Question

The structure and function of mitochondria are often used as support for the endosymbiotic theory. Describe two of these properties and explain how they support the theory

Answer 1

endosymbiotic theory stands as truth because of the fact that mitochondria have their own set of DNA, independent of ours. Structure wise you could discuss the folding of the membranes over and over to get more surface area.The function that this holds is that in increases the surface area dramatically, a good analogy is like building a one story building then building a 10 story building, you are still taking up the same amount of space as the single story in the x y range of z increases you ten fold.

Answer 2

Killbot is right about the fact that mitochondria have kept some of their own DNA from the days when they were free living bacteria. The fact that the double membrane has stayed - the inner mitochondrial membrane homologous to the membrane of the free living bacteria and the outer mitochondrial membrane homologous to the membrane of the ancestral cell that engulfed it - also supports the endosymbiotic theory.