Question

The chemical reactions involved in respiration in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are virtually identical. In eukaryotic cells, ATP is synthesized primarily on the inner membrane of the mitochondria. In light of the endosymbiont theory for the evolutionary origin of mitochondria, where is most ATP synthesis likely to occur in prokaryotic cells? a. on the nucleoid membrane b. in the cytoplasm c. on the endoplasmic reticulum d. on the plasma membrane

Answer 1

Answer:

d. on the plasma membrane

Explanation:

According to the endosymbiotic theory the origin of mitochondrion is from the prokaryotic organism: primitive host cell (future eukaryotic cell) engulfed prokaryotic cell (endosymbiont) that provided the functions that evolved into mitochondria. Both of them had benefits: the endosymbiont gained protection and  some essential nutrients from the host, while host had the energy and oxygen source from the endosymbiont.

So, the plasma membrane of the endosymbiotic prokaryotic cell became the membrane of the mitochondrion.