Question

which statement is evidence used to support the endosymbiotic theory?
mitochondria and chloroplasts contain their own dna.
mitochondria and chloroplasts are surrounded by one membrane.
mitochondria and chloroplasts reproduce similar to eukaryotic cells: through mitosis.

Explanation:

The endosymbiotic theory proposes that mitochondria and chloroplasts were once free - living prokaryotes that were engulfed by a larger cell. One key piece of evidence for this theory is that mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own DNA, similar to prokaryotes. This DNA is circular (like in bacteria) and is separate from the nuclear DNA of the eukaryotic cell.

Option B is incorrect because mitochondria and chloroplasts are surrounded by two membranes. The outer membrane may be from the host cell that engulfed the prokaryote, and the inner membrane may be from the original prokaryote.

Option C is incorrect because mitochondria and chloroplasts reproduce by binary fission (similar to prokaryotes), not by mitosis (which is a characteristic of eukaryotic cell division).

Answer:

A. Mitochondria and chloroplasts contain their own DNA.