Question

what does the endosymbiotic theory postulate?
○ eukaryotic cells evolved the capacity to compartmentalize different chemical reactions within membrane-bound organelles.
○ prokaryotic cells originated from the spontaneous synthesis of macromolecules and self-replicating rna.
○ eukaryotic cells gained some of their organelles when one unicellular organism engulfed another, forming a mutually beneficial relationship.
○ prokaryotic cells evolved photosynthesis, a mechanism that converts light energy to chemical energy in the form of sugar molecules.

Explanation:

The endosymbiotic theory (also known as endosymbiosis theory) states that eukaryotic cells gained some of their organelles (like mitochondria and chloroplasts) when one unicellular organism engulfed another, and over time, a mutually beneficial (endosymbiotic) relationship developed. Let's analyze the options:

• The first option is about compartmentalization via membrane - bound organelles, which is not the core of endosymbiotic theory.
• The second option is about the origin of prokaryotic cells from macromolecules and self - replicating RNA, which is related to the origin of life or prokaryotes, not endosymbiotic theory.
• The third option matches the definition of endosymbiotic theory.
• The fourth option is about the evolution of photosynthesis in prokaryotes, which is not related to endosymbiotic theory.

Answer:

C. Eukaryotic cells gained some of their organelles when one unicellular organism engulfed another, forming a mutually beneficial relationship.