What do you mean by "alive?" Because of course they are alive, regardless of whether you consider them bacteria or not. There is a strange definition of "alive"

What do you mean by "alive?" Because of course they are alive, regardless of whether you consider them bacteria or not. There is a strange definition of "alive" that is being used by you and the author article that I'm not understanding. If a mitochondria is not "alive," then is it dead? Even if it is taking part in an active, living cell?