Mitochondria and Plastids

Mitochondria is often called the main part of the cell, it gives the cell energy to survive and carry out required processes. The mitochondria is an organelle which is bound by a membrane. This organelle produces chemical energy that is required by the cells to carry out their necessary processes that are required for sustenance of the cell. Just like the mitochondria, the plastid too is a membrane bound cell organelle whose primary function is to perform the task of converting CO₂ to O₂ and hence deriving food that is utilised by the plant through the process of photosynthesis. Further explored are the types of plastids and differences between plastids and mitochondria.

What is the Mitochondria?

Mitochondria is often called the main part of the cell, it gives the cell energy to survive and carry out required processes. The mitochondria is an organelle which is bound by a membrane. This organelle produces chemical energy that is required by the cells to carry out their necessary processes that are required for sustenance of the cell. Mitochondria is the only cell organelle that has its own genetic material and chromosomes. The mitochondria creates energy in the form of ATP or Adenosine Triphosphate. The currency of a cell in a form of energy is ATP. The number of mitochondria that are present in each cell vary from one cell to another is dependent on the amount of energy intake a cell has.

What is a Plastid?

Just like the mitochondria, the plastid too is a membrane bound cell organelle whose primary function is to perform the task of converting CO2 to O2 and hence deriving food that is utilised through the process of photosynthesis. They are mainly present in plants and algae. Let us see what the types of plastids are next. Plastids are generally divided into three types and all of them perform different functions. Chloroplasts perform the function of photosynthesis and can be seen as green spots under the microscope. Chromoplasts perform the function of making pigments and also store different elements in them. Leucoplasts are the pigments which do not have any colour, but sometimes do differentiate into different pigments. Leucoplasts are located in areas where sections of plants do not perform photosynthesis like the root and stems. Again just like the mitochondria, plastids too have their own genetic materials and chromosomes.

Differences between Mitochondria and Plastids

First let us discuss the similarities between plastids and mitochondria: they both are membrane bound cell organelles and both have their own genetic material contained in chromosomes. They also have their own sets of ribosomes. Now let us discuss the differences between plastids and mitochondria:

Plastids are found only in plants and algae cells whereas mitochondria are found in all eukaryotic cells.

Mitochondria produces Adenosine Triphosphate or ATP whereas plastids perform the function of producing glucose and then storing that glucose as starch.

The main function of a mitochondria is cell respiration, which basically means that it does all the necessary functions required by the cell to survive. Plastids have the function of participating in photosynthesis and storage of glucose as starch.

The size of a mitochondria is way smaller than a plastid. Plastids are comparatively larger in size.

Pigments are present in plastids whereas pigments are absent in mitochondria.

Conclusion

Mitochondria is often called the main part of the cell, it gives the cell energy to survive and carry out required processes. Just like the mitochondria, the plastid too is a membrane bound cell organelle whose primary function is to perform the task of converting CO2 to O2 and hence deriving food that is utilised through the process of photosynthesis.