Could the MItochondria in cells be a virus or an independent organism that infected a prehistoric single cell?

Question

Reasons - it has its own DNA and it is circular similar to a bacteria.
Maybe it was in a symbiotic relation with its host to provide energy while it got the substrate.

Answer 1

This is the best supported theory of how Eukaryotic cells arose. There is a good summary of it in Richard Dawkins book "The Ancestor's Tale".
Here is the wiki link.

Answer 2

Yes, it is proven in the Theory of Endosymbiosis where mitochondria and chloroplasts moved in with other cells, those with chloroplasts evolved into today's producers, and soon they became codependant, meaning they were unable to survive without each other.

Answer 3

Mitochondria also respire and host intermediary metabolic pathways like citric acid cycle and so must be independent organisms.

Answer 4

im patenting this theory right now, i call it the spence dog theory. what if a million years ago, aliens came down and injected that parasitic mitochondria into apes. with the mitochondrian apes multiplying, the alien mitochondria helped the apes evolve more like aliens, and the aliens have been psychicly controlling us throughout history.

my theory, i called it. if i disappear, then my theory is correct and the government isn't letting it spread.

Answer 5

Well, yeah. In most biology courses you will learn that that is the predominate theory about the origin of the mitochondrion

Answer 6

What you are suggesting is pretty much current thinking about mitochondria - except, it is/was bacteria, not virus.

Answer 7

Yes, such idea is common speculation in biology. Maybe someday somebody proves it one way or another.