The main arena of cellular activities in plant and animal cells is

Options

A. Cell membrane
B. Mitochondria
C. Cytoplasm
D. Ribosome

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks for the main area where cellular activities occur in both plant and animal cells. This implies we need to identify a specific part of the cell that is responsible for performing various functions.

2. **Identifying Cellular Structures**: The key structures in a cell include the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and organelles such as mitochondria and ribosomes. Each of these structures has specific functions.

3. **Cell Membrane**: The cell membrane is the outermost layer of the cell, providing a barrier and controlling the movement of substances in and out of the cell. However, it does not perform the majority of cellular activities.

4. **Mitochondria**: Known as the powerhouse of the cell, mitochondria are responsible for energy production. While they are crucial for cellular respiration, they do not encompass all cellular activities.

5. **Cytoplasm**: The cytoplasm is the fluid that fills the cell and is located between the cell membrane and the nuclear membrane. It contains various organelles that perform different functions.

6. **Role of Organelles**: Within the cytoplasm, organelles like ribosomes (which synthesize proteins) and mitochondria (which produce energy) work together. The presence of multiple organelles allows for a division of labor, meaning that different functions can occur simultaneously.

7. **Conclusion**: Given that the cytoplasm houses all the organelles and is where most cellular activities occur, it is identified as the main arena of cellular activities in both plant and animal cells.

**Final Answer**: The main arena of cellular activities in plant and animal cells is the **cytoplasm**.

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