What are the orphaned organelles derived from?

The orphaned organelles, specifically referring to mitochondria and chloroplasts, are derived from a process known as endosymbiosis. This theory posits that these organelles originated from free-living prokaryotic organisms that were engulfed by a primitive eukaryotic cell. Over time, a symbiotic relationship developed, resulting in these organelles becoming integral parts of the eukaryotic cell.

Mitochondria are responsible for energy production through cellular respiration, while chloroplasts are involved in photosynthesis. Both organelles contain their own DNA and replicate independently of the cell, a characteristic that supports their ancestral origin from once-independent prokaryotic cells.

In contrast, the other options listed do not represent 'orphaned organelles.' The nucleus is a critical control center for cellular activities and houses genetic material, while ribosomes are essential for protein synthesis but are not considered orphaned. The Golgi apparatus and lysosomes are involved in processing and transporting proteins and waste but do not have the same endosymbiotic origin. Finally, the endoplasmic reticulum and vesicles are involved in the synthesis and transport processes within the cell, not derived from separate organisms, and therefore do not fit the description