Chapter 23, Problem 1VCQ

Figure 23.5 What evidence is there that mitochondria were incorporated into the ancestral eukaryotic cell before chloroplasts?

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

Evidence that suggests mitochondria were incorporated into the ancestral eukaryotes before chloroplasts.

Introduction:

Mitochondria and chloroplast are believed to have evolved as a result of endosymbiosis. The chloroplasts from cyanobacteria that was internalized by larger Archean and mitochondria from a proto aerobic bacterium.

Explanation of Solution

The evidence that mitochondria were incorporated much before chloroplasts in the ancestral eukaryotes is that while mitochondria are found in all the eukaryotes chloroplast is found only in green plants that are capable of producing their own food by photosynthesis.

Conclusion

Mitochondria are believed to have been internalized before the chloroplast, which is evident from the fact that mitochondria are found in all the eukaryotic organisms while chloroplast is not.