What structure in eukaryotic cells is involved in producing energy?

The mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of eukaryotic cells because they are the primary sites for energy production through a process called cellular respiration. This process involves converting biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy currency of the cell.

Mitochondria have their own DNA and are capable of self-replication, which is indicative of their evolutionary origins as once-independent prokaryotic organisms. They play a crucial role in metabolizing oxygen and nutrients to produce ATP, which fuels various cellular processes. Additionally, the structure of mitochondria, with their inner and outer membranes, creates compartments that facilitate the different stages of respiration, such as the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.

Other options, while important for different cellular functions, do not directly contribute to energy production in the same manner as mitochondria. The Golgi apparatus is involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion or use within the cell. Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis, translating RNA into polypeptides. The plasma membrane primarily functions as a barrier that regulates what enters and exits the cell, maintaining homeostasis rather than generating energy.