Both plants and animals need mitochondria to produce ATP.
Mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell because they are the primary site of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production through a process known as oxidative phosphorylation. ATP serves as the main energy currency for cells, enabling various biological processes.
While plants also perform photosynthesis in their chloroplasts to convert sunlight into energy and can generate ATP through that process, they still rely on mitochondria for ATP production during cellular respiration, especially when there is no sunlight available. Animals, on the other hand, rely solely on mitochondria for ATP production, as they acquire energy by consuming organic substances.
Other options listed, such as phospholipid and lipid production or protein breakdown, do involve cellular processes but are not the primary function of mitochondria.