Which one of the following cell organelles is responsible for cellular respiration?

Mitochondria (singular: mitochondrium) are membrane-bound organelles primarily responsible for cellular respiration and energy production [t1][t2]. They are often referred to as the 'powerhouses of the cell' because they convert energy from food into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the universal energy currency used to fuel cellular activities [c1][t5][t8]. This process involves biochemical pathways such as the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, which occur within the mitochondrial matrix and inner membrane [t3][t7]. While other organelles have distinct roles—the endoplasmic reticulum handles protein and lipid synthesis, Golgi bodies manage secretion, and lysosomes facilitate intracellular digestion—only mitochondria are the sites for aerobic respiration [t2][t5]. In multi-cellular organisms, cells with high energy demands, such as muscle cells, contain a significantly higher number of mitochondria to support their metabolic requirements [t1][t5].

Sources

1. [1] https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Mitochondria
2. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > Activity 5.5 > p. 88
3. [3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-023-01547-9
4. [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitochondrion