Do plant cells also contain mitochondria for aerobic respiration, in addition to having chloroplasts for photosynthesis?

Introduction / Context:
A common misunderstanding in basic biology is that plant cells have chloroplasts while animal cells have mitochondria. In reality, both plant and animal cells need to produce ATP through cellular respiration. This question checks whether you know that plant cells also contain mitochondria and that photosynthesis and respiration are complementary processes within plant cells.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks whether plant cells possess mitochondria.

• It also implies that chloroplasts are present for photosynthesis in plant cells.

• We assume a typical plant cell with cell wall, chloroplasts, and other organelles.

• Only one option correctly describes the presence of mitochondria in plant cells.

Concept / Approach:
Plant cells carry out photosynthesis in chloroplasts, capturing light energy and converting it into chemical energy stored in glucose and other organic molecules. However, to use this stored energy for various cellular processes, plant cells must break down these molecules to generate ATP. This breakdown takes place mainly in mitochondria through cellular respiration. Therefore, mitochondria are essential in plant cells just as in animal cells. The correct approach is to recall that mitochondria are universal among eukaryotic cells, including plants.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Remember that chloroplasts convert light energy into chemical energy, producing sugars during photosynthesis. Step 2: Recognize that ATP is the direct energy currency used for active transport, biosynthesis, and other cellular work. Step 3: Recall that mitochondria perform aerobic respiration, breaking down glucose to form ATP. Step 4: Understand that this respiration is needed in both plant and animal cells because all eukaryotic cells require ATP. Step 5: Since plant cells must also respire, they contain mitochondria in addition to chloroplasts, not instead of them. Step 6: The statement that plant cells lack mitochondria is therefore incorrect, as is any claim that only a limited subset of plant cells have them.

Verification / Alternative check:
Diagrams of a generalized plant cell in textbooks typically label both chloroplasts and mitochondria. Microscopic and biochemical studies confirm that plant tissues, including leaves, stems, and roots, contain mitochondria. Even cells without chloroplasts, such as root cells, still require ATP and thus contain mitochondria. This evidence confirms that the correct answer is that plant cells do have mitochondria as well as chloroplasts.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

No, plant cells do not have any mitochondria: This is incorrect because all eukaryotic cells, including plant cells, contain mitochondria.

Only root cells of plants have mitochondria: Incorrect because mitochondria are present in most plant cells, not just in roots.

This cannot be determined for all plant cells: Incorrect, because extensive research has clearly established the presence of mitochondria.

Only seed cells of plants have mitochondria: Incorrect; many plant cell types, such as leaf and stem cells, have mitochondria for respiration.

Common Pitfalls:
Many students memorize that animal cells have mitochondria and plant cells have chloroplasts and then mistakenly treat these organelles as mutually exclusive. Another pitfall is thinking that photosynthesis alone is enough for plant metabolism, without realising that respiration is still needed to release usable energy from glucose. Always remember that chloroplasts make food and mitochondria release energy from that food in both plants and animals.

Final Answer:
Yes, plant cells have mitochondria as well as chloroplasts, so the correct choice is Yes, plant cells have mitochondria as well as chloroplasts.