Question

The observation that chloroplasts and mitochondria each contain their own dna and synthesize some of the proteins that function in these organelles suggests that chloroplasts and mitochondria __________. must divide each time the cell containing them divides are produced by the nucleus of the cell contain three sets of membranes are part of the endomembrane system

Answer 1

The answer to this question relates to the evolution of prokaryotic cells. The first simple prokaryotic cells likely evolved mitochondria from a cell that engulfed an aerobic prokaryotic cell, resulting in an endosymbiotic relationship, and gradual development into a mitochondrion. Something similar happened in regards to chloroplasts, except the original cell engulfed was probably a simple photosynthesising bacteria such as cyanobacteria.