Yes, parasitic plants do have mitochondria.
Even parasitic plants that have lost the ability to perform photosynthesis and have significantly reduced or lost their plastid genes still maintain their mitochondrial genes. These mitochondrial genes typically exhibit only minor alterations compared to non-parasitic plants. This indicates the critical importance of mitochondrial function for survival, even in parasitic plants.
Mitochondria are essential organelles responsible for cellular respiration, generating energy (ATP) through the breakdown of sugars, fats, and proteins. This energy is vital for various cellular processes, regardless of whether a plant is photosynthetic or relies on other plants for nutrients. While parasitic plants obtain their resources from a host plant, they still require energy to transport and process those resources, maintain cellular functions, and reproduce. Therefore, a functional mitochondrion is necessary.
The fact that parasitic plants retain their mitochondrial genes, even after losing photosynthetic capabilities, highlights the fundamental role these organelles play in the plant's basic metabolic processes and overall survival strategy.
