https://www.ibiology.org/cell-biology...

Dr. Nunnari explains that mitochondria are derived from prokaryotes and played a pivotal role in the evolution of eukaryotes. In an aerobic environment, mitochondria produce energy, in the form of ATP. This energy allowed eukaryotes to develop into complex cells and organisms. Mitochondria are also fascinating because they have retained their own genome and are dynamic organelles that communicate with other compartments in the eukaryotic cell.