Which type of cell contains mitochondria?

Eukaryotic cells are defined by the presence of membrane-bound organelles, one of the most notable being the mitochondrion. Mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell because they are the sites of ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation.

Eukaryotic cells, which include animals, plants, fungi, and protists, have a complex cellular structure that includes a nucleus and various organelles, such as mitochondria. These organelles are crucial for energy metabolism, cellular respiration, and overall energy homeostasis in eukaryotic organisms.

In contrast, prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria and archaea, lack these membrane-bound organelles, including mitochondria. Instead, prokaryotes perform energy-generating processes across their plasma membrane, utilizing different mechanisms that do not involve mitochondria.

Thus, the answer is focused on the defining characteristic of eukaryotic cells–the presence of mitochondria–which are absent in prokaryotic cells.