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Scientists saw that the membranes of mitochondria and chloroplasts resembled the cell membranes of free-living prokaryotes. This led to two hypotheses. One proposed that mitochondria evolved from endosymbiotic prokaryotes that were able to use oxygen to generate energy rich ATP. The other proposed that chloroplasts evolved from endosymbiotic prokaryotes that had he ability to photosynthesize. Mitochondria and chloroplasts share many features with free-living bacteria, such as there ribosomes have similar size and structure and they reproduce by binary fission. These similarities provide strong evidence of a common ancestry between bacteria and the organelles of living eukaryotic cells.

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12y ago
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1mo ago

Scientists suspect that mitochondria and chloroplasts were originally prokaryotic cells because they have their own DNA, ribosomes, and are capable of replicating independently within the cell. Additionally, these organelles have double membranes, similar to some prokaryotic cells that may have been engulfed by early eukaryotic cells through endosymbiosis.

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15y ago

Their genetic structure more closely resembles that of prokaryotic bacteria than the nuclear material of the cells in which they reside.

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9y ago

Both mitochondria and chloroplast contain their own DNA. They also divide at various times and not always when the rest of the cell divides.

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Q: Why do scientists suspect that mitochondria and chloroplasts were originally prokaryotic cells?
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What parts of a cell do scientists think were once free-living organisms?

Mitochondria and chloroplasts are thought to have once been a free prokaryotic cell.


Is mitochondria green?

No, mitochondria are not green. They are typically colorless or pale in color. The green color associated with some cells or tissues is often due to the presence of chloroplasts, not mitochondria.


Where do scientists believe mitochondria and chloroplasts originated?

Scientists believe that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from ancient prokaryotic cells through a process called endosymbiosis. This theory proposes that mitochondria were once free-living bacteria that were engulfed by a primitive eukaryotic cell, forming a symbiotic relationship. Similarly, chloroplasts are thought to have originated from ancient photosynthetic bacteria that were also engulfed by a eukaryotic cell.


How do the finding of margulis and other scientists-that mitochondria and cholarplasts have third own DNA like a cell nucleus-support the hypothesis of endosymbiosis?

concept that mitochondria and chloroplasts are the result of years of evolution initiated by the endocytosis of bacteria and blue-green algae which, instead of becoming digested, became symbiotic.


What is found in mitochondria and chloroplasts that is not found in any other organelle except the nucleus leading scientists to believe that these two organelles are actually ancient prokayotes?

Mitochondria and chloroplasts contain their own DNA, separate from the cell's nuclear DNA. This unique DNA is circular, similar to bacterial DNA, leading scientists to hypothesize that these organelles were once independent bacteria that were engulfed by a precursor to eukaryotic cells in a symbiotic relationship.

Related questions

What parts of a cell do scientists think were once free-living organisms?

Mitochondria and chloroplasts are thought to have once been a free prokaryotic cell.


Why did scientists place bacteria in their kingdom the monera?

Scientists placed bacteria in their own kingdom, the Monera, because bacteria lack the nuclei, mitochondria, and chloroplasts found in other forms of life


Why did the scientists place bacteria in their own kingdom the Monera?

Scientists placed bacteria in their own kingdom, the Monera, because bacteria lack the nuclei, mitochondria, and chloroplasts found in other forms of life


How do some scientists think that the first eukaryotes evolved?

By various bacteria ingesting but not digesting other bacteria, most likely the precursors of mitochondria (and/or chloroplasts).


Do bacteria have plastids?

No, bacteria do not have plastids. Plastids are organelles found in plant cells and some protists, responsible for functions like photosynthesis and storage of nutrients. Bacteria do not contain plastids in their cellular structure.


Where do scientists believe mitochondria and chloroplasts originated?

Scientists believe that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from ancient prokaryotic cells through a process called endosymbiosis. This theory proposes that mitochondria were once free-living bacteria that were engulfed by a primitive eukaryotic cell, forming a symbiotic relationship. Similarly, chloroplasts are thought to have originated from ancient photosynthetic bacteria that were also engulfed by a eukaryotic cell.


Why did scientist place bacteria in Their own kingdom monera?

Scientists placed bacteria in their own kingdom, the Monera, because bacteria lack the nuclei, mitochondria, and chloroplasts found in other forms of life


Why do scientists believe that mitochondria may have evolved from bacteria?

Scientists believe that mitochondria may have evolved from bacteria because they have their own DNA, replicate independently within cells, and have similar characteristics to certain types of bacteria. Additionally, the endosymbiotic theory suggests that mitochondria were once free-living bacteria that were engulfed by early eukaryotic cells and formed a symbiotic relationship.


Which technique helped scientists in the 1800 to identify cell organelles?

The development of the light microscope in the 1800s helped scientists identify cell organelles. This allowed for better visualization of the internal structure of cells and facilitated the discovery and characterization of organelles such as the nucleus, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.


What does endosymbiotic theory suggest?

The endosymbiotic theory suggests that eukaryotic cells arose from a mutual relationship of prokaryotic cells. Evidence shows that prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells share many characteristics. The theory focuses on the origins of the chloroplasts and mitochondria of photosynthetic prokaryotes and aerobic heterotrophs, respectively. The similarities in characteristics include: 1. They both go through binary fission to reproduce 2. Eukaryotes are about the same size as eubacteria 3. The ribosomes of the eukaryotes, when examined with great detail, more resemble those of a prokaryote than a eukaryote Scientists believe that archezoa, a eurkaryotic organism, most resembles the prokaryotes. It does not contain mitochondria.


How do the finding of margulis and other scientists-that mitochondria and cholarplasts have third own DNA like a cell nucleus-support the hypothesis of endosymbiosis?

concept that mitochondria and chloroplasts are the result of years of evolution initiated by the endocytosis of bacteria and blue-green algae which, instead of becoming digested, became symbiotic.


What did scientists discover with the help microscopes?

Scientists discovered the existence of cells, microorganisms, and structures within cells, such as organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts. Microscopes have also helped researchers study complex biological processes at the cellular and molecular levels.