Write two similarities and difference between mitochondria and chloroplast.
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Compare and Contrast: Chloroplasts and Mitochondria
Updated on October 24, 2018
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Chloroplasts visible in Scenedesmus, a green algae.
Chloroplasts visible in Scenedesmus, a green algae. | Source
Chloroplast and Mitochondria are organelles found in the cells of living organisms and perform functions vital for the cell to live. This article will go over the characteristics of these organelles as well as the major differences and similarities of these organelles.
Questions This Article Will Answer
What are their similarities and differences?
What is the structure and function of mitochondria?
Where is the mitochondria located in a cell?
What is the structure and function of chloroplasts?
Where is the chloroplast located in a cell?
What are the main differences between an animal and a plant cell?
1. Similarities and Differences
Like the mitochondria, the chloroplast has an inner and outer membrane. Inside the membranes are its different parts. These include thylakoids and stroma. A stack of thylakoids is called a grana. Chlorophyll molecules on the thylakoids capture sunlight and begin the process of photosynthesis.
Similarities of Mitochondria and Chloroplasts
convert energy
have its own DNA
enclosed by two membranes
oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are involved in its processes
both have fluids inside of them
Differences Between Mitochondria and Chloroplasts
Chloroplast
Mitochondria
Plural: chloroplasts
Plural: mitochondria
Usually found in plants and unicellular organisms.
Found in almost all cells.
Converts solar/light energy into chemical energy (sugar).
Converts chemical energy (sugar) into another form of chemical energy (ATP), which is simpler and could be used by the cell.
Process is photosynthesis: composed of Light Reactions and Calvin Benson Cycle.
Process is cellular respiration: composed of Glycolysis, ETC, and Oxidative Phosphorylation.
Has three compartments(parts): thylakoids (traps sunlight), granum (pl: grana; stacks of thylakoids), stroma (fluid inside the outer membrane, which interacts with the cytoplasm. It surrounds the granum and thylakoids.
Has two compartments. Crista (pl:cristae) is the compartment formed by the inner and outer membrane of the mitochondria; it is the layer of folds in the mitochondria and is studded with proteins. The other compartment is called matrix; it is the fluid inside the foldings (cristae).
Explanation:
Similarities between mitochondria and chloroplast:
- Provide energy to cell: Mitochondria and chloroplast both can convert energy into usable form for use by the cell.
- Both the organelles have DNA which is circular in shape and not linear.
Differences between mitochondria and chloroplast:
- Present in all aerobic organisms be it plants or animals but chloroplast is present only in green plants and green algae.
- Mitochondria is colorless but chloroplast is green colored.
- Two chambers present in mitochondria are matrix and cristae whereas the two chambers present in chloroplast are stroma and thylakoid.
- Mitochondria consumes oxygen whereas Chloroplast release oxygen.
- No pigments in mitochondria but pigments like chlorophyll, carotenoids present in chloroplast.