Look at the data in the table to the right. Then, answer the question that follows.

Based on the data in the table, what conclusion can you draw about the energy needs of different cells?

A. All cells need the same amount of energy.
B. Skin cells use more energy than muscle cells.
C. Cells that need more energy, like muscle cells, have more mitochondria.
D. Cells that have more mitochondria are larger than other types of cells.

\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
\hline
Cell Type & \begin{tabular}{c}
Number of \\
Mitochondria
\end{tabular} \\
\hline
Typical animal cell & [tex]$1,000-2,000$[/tex] \\
\hline
Skin & 200 \\
\hline
Muscle & [tex]$\ \textgreater \ 2,000$[/tex] \\
\hline
Liver & [tex]$\ \textgreater \ 2,000$[/tex] \\
\hline
\end{tabular}



Answer :

Let’s analyze the data presented in the table regarding the number of mitochondria in different cell types:

1. Typical Animal Cell: The number of mitochondria ranges from 1,000 to 2,000.
2. Skin Cells: There are 200 mitochondria.
3. Muscle Cells: There are more than 2,000 mitochondria.
4. Liver Cells: There are more than 2,000 mitochondria.

From this data, we can draw conclusions about the energy needs of different cells:

- Skin Cells: Have 200 mitochondria. Skin cells have fewer mitochondria compared to typical animal cells, muscle cells, and liver cells. This lower count suggests that skin cells do not have high energy demands.
- Typical Animal Cells: Have between 1,000 to 2,000 mitochondria. These cells have a moderate number of mitochondria, which implies a moderate energy requirement.
- Muscle Cells: Have more than 2,000 mitochondria. These cells have a higher count of mitochondria compared to typical and skin cells, indicating that muscle cells require a substantial amount of energy to function properly.
- Liver Cells: Have more than 2,000 mitochondria. Similar to muscle cells, liver cells have a high number of mitochondria, implying a high energy requirement.

Given the role of mitochondria in energy production within cells, the number of mitochondria is directly related to the cell’s energy needs. Cells that perform more intensive functions or are more active typically need more energy and thus have more mitochondria.

Therefore, the correct conclusion based on the data from the table is:

Cells that need more energy, like muscle cells, have more mitochondria.

This conclusion aligns with the observation that muscle and liver cells, which have high energy requirements, possess a greater number of mitochondria compared to skin cells, which have lower energy demands.