Question

Mitochondria and chloroplasts are considered to be endosymbionts of cells because they

• A. Do not arise de novo
• B. Possess their own nucleic acids
• C. Have membranes similar to those of bacteria
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D All of the above

• The endosymbiotic theory explains the origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts of a cell.
  
• The theory states that both the mitochondria and chloroplasts are descended 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.
• So, the correct answer is 'All of the above'.