Which of the following statements provides the best support for the hypothesis that the mitochondria and plastids of modern eukaryotic cells were originally independent, free-living bacteria?
A) The RNA sequence of ribosomes in mitochondria and plastids is similar in sequence to that of the cytoplasmic ribosomes in the eukaryotic cell and both mitochondria and plastids have histone proteins wrapped around the RNA.
B) The RNA of mitochondria and plastids are double stranded and allow these organelles to replicate themselves in a way that is similar to that of modern bacteria.
C) The DNA of mitochondria and plastids are similar to each other and both contain histone proteins wrapped around the DNA.
D) The DNA of mitochondria and plastids is circular and the ribosomes of mitochondria and plastids are more similar to that of bacterial ribosomes than to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm of the eukaryotic cell.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of circular DNA and ribosomes in mitochondria and plastids that resemble those found in bacteria support the endosymbiotic theory, suggesting these organelles were once independent bacteria.

Which of the Following Statements Provides the Best Support for the Hypothesis