Question

Mitochondria and chloroplasts are
(a) Semi-autonomous organelles
(b) Formed by division of pre-existing organelles and they contain DNA but lack protein synthesising machinery.
Which one of the following options is correct?

• A. Both a and b are false
• B. Both a and b are correct
• C. b is true but a is false
• D. a is true but b is false

Answer 1

The correct option is D a is true but b is false

• Both the cellular organelles mitochondria and chloroplasts have evolved from specialized bacteria (not de novo or new) which survived endocytosis by other cells and got incorporated into the cytoplasm of the cell.
  
• Hence, they have a membrane similar to bacteria and possess their own nucleic acids (DNA) and thus, known as semi-autonomous organelles.
• So, the correct answer is 'a is true but b is false'.