Question

Minimum number of mitochondria will be present in

• A. meristematic cells
• B. cardiac cells
• C. mature RBCs
• D. liver cells

Answer 1

The correct option is C mature RBCs

The number of mitochondria varies in different types of cells depending upon the energy requirement. Actively dividing cells such as meristematic cells have very high numbers of mitochondria.

Cardiac cells contract and relax continuously throughout our lifetime. Hence, more mitochondria are present in them to provide the necessary energy to keep the heart beating at all times.

Mature RBCs are devoid of practically all the organelles. This is done to accommodate more space to transport gases. Also, the lack of mitochondria, ensures that no oxygen is utilised by the RBCs themselves.

The liver cells are highly rich in the number and density of mitochondria. The high regenerative capacity of the liver, the presence of many metabolic cycles and metabolites attributes to this high number of mitochondria. The liver is an important site for the metabolism of fats and detoxification of harmful metabolites. Thus, a high number of mitochondria can be observed in the liver cells (hepatocytes).