Scientists believe that mitochondria may have evolved from bacteria because ____.
A)they both have cristae membranes
B)mitochondria have their own DNA
C)their shapes and sizes are exactly the same
D)both are surrounded by a cell wall
E)both can live independently

Question

Scientists believe that mitochondria may have evolved from bacteria because ____. ​
A)they both have cristae membranes
B)mitochondria have their own DNA
C)their shapes and sizes are exactly the same
D)both are surrounded by a cell wall
E)both can live independently

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mitochondria have their own DNA, and this DNA is similar to that of bacteria. This suggests that at some point in the past, a bacterium was engulfed by another cell and over time evolved into a mitochondrion, retaining its own DNA. This theory is known as endosymbiosis. None of the other answer choices are correct.

Scientists Believe That Mitochondria May Have Evolved from Bacteria Because