Final answer:
Bacteria and plants both have DNA and ribosomes, reflecting a shared evolutionary history. They have cell walls and are linked through the endosymbiotic theory, evidencing a deep connection stemming from the common ancestor of all life. Biochemical unity across all life forms highlights fundamental similarities despite differences in complexity and size.
Step-by-step explanation:
The similarity between bacteria and plants is rooted in their shared evolutionary history. Both bacteria and plants have cellular structures with DNA and ribosomes, crucial components for reproduction and protein synthesis. Additionally, both organisms have cell walls, although their compositions are different, with plants having cellulose-based walls and bacteria often having peptidoglycan.
This structural feature reflects their common evolutionary origin and the biochemical unity that persists across different life forms. The most notable similarity can be traced back to the endosymbiotic theory, where host cells ingested certain bacteria which did not get destroyed, eventually giving rise to mitochondria in most eukaryotes and chloroplasts in plants. The endosymbiotic event demonstrates a fundamental link in the evolutionary line connecting these organisms.
Another critical aspect is that, regardless of size or complexity, all living organisms share the same biochemical building blocks. As stated by French scientist Jacques Monod, this biochemical continuity, spanning from unicellular organisms like E. coli to large multicellular organisms like elephants, shows a fundamental biochemical unity. Even the most complex multicellular organisms begin life as a single cell, akin to bacteria, which are single-celled organisms.