The correct answer is d) mitochondrion.
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell. They convert the chemical energy stored in food molecules into a form that the cell can use, primarily through a process called cellular respiration. This process produces adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy currency of the cell.
Here’s a brief explanation of why the other options are incorrect:
- a) Chloroplast: Chloroplasts are found in plant cells and are responsible for photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose, not converting food into ATP.
- b) Endoplasmic reticulum: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is involved in the synthesis of proteins and lipids, but it does not convert food into ATP.
- c) Golgi apparatus: The Golgi apparatus is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or use within the cell, but it does not play a role in energy conversion.
Therefore, the mitochondrion is the organelle that converts the chemical energy stored in food into compounds that are more convenient for the cell to use.