"Endo" means "internal" or "within." "Symbiosis" means "a mutually beneficial relationship." How do modern cells demonstrate endosymbiosis? (1 point)

• An amoeba-like organism engulfed prokaryotes, and they eventually became cells, one inside the other.
• Cells are inside the body and work together to function as a whole organism.
Organelles are inside cells and provide cells with energy and proteins, while the cellular membrane shelters the organelles.
Cells benefit from one another by providing different functions and are found within organ systems of the body.

1 answer

Modern cells demonstrate endosymbiosis primarily through the idea that certain organelles, such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, originated from free-living prokaryotes that were engulfed by a host cell and established a mutually beneficial relationship. This aligns with the first statement: "An amoeba-like organism engulfed prokaryotes, and they eventually became cells, one inside the other." This concept is crucial in understanding the evolutionary transition from prokaryotic to eukaryotic cells, showcasing how these engulfed prokaryotes evolved over time into essential organelles that contribute to the cell's functions.