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Why do mitochondria and chloroplast have DNA?

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Mitochondria and chloroplasts have striking similarities to bacteria cells. They have their own DNA, which is separate from the DNA found in the nucleus of the cell. And both organelles use their DNA to produce many proteins and enzymes required for their function. read more

According to the endosymbiosis theory, Mitochondria and chloroplasts were once organisms (bacteria) of their own that got engulfed by another cell and somehow engaged in a symbyiotic (mutualistic) relationship with each other. That is why they have DNA, because they were once distinct organisms. read more

PS I've been told by one of my commenters that some fungi have mitochondria which have no internal DNA, meaning that the genes which code for the production and form of their mitochondria must somehow have been transferred into the DNA of the fungus itself. read more

Like mitochondria, chloroplast also contain circular double stranded DNA molecules. They too do not associate with histones. Chloroplast genome contain two inverted repeats called IRA and IRB, therefore many genes encoded by chloroplast genome have two copies. read more

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