Question

Which of the following pairs of organelles is a semi-autonomous?
A. Mitochondria and chloroplasts
B. Mitochondria and golgi body
C. Mitochondria and E.R
D. Mitochondria and lysosomes

Answer 1

Cells are made up of various types of cell organelles and the organelles which contain genetic material i.e. DNA is known as semi-autonomous organelles.

Complete Answer:
Let's discuss the option and find out the correct answer.

Option A: Both mitochondria and chloroplasts are the two cellular organelles which are descended from the bacterial cell. Therefore, they possess their own DNA and are called semi-autonomous cell organelles. They can synthesize their own proteins. Therefore, this is the correct option.

Option B: The Golgi apparatus is a part of the endomembrane system and it does not contain its own DNA. The system consists of endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosome and plasma membrane. The Golgi apparatus receives materials from the cytosol and endoplasmic reticulum in the form of transitional vesicles. The vesicles move to the forming face of the Golgi bodies and fuse there with existing cisternae and help in the growth of the organelle. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Option C: Mitochondria is a powerhouse of cells, it generates energy in the form of ATP, whereas ribosome help is production of protein synthesis. Ribosomes do not contain their own DNA. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Option D: Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles and they contain digestive enzymes that digest excess or worn out organelles, engulfed viruses or bacteria, food particles, and macromolecules. But they do not contain their own DNA. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Thus, the correct option is A) Mitochondria and chloroplast.

Note: Chloroplast and mitochondria are called semi autonomous organelles as they have single stranded DNA. The genes present in chloroplast and mitochondria follow cytoplasmic inheritance as compared to the nuclear genes that follow the Mendelian, biparental inheritance. This means that these genes are transmitted with cytoplasm.