The part of an animal cell that is commonly referred to as the powerhouse is the mitochondrion, or mitochondria when talking about multiple. These organelles are critical for generating energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy currency of the cell.
Mitochondria are unique because they have their own DNA and are thought to have originated from ancient bacteria that entered into a symbiotic relationship with early eukaryotic cells. They play a vital role in various metabolic processes, including the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.
In essence, without mitochondria, cells would struggle to produce the energy necessary for their functions, making them indispensable for life as we know it.