Which of the following provides evidence that mitochondria and chloroplasts were once free-living prokaryotic organisms?
A) They contain nucleoids.
B) They contain their own DNA, independent of the nucleus.
C) They capture the energy of sunlight to make ATP.
D) They produce digestive enzymes on their rough ER.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mitochondria and chloroplasts contain their own DNA, which is separate from the nuclear DNA of the cell they reside in. This characteristic is a key piece of evidence supporting the endosymbiotic theory, which suggests that these organelles were once free-living prokaryotic organisms that were engulfed by a host cell.

Which of the Following Provides Evidence That Mitochondria and Chloroplasts