. Contains its own circular DNA, which is similar to bacterial DNA.
Replication binary fission replication  binary fission or budding replication 
Enzymes and pathways involved in the electron transport chain, the citric acid cycle, and beta-oxidation  involved in the light-dependent and light-independent reactions of photosynthesis 
Oxygen dependence utilizes oxidative phosphorylation, which requires oxygen, to produce ATP.  does not need oxygen but some processes can use it 
Endosymbiotic origin likely descended from an ancestral eukaryotic cell that engulfed a free-living bacterium.  likely descended from an ancestral eukaryotic cell that engulfed a free-living photosynthetic cyanobacterium. 

FAQs on Mitochondria and Chloroplast

Question 1: What are mitochondria and what does it do?

Answer:

Mitochondria are the organelles that produce energy in the form of ATP ( adenosine triphosphate ) through a process which is called cellular respiration. They are very important for many cellular functions and their dysfunctions can lead to various diseases.

Question 2: What is Chloroplast and what does it do?

Answer:

Chloroplast is organelles that are present in plants and algae cells and uses chlorophyll and other necessary pigments to convert light energy to chemical energy through the process called photosynthesis. They also are responsible for producing glucose and oxygen and also play a vital role in the synthesis of other molecules.

Question 3: Can plant cells survive without chloroplast?

Answer:

Plant cells can not perform photosynthesis in absence of chloroplast, which is responsible for the most important process of plant cell photosynthesis which is responsible for producing glucose and oxygen. Plant cells can survive without chloroplast, they just need to obtain energy and nutrients from other sources which are not that effective and sufficient.

Question 4: Are Chloroplast and Mitochondria related?

Answer:

They are related through a process called endosymbiosis, it is a theory that they evolved from free-living prokaryotes that are consumed by ancestral eukaryotic cells. They have similarities in terms of structure and function, having their own DNA, and many more. Their similarities indicate that they have a common evolutionary origin.

Question 5: Do all eukaryotic cells have both mitochondria and chloroplast?

Answer:

No, not all eukaryotic cells have both. Mitochondria are found in almost all eukaryotic cells but chloroplast is found only in photosynthetic organisms such as plants. Exceptions are there some eukaryotic cells that do not have chloroplast perform photosynthesis using other organelles or use symbiotic relations with photosynthetic organisms. 



Last Updated : 02 Mar, 2023
Like Article
Save Article
Previous
Next
Share your thoughts in the comments
Similar Reads