Students are examining cells from a certain organism under a microscope. They notice mitochondria, a nucleus, chloroplasts, and ribosomes in each cell. What type of cells are they viewing and how do you know

Answer 1

The students are viewing plant cells. This conclusion can be drawn based on the presence of chloroplasts, which are organelles found in plant cells that are responsible for photosynthesis.

Here's a breakdown of the organelles mentioned:

1. Mitochondria: These organelles are found in both plant and animal cells, and they are responsible for energy production through cellular respiration.

2. Nucleus: The presence of a nucleus indicates that the cells are eukaryotic, as prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus.

3. Chloroplasts: These are specifically found in plant cells (and some protists). They contain chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis, allowing plants to convert solar energy into chemical energy.

4. Ribosomes: These organelles are present in all cell types (both prokaryotic and eukaryotic) and are responsible for protein synthesis.

Thus, the combination of mitochondria, a nucleus, and chloroplasts strongly indicates that the cells being examined are from a plant organism.