Do prokaryotes have mitochondria?

No, prokaryotes do not have mitochondria. Since they lack mitochondria to produce energy, they rely on their surroundings to get energy. Most prokaryotes generate energy using electron transport chains located in their cell membrane. These chains use different energy sources depending on the environment where the prokaryotes live.

Prokaryotes need basic nutrients such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur to build their cell components. Because prokaryotes are very small, they only need a tiny amount of these nutrients, which they get efficiently through their cell membrane.

The process in prokaryotes is similar to what mitochondria do in other cells. They use oxidation reactions in the cell membrane to produce energy. In aerobic prokaryotes, electrons eventually combine with oxygen, just like in mitochondria.

The small size of prokaryotic cells helps them manage energy efficiently. If they become too large, their volume increases faster than their surface area, making it harder to absorb nutrients and generate enough energy. This is why prokaryotic cells remain small, ensuring their energy supply meets their needs.