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Multiple Choice
What similarities do mitochondria and chloroplasts share?
A
Both produce ATP through glycolysis.
B
Both are found in animal cells.
C
Both are involved in the process of photosynthesis.
D
Both have their own DNA and ribosomes.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the basic functions of mitochondria and chloroplasts. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, primarily involved in energy production through cellular respiration. Chloroplasts are involved in photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.
Consider the structural similarities between mitochondria and chloroplasts. Both organelles have a double membrane structure, which is crucial for their respective functions.
Explore the genetic aspect of these organelles. Both mitochondria and chloroplasts contain their own DNA, which is separate from the nuclear DNA of the cell. This DNA is circular, similar to bacterial DNA, suggesting an evolutionary origin from prokaryotic cells.
Examine the presence of ribosomes in both organelles. Mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own ribosomes, which are similar to those found in prokaryotes, allowing them to synthesize some of their own proteins independently of the cell's cytoplasmic ribosomes.
Reflect on the evolutionary theory of endosymbiosis, which proposes that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from free-living bacteria that were engulfed by ancestral eukaryotic cells. This theory explains why these organelles have their own DNA and ribosomes.