Which organelle is responsible for providing energy to cells?

The mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell because they are primarily responsible for energy production. They generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy currency of the cell, through the process of cellular respiration. This process involves converting nutrients from food into usable energy, allowing the cell to carry out various functions necessary for survival.

The mitochondria achieve this by utilizing oxygen and nutrients, breaking them down to release energy. This is vital for the operation of all cellular activities, as cells require a constant supply of energy to perform processes such as growth, repair, and maintenance. In contrast, other organelles like the nucleus, ribosomes, and endoplasmic reticulum have different roles; the nucleus stores genetic information, ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis, and the endoplasmic reticulum is responsible for protein and lipid synthesis and transport. Each organelle plays a distinct role, but the role of energy production is specifically attributed to the mitochondria.