Question

Which of the following are generally viewed as evidence that mitochondria and chloroplasts are derived from single celled organisms (select all that apply)?

		Both miochondria and chloroplasts divide autonomously using a mechanism that resembles binary fission
		Mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes both exhibit sequence similarity to extant single celled organisms
		Mitochondria and chloroplasts are both capable of persisting indefinitely outside of eukaryotic cells
		Both mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own circular genomes

Answer 1

Answer: Options A, B, and C are correct.

Explanation: According to endosymbiont theory, mitochondria and chloroplast were once independent organisms which were ingested by another organism. They resisted the digestion process, lost their autonomy and gradually evolved as cell organelles in eukaryotes.

To support this theory,

i. Both can duplicate in a manner similar to prokaryotic cell division.

ii. Both have their own genome (Circular dsDNA)

iii. Their genomes show sequence similarity to prokaryotes

Mitochondria and chloroplasts have lost their autonomy. So, they can not survive on their own outside the cell.