What organelle is responsible for combining oxygen with nutrients in food to produce energy?

Mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell because they play a crucial role in cellular respiration, a process that converts nutrients into energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This process involves combining oxygen with glucose and other nutrients obtained from food. The mitochondria contain enzymes that facilitate the oxidation of these nutrients, resulting in the production of ATP, which cells use for various functions, making them essential for energy production in both plant and animal cells.

In contrast, chloroplasts are primarily involved in photosynthesis in plant cells, where they convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose, rather than directly producing energy from nutrients. Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis, while the nucleus houses genetic material and is involved in regulating gene expression and cell division. Thus, their functions do not include energy production from nutrients.