The endosymbiotic theory is the current best understanding science has of how eukaryotic cells first evolved. Which of the following best explains this theory?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Amoeba-like cells “ate” single-celled organisms like mitochondria. Instead of digesting them, the mitochondria started to live inside the amoeba-like cells.
Amoeba-like cells “ate” single-celled organisms like mitochondria. Instead of digesting them, the mitochondria started to live inside the amoeba-like cells.

Amoeba-like cells “eat” single-celled organisms like mitochondria. This process must continue for eukaryotic cells to have mitochondria available.
Amoeba-like cells “eat” single-celled organisms like mitochondria. This process must continue for eukaryotic cells to have mitochondria available.

Amoeba-like cells and single-celled organisms like mitochondria fused together and joined their DNA. With the DNA of both, mitochondria can be built.
Amoeba-like cells and single-celled organisms like mitochondria fused together and joined their DNA. With the DNA of both, mitochondria can be built.

Single-celled organisms like mitochondria “ate” amboeba-like organisms. Instead of digesting them, the mitochondria and amoeba-like cells joined forces.

Answer 1

The best explanation of the endosymbiotic theory among the options provided is:

Amoeba-like cells “ate” single-celled organisms like mitochondria. Instead of digesting them, the mitochondria started to live inside the amoeba-like cells.

This response accurately reflects the core idea of the endosymbiotic theory, which suggests that certain organelles, like mitochondria (and chloroplasts in plants), originated from free-living bacteria that were engulfed by a primitive eukaryotic cell and formed a symbiotic relationship with it.