Question

(a) Name the scientists who discovered mitochondria.
(b) Which is the most indispensable in the life of a cell - mitochondria, chloroplasts or Golgi body? Why?

Answer 1

Hint: Mitochondria, Chloroplasts and Golgi bodies are all cell organelles, that is small structures having some specific function and shape within a living cell.

Complete answer:
Mitochondria was discovered by Richard Altman in 1890. Earlier, he named these organelles as 'bio blasts'. Later, these organelles were named 'mitochondria' by Carl Benda in 1898. It is a derived from two Greek root words derived from "mitos" meaning thread, and "chondrion" meaning granule or grain-like.
Literal meaning of the word indispensable is irreplaceable. Therefore, something that cannot be replaced. Though every cell organelle has some specific job which is important and relevant yet there is one organelle which is considered indispensable and that is mitochondria since it serves many functions at the same. Its main function is energy manufacturing for the cell due to which it is also called powerhouse of the cell. Besides, it maintains muscle strength, helps in manufacturing of certain hormones like oestrogen and progesterone, detoxification of ammonia from liver, etc. All these functions along with energy manufacturing tasks make it an indispensable part of the cell.
However, Golgi bodies are concerned with protein synthesis inside the cell body whereas Chloroplasts found only in plant cells are responsible for manufacturing of food for cells. These organelles require energy for proper functioning which is made by mitochondria. Thus, it is an indispensable organelle.

Note:
They are the ultimate functional units of a cell which is the functional unit of an organism. Chloroplasts are present only in plant cells while mitochondria and Golgi bodies are common to both plant and animal cells.