Which organelles are primarily responsible for providing energy to cells?

• A. Ribosomes
• B. Golgi apparatus
• C. Mitochondria
• D. Lysosomes

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by identifying the primary function of each organelle listed in the problem. Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis, Golgi apparatus is involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins, and lysosomes are involved in digestion and waste removal.
2. Understand the role of mitochondria in the cell. Mitochondria are known as the 'powerhouses' of the cell because they generate most of the cell's supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is used as a source of chemical energy.
3. Recognize that ATP is the energy currency of the cell, and the process of generating ATP occurs in the mitochondria through cellular respiration.
4. Consider the structure of mitochondria, which includes an outer membrane and a highly folded inner membrane where the electron transport chain takes place, facilitating ATP production.
5. Conclude that among the options provided, mitochondria are the organelles primarily responsible for providing energy to cells, as they are directly involved in the production of ATP.