How Are Mitochondria Similar To Chloroplasts? 5 Facts

Mitochondria and chloroplast forms to be the two important organelles within the plant cell. Let us explore how mitochondria are similar to chloroplasts. 

Mitochondria are similar to chloroplasts through the common function of energy production within the plant cells. Both are involved in the production of Adenosine triphosphate in order to support the activities of cells. 

Let us see more details on the relation between mitochondria and chloroplast, their similarities, differences and many more topics in this article.

How is mitochondria related to chloroplasts?

Each organelle within the cells are related with the other through some similar functions or structural implications. Let us check if mitochondria is related to chloroplast.

Mitochondria is related to chloroplast as both are highly evolved forms of organelles which are found only in eukaryotic cell. It has been identified that both the organelles have derived their origin from prokaryotic bacteria and have functional as well as structural similarity within the plants cells. 

Similarities between mitochondria and chloroplast

Few organelles within the cells tend to share similar functions or structures with other organelles. Let us check if mitochondria has any similarities with chloroplast.

Mitochondria has been found to have a series of similarities with chloroplast, which are as follows:

1. Energy production

• The prime similarity between mitochondria and chloroplast is the functional aspect of energy production.
• Both the organelles engage in converting energy out of the cells in the form of ATP which can be used by the cells to support cellular activities. 

2. Genomic content

• Both mitochondria and chloroplast have very similar DNA and RNA, where both have circular structure.
• Both the organelles have DNA that exists independently and codes for specific enzymes to support important chemical reactions. 

3. Membranes

• They have been identified to have a double layered membrane, the inner membrane and the outer membrane, which surrounds them. 

4. Ribosome

• Both the organelles contain a 70S ribosome (S=Svedberg units), which is made of two smaller subunits, that are 30S and 50S subunits.
• These ribosome units are used in the translation of some specific kinds of proteins.

5. ATP synthase enzyme

• In both the organelles, the ATP synthase enzyme engages in consuming the overall energy that is released from the movement of the protons in order to facilitate the phosphorylation of ADP to ATP. 

6. Chemical reactions

• In both the components, chemical reactions are initiated in a manner where the initial acceptor gets further reproduced at the end of the cycle.
• For example, the Krebs cycle within mitochondria, the initial acceptor, oxaloacetate gets reproduced at the end of the entire chemical cycle.
• Similarly, in chloroplasts, the initial acceptor ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) gets reproduced at the end of the entire chemical reaction.

7. Movement

• Both mitochondria and chloroplast has the ability to freely move from one place to another in the cell.
• They are identified to be semi-autonomous, which shows their ability to act independently to some extent.

Difference between mitochondria and chloroplast

In various intracellular organelles, there are differences among various factors. Let us check if there are any such differences between chloroplast and mitochondria. 

A series of differences can be listed between chloroplast and mitochondria, which are as follows: 

Mitochondria vs chloroplast structure

There are evident structural differences among various intracellular organelles. Let us check if there are any structural differences between chloroplast and mitochondria.

The two main factors of differences in the structure between chloroplast and mitochondria are shape and inner membrane. Let us discuss this in details.

1. Shape

• Chloroplasts have been identified to have an ellipsoidal shape which stands to be symmetrical across three axes, whereas Mitochondria are oblong in shape but over the time it has the ability to change shape in a rapid manner. 

2. Inner Membrane

• In mitochondria, the inner membrane is framed in an elaborate manner whereas in the chloroplast it is more complex in nature.
• The inner membrane within mitochondria constraints defined structures called cristae to maximise the overall surface area.  
• In the inner membrane of mitochondria, several chemical reactions like filtering various molecules and transporting proteins by attaching molecules takes place. The inner membrane of chloroplast is made of stacks of thylakoids which have chlorophyll, and thus works on facilitating the process of photosynthesis. 

Do prokaryotic cells have chloroplast and mitochondria?

Prokaryotic cells are mostly single celled organisms and lack the hierarchy in terms of evolution. Let us check if prokaryotic cells have chloroplast and mitochondria. 

There have been no traces of chloroplast and mitochondria within the prokaryotes and are found only in the set of eukaryotic cells. Certain prokaryotic cells still stand the ability to perform aerobic respiration which is similar to the one performed within mitochondria. 

Conclusion 

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