Solveeit Logo

Question

Question: Which parts of the cell are connected with the liberation of energy?...

Which parts of the cell are connected with the liberation of energy?

Explanation

Solution

To grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and adapt to their surroundings, all living creatures require energy; metabolism is the collection of activities that makes energy available for cellular functions. In order to carry out cellular activities, living creatures must obtain energy from food, nutrients, or sunshine.

Complete answer:
The parts of the cell i.e. cell organelles connected with the liberation of energy differ according to the type of cell.
But before discussing this point we need to know how energy is liberated for cellular metabolism.
In cells energy is required in the form of ATP for cellular metabolic activities and this ATP is generated through photosynthesis, chemolithotrophy and respiration.
In photosynthesis light energy is converted into ATP and this occurs in chloroplasts of plant cells and plasma membranes of photoautotrophic bacteria.
Chemolithotrophy also called chemosynthesis involves the use of chemical substances as energy source to generate ATP and is a characteristic of prokaryotes which performs chemosynthesis through their plasma membranes.
Respiration is a characteristic feature of all living organisms and involves oxidation of carbohydrates to generate ATP. It is of two types aerobic, requiring oxygen and anaerobic which do not require oxygen.
Various organelles are involved in respiration however complete oxidation occurs in aerobic respiration and occurs in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells and plasma membranes of prokaryotic cells, where oxidative phosphorylation ATP is generated. Therefore, mitochondria are also called the powerhouse of the cell.

Thus, Chloroplasts, Mitochondria and Plasma membranes are involved in the liberation of energy as per the cell type and the mechanism of energy generation.

Note:
ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is a chemical that transports energy within cells. It is the cell's primary source of energy, and it is produced through photophosphorylation (adding a phosphate group to a molecule using light energy), cellular respiration, and fermentation. This is why ATP is referred to as the energy currency of the cell.