Compare at least two characteristics of mitochondria to prokaryotic cells and explain how this relates to the endosymbiotic theory.

The endosymbiotic theory stated that the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells are actually prokaryotic bacteria which were once engulfed by prehistoric eukaryotic cells as a result of evolution.

Therefore to answer this question, here are some characteristics:

1 Both mitochondria and prokaryotic cells contain their own DNA.

2 Neither of the two have true nuclei, but they do have a space in which their DNA is enclosed.

3 Mitochondria and prokaryotic cells have similar transcriptional machinery, which means that they have the same process of making RNA from DNA.

4 Mitochondria contain their own genome, and the formation of their genome in most organisms is circular similar to prokaryotes.