Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

What is the primary function of mitochondria in eukaryotic cells?

1. Protein synthesis

2. Cell membrane repair

3. Energy production

4. Cell division

The correct answer is: Energy production

Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, primarily due to their crucial role in energy production. They are the site where adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the cell, is produced through processes such as oxidative phosphorylation and the Krebs cycle. This energy is essential for various cellular functions, enabling cells to perform the necessary tasks for growth, repair, and maintaining homeostasis. The double-membrane structure of mitochondria facilitates the compartmentalization of metabolic pathways critical for efficient ATP generation. While protein synthesis is indeed a vital process in cells, it predominantly occurs in ribosomes, not mitochondria. Cell membrane repair involves the activity of various proteins and components that do not specifically relate to mitochondria. Similarly, cell division is managed by different cell structures and mechanisms, including the spindle apparatus and centrosomes, rather than the energy-producing function of mitochondria. Thus, the unique role of mitochondria in energy production is what distinguishes them as essential organelles within eukaryotic cells.