Cellular respiration occurs primarily in the mitochondria , often called the “powerhouse of the cell.”

Quick Scoop

  • In most eukaryotic cells (like human, animal, and plant cells), the main organelle for cellular respiration is the mitochondrion.
  • The Krebs cycle and electron transport chain, which produce most of the ATP, take place in the mitochondrial matrix and inner mitochondrial membrane.
  • Glycolysis (the first step of cellular respiration) happens in the cytoplasm, but the major ATP-generating stages are inside the mitochondria.

So if you see the question “in what organelle does cellular respiration occur?” , the best, exam-style answer is: mitochondria.

TL;DR: The main organelle where cellular respiration occurs is the mitochondria. Glycolysis starts in the cytoplasm, but most energy production happens in the mitochondria.

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