Which cell organelle is commonly known as the power house of the cell because it generates most of the adenosine triphosphate ATP energy required for cellular activities?

Introduction / Context:
Mitochondria are often described as the power house of the cell because they are the primary site of energy production in most eukaryotic cells. This question tests your understanding of basic cell organelles and their functions, which is a foundational topic in biology and very important for school level exams and general knowledge tests.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks which organelle is called the power house of the cell.

• It is implied that we are talking about a typical eukaryotic cell, such as an animal or plant cell.

• Power house refers to the main site of adenosine triphosphate ATP production through cellular respiration.

• Only one of the listed organelles is the primary site of this energy production.

Concept / Approach:
In biology, each cell organelle has a specific structure and function. Mitochondria are double membrane bound organelles that carry out most steps of aerobic respiration. They generate ATP, which is the universal energy currency of the cell. The Golgi bodies modify and package proteins, ribosomes synthesize proteins, the endoplasmic reticulum helps in protein and lipid synthesis, and lysosomes are involved in intracellular digestion. By matching each organelle with its main function, we can identify which one deserves the label power house of the cell.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that ATP is the energy currency used in almost all cellular processes such as active transport, muscle contraction, biosynthesis, and cell division. Step 2: Remember that mitochondria contain enzymes for the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain, which are major stages of aerobic respiration. Step 3: During oxidative phosphorylation inside mitochondria, energy released from nutrients is used to add phosphate groups to ADP to form ATP. Step 4: Compare this function with Golgi bodies, which mainly package proteins and lipids, and ribosomes, which synthesize polypeptide chains. Step 5: The endoplasmic reticulum provides a site for synthesis and transport of proteins or lipids, and lysosomes contain digestive enzymes to break down waste. Step 6: Since only mitochondria directly act as the main energy producing site of ATP, they are called the power house of the cell.

Verification / Alternative check:
A good way to verify this is to think about tissues with very high energy demand, such as heart muscle cells. These cells have a very large number of mitochondria to supply continuous ATP. If any other organelle were the main energy producer, those organelles would be especially abundant instead. Experimental observations consistently show that mitochondria are the site of aerobic ATP production in eukaryotic cells.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Golgi bodies: They modify, sort, and package proteins and lipids into vesicles. They do not produce significant amounts of ATP.

Ribosomes: These are the sites of protein synthesis, translating messenger RNA into polypeptides, not energy generation.

Endoplasmic reticulum: This organelle is involved in synthesis and transport of proteins rough ER and lipids smooth ER, but not in ATP production.

Lysosomes: These are vesicles containing hydrolytic enzymes for digestion of waste and foreign materials rather than energy generation.

Common Pitfalls:
Many students confuse protein synthesis with energy production and may choose ribosomes or endoplasmic reticulum because they sound very important. Others may think that any organelle with many enzymes could be considered a power house. The key is to link the phrase power house specifically to ATP synthesis during cellular respiration, which is a unique hallmark of mitochondria in eukaryotic cells.

Final Answer:
The organelle known as the power house of the cell is Mitochondria.