Explain the endosymbiotic hypothesis of the origin of mitochondria, hydrogenosomes, and chloroplasts. list two pieces of evidence that support this hypothesis.

Question: Explain the endosymbiotic hypothesis of the origin of mitochondria, hydrogenosomes, and chloroplasts. list two pieces of evidence that support this hypothesis.

The endosymbiotic hypothesis suggests that mitochondria, hydrogenosomes, and chloroplasts are organelles that originated from free-living prokaryotic organisms that were engulfed by a host cell. According to this hypothesis, the engulfed organism and the host cell formed a symbiotic relationship, with the host cell providing protection and nutrients to the engulfed organism, while the organism provided energy to the host cell. Over time, the engulfed organism evolved into the organelles we see today.

There are several pieces of evidence that support this hypothesis, including:-

1. Mitochondria, hydrogenosomes, and chloroplasts all have their own DNA, which is circular, just like that of prokaryotic organisms.

2. Mitochondria, hydrogenosomes, and chloroplasts all have their own ribosomes, which are similar in size and structure to those found in prokaryotic organisms. This suggests that these organelles are capable of protein synthesis, just like prokaryotic organisms.