Chloroplasts and Mitochondria Originated from ________ by a Process Known

Question

Chloroplasts and mitochondria originated from ________ by a process known as ________.
A) bacteria / chromosome reduction
B) plants / gene deletion
C) bacteria / endosymbiosis
D) plants / endosymbiosis

Accepted Answer

Chloroplasts and mitochondria are believed to have originated from free-living bacteria that were engulfed by primitive eukaryotic cells in a process called endosymbiosis. This theory is supported by the fact that both organelles have their own DNA and specializations that are similar to those of free-living bacteria.