Question

Lynn Margulis developed the endosymbiont theory to explain the evolution of certain eukaryotic organelles, such as chloroplasts and mitochondria. According to this theory, which of these events occurred to an ancient prokaryotic cell? A. Mutations caused the cell's DNA to direct the synthesis of new organelles. B. The cell nucleus divided and changed to form other types of organelles. C. The cell took in another ancient prokaryotic cell, which began living inside it. D. The cell membrane divided and changed to form new types of organelles.

Answer 1

The answer is: letter C, The cell took in another ancient prokaryotic cell, which began living inside it.

Step-by-step explanation:

"Endosymbiotic Theory" states that certain eukaryotic organelles evolved when multiple cells merged together. So, this created a "symbiotic relationship" among them. The organism that lives inside the other organism is called the "endosymbiont."

An example of this are the eukaryotic cells, which took in a prokaryotic cell (such as the ancient chloroplasts and mitochondrion). These ancient prokaryotes used to be free-living. They were often engulfed by another cell. However, in this theory, they are not killed; rather, the host cell helps it to thrive. This caused the organelles to evolve together with the host cell.

Thus, this explains the answer.