Which theory for the evolution of mitochondria in eukaryotic cells is depicted in the image below?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks: Which theory for the evolution of mitochondria in eukaryotic cells is depicted?

In the image, the sequence shows an ancestral eukaryotic cell with a prokaryotic cell that becomes enclosed inside a vesicle, later giving rise to organelles with inner and outer mitochondrial membranes and a mitochondrion-like structure. This stepwise depiction aligns with the endosymbiotic theory, which posits that mitochondria originated from free-living prokaryotes that were engulfed by a host cell and established a mutualistic endosymbiotic relationship.

To unpack the reasoning behind this alignment:
- The first stage shows a prokaryotic cell associating with or being taken up by a larger host cell, which mirrors the idea of engulfment and symbiosis rather than mere phagocytosis or abiotic origins.
- The second stage depicts the formation of a vesicle containing the prokaryote, consistent with the internalization concept in endosymbiosis, where the engulfed organism becomes a confined organelle within the host.
- The third stage clearly presents a double-membrane structure labeled as the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes, which is a hallmark feature supporting endosymbiotic origins, since mitochondria possess their own membranes and replicate semi-autonomously.

If alternative theories were on the table, such as autogenous origin (where mitochondrial components arise solely from the host cell’s own membranes) or other non-endosymbiotic ideas, they would struggle to account for the mitochondrion’s distinct double-membrane structure, its own circular DNA, and evidence of bacterial ancestry in mitochondrial ribosomes. The image’s emphasis on an engulfed prokaryotic ancestor and the emergence of a structured, membrane-bound organelle maps directly onto the core predictions of endosymbiotic theory.

In summary, the depicted progression—from a prokaryote being housed inside a host cell to the formation of mitochondria with two membranes—embodies the endosymbiotic framework for mitochondrial evolution.

2025 T1 DP DPST1051 BLSC1342 Molecules, Cells & Genes

Which theory for the evolution of mitochondria in eukaryotic cells is depicted in the image below?

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