# Explain why plant cells contain chloroplasts and mitochondria, but animal cells contain only mitochondria.

> AQA GCSE Biology (8461) — 4.1.1 Cell structure · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Mitochondria are the site of respiration
2. Both plant and animal cells need energy / carry out respiration, so both need mitochondria
3. Chloroplasts are the site of photosynthesis
4. Animal cells cannot photosynthesise, so they do not need chloroplasts

## Key terms

- [chloroplast](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/chloroplast)
- [mitochondria](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/mitochondria)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Biology (8461)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-plant-cells-contain-chloroplasts-ef74d09a) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.