In eukaryotes, mitochondria are primarily involved in which function?

In eukaryotes, mitochondria are primarily involved in energy release and capture, which is fundamental to cellular respiration. Mitochondria are often referred to as the "powerhouses" of the cell because they are the primary site where adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is produced through the process of oxidative phosphorylation. This process involves a series of chemical reactions that convert energy stored in nutrients into ATP, the energy currency of the cell, which is essential for various cellular functions and activities.

Mitochondria have their own DNA and machinery to carry out some of the processes necessary for ATP production, making them integral to energy metabolism. They play a crucial role in converting biochemical energy from food into a form that the cell can use, enabling essential life processes such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation, and biosynthesis of biomolecules.

While protein synthesis, material storage, and cell division are vital cellular functions, they are not the primary roles of mitochondria. Protein synthesis occurs mainly in ribosomes, material storage is typically associated with other organelles such as vacuoles, and cell division is primarily governed by processes involving the nucleus and cytoskeletal elements. Thus, the correct emphasis on mitochondria's role in energy release