Select the facts that support the endosymbiotic theory. Check All That Apply Mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own DNA. Mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own DNA. Mitochondria and chloroplasts often leave cells, surviving well on their own. Mitochondria and chloroplasts often leave cells, surviving well on their own. Mitochondria and chloroplasts are surrounded by two membranes. Mitochondria and chloroplasts are surrounded by two membranes. Mitochondria are about the same size as most bacteria.

The endosymbiotic theory, also known as symbiogenesis, is a theory that explains how eukaryotic organisms have been formed from prokaryotic cells. This theory holds that eukaryotic organisms originated from prokaryotic organisms that engulfed another prokaryotic cell, creating thus an organism with multiple membranes. In consequence, eukaryotic organelles, including mitochondria and chloroplasts, would have evolved from these prokaryotic endosymbionts. Moreover, both mitochondria and chloroplasts contain their own genes which are localized in a circular chromosome, thereby supporting an endosymbiotic origin of both organelles. Finally, bacterial cells have 1 to 10 microns in length, while mitochondria have a similar size, thereby also supporting an endosymbiotic origin of this organelle.