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Mitochondria are called a powerhouse of the cell and it’s responsible for the production of energy in the form of ATP. While Plastids helps in the production of food. This article will be covering the difference between mitochondria and plastids. Mitochondria and Plastids are the cells that are present in eukaryotes. Plastids are found in all plant cells whereas Mitochondria are found in all eukaryotic cells including animals and plants.
What is Mitochondria?
Mitochondria are also known for their other name as the powerhouses of the cell. The Mitochondria are made up of two membrane coverings, I.e. outer membrane, and the inner membrane.
The outer membrane is porous whereas the inner membrane is deeply folded. However, these folds increase surface area for ATP- generating chemical reactions. And these energies which are required for various chemical activities are released by mitochondria in the form of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) molecules.
Mitochondria Diagram
What are Plastids?
Plastids are present only in plant cells. There are two types of plastids i.e. chromoplasts and leucoplasts. Chromoplasts contain the pigment chlorophyll which is known as chloroplasts. However, chloroplasts are important for photosynthesis in plants.
However, the chloroplasts also contain yellow or orange pigments in addition to chlorophyll. Leucoplasts are primarily organelles in which materials like oils, starch, and protein granules are stored.
Plastids
Difference Between Mitochondria and Plastids
The key differences between Mitochondria and Plastids have been tabulated below:
| Mitochondria | Plastids |
|---|---|
| Mitochondria found in eukaryotic cells | Plastids found in plant cells |
| Helps to produce ATP | Helps to produce a glucose |
| Size is small | Large in size |
| Pigments are absent in Mitochondria | Pigments are present in Plastids |
| The main function of mitochondria is cell respiration | Main organelle for photosynthesis |
Things to Remember
- Mitochondria are found in all eukaryotic cells, but plastids are found in plants and algae.
- Mitochondria are small in size whereas plastids are large.
- The Mitochondria are made up of two membrane coverings, I.e. outer membrane, and the inner membrane.
- There are two types of plastids namely: Chromoplasts and Leucoplasts.
- Pigments are absent in Mitochondria and Pigments are present in Plastids.
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Sample Questions
Ques. What are Plastids?
Ans. Plastids are the cells that are present in eukaryotes and found in all plant cells. There are two types of plastids namely: Chromoplasts and leucoplasts. Chromoplasts contain the pigment chlorophyll which is known as chloroplasts. Whereas, Leucoplasts are primarily organelles in which materials like protein granules, oils, and starch are stored.
Ques. Where are Plastids found?
Ans. Plastids are very important cell organelles that are only found in plant cells. However, the Plastids can be divided into two distinctive types i.e.Primary Plastids and Secondary Plastids. Primary Plastids are found in algae and plants, whereas secondary more complex plastids are found in plankton.
Ques. What do you mean by Mitochondria?
Ans. Mitochondria is a cell that is found in eukaryotic cells including animals and plants is also known as the powerhouses of the cell. The Mitochondria are made up of two membrane coverings, I.e. outer membrane, and the inner membrane.
Ques. How are mitochondria found?
Ans. Mitochondria are very important cell organelles that are found in all eukaryotic cells including animals and plants. However, it is located at the cytoplasm of cells along with other organelles of the cell.
Ques. What is the basic difference between mitochondria and plastids?
Ans. The main difference between Mitochondria and Plastids is that plastids are present only in plants, mitochondria, on the other hand, are present in all eukaryotic cells. However, the shape of Mitochondrial is like a bean shape and Plastid is like a disc in shape.
Ques. What is the size of mitochondria and plastids?
Ans. The mitochondria are small in size with an average size of 220 to 60 nm whereas the plastids are large in between 410 nm by 250 nm.
Ques. What are the types of plastids?
Ans. There are four types of plastids namely: Chloroplasts, Chromoplasts, Gerontoplasts, and Leucoplasts.
Ques. How are mitochondria made up?
Ans. As shown in the graph, the Mitochondria are made up of two membrane coverings, I.e. outer membrane, and the inner membrane.
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