No, viruses do not contain mitochondria.
Understanding Viruses and Mitochondria
Viruses are significantly different from cells. Unlike cells, viruses lack many essential structures, including mitochondria. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells, responsible for generating energy. Viruses, being non-cellular entities, rely entirely on their host cells for energy production and all other metabolic processes. They hijack the host's cellular machinery for replication and survival.
Several sources explicitly state that viruses lack mitochondria and other organelles. For example, this Byju's answer clearly states: "A virus lacks mitochondria and other biological organelles. They rely entirely on their biological hosts for energy and protein synthesis." Similarly, this PMC article notes that "As viruses have no ribosomes, mitochondria, or other organelles, they are...".
While some research explores the interaction between viruses and mitochondria (e.g., this PubMed article), indicating that viruses can affect mitochondrial function, this doesn't mean that viruses possess mitochondria themselves. The effect is one of manipulation and hijacking of the host's cellular components, not possession.
- Key takeaway: The absence of mitochondria is a defining characteristic of viruses. Their parasitic nature requires them to utilize the host cell's resources, including energy production from the host's mitochondria.
