Are Mitochondria In Prokaryotic Cells

Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the jail cell. In other words, they are the cell structures that serve as an free energy reservoir that powers various cell functions and processes.

Merely did you know that some organisms, specifically the prokaryotic ones don't have mitochondria?

So yous inquire, how practise these organisms manage to survive? Find out the answer beneath.

Do Prokaryotes Accept Mitochondria?

Brusque Answer: No. Only how do prokaryotes produce energy then? Read on.

Origin of Mitochondria

Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms that are composed of the bacteria. Dissimilar eukaryotic cells, they are less structured, contain no nucleus, and lack membrane-bound organelles. And beingness single-celled as they are, prokaryotes too don't have mitochondria.

In fact, in a loose sense, they serve equally the "mitochondria" of themselves. To put it another way, mitochondria are office of eukaryotic cells, which according to scientific studies evolved from bequeathed bacteria.

Endosymbiosis Theory (Source: Wikimedia)

The mitochondria and chloroplasts (photosynthetic organelle) in eukaryotes are the known descendants of aerobic prokaryotes. In 1967, scientist Lynn Margulis published her Endosymbiosis theory about the formation of eukaryotic cells as well equally the origin of the organelles independent inside them.

To explain the origin of the mitochondria and chloroplasts, she suggested that they were once free-living prokaryotes that were engulfed by a larger eukaryotic cell.

Through time, the organelles became one with those cells, yet remained to be genetically distinct from their host. One of import evidence for this merits is the presence of unique genetic material in the eukaryotes' mitochondria and chloroplasts.
Margulis added that life itself, therefore, prevailed over the world non by gainsay, simply rather by networking.

How Do Prokaryotes Get Energy?

Mitochondria in Prokaryotes — Source: Wikimedia

So where do prokaryotes get their energy? Outset, it would be important to notation that the essential organic compounds that make upward the biomolecules in prokaryotes are present equally macronutrients such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, etc.

Being small as they are, prokaryotes need nutrients only in pocket-size amounts and thus obtain them through processes like electron transport chains. To survive, they just need a source of free energy, carbon, and some other nutrients.

In full general, they produce energy the aforementioned way mitochondria harness them, utilizing the oxidation mechanism plant in their cell membrane (which is similar to the construction of the membrane of the mitochondria).

Energy in prokaryotes is produced in the cytoplasm and how it is produced is dependent on the bacterial cell blazon. In the context of the manner of producing free energy, prokaryotes tin can be divided into 2: phototrophs and chemotrophs.
Phototrophs (from the word "photograph" which means "calorie-free"), obtain energy from the sun.
On the other hand, chemotrophs (from the word "chemo" which means "chemical"), get their energy from different compounds. When they use organic compounds as free energy sources, they are chosen as "chemoorganotrophs" whereas if they utilize inorganic energy sources, they are known to be "chemolithotrophs".

In determination, prokaryotes can manage to survive even without mitochondria and other organelles. Isn't it quite incredible how well equipped prokaryotes are?

Cite This Page

References

"What Are Mitochondria?". Accessed December x, 2017. Link.
"History: The Germination of the Endosymbiotic Hypothesis | The Endosymbiotic Hypothesis". Accessed Dec 10, 2017. Link.
"Prokaryotic Metabolism | Boundless Biological science". Accessed December 10, 2017. Link.