-New mitochondria and plastids are formed only through a process similar to binary fission.
-In some algae, such as Euglena, the plastids can be destroyed by certain chemicals or prolonged absence of light without otherwise affecting the cell. In such a case, the plastids will not regenerate. This shows that the plastid regeneration relies on an extracellular source, such as from cell division or endosymbiosis.
-Transport proteins called porins are found in the outer membranes of mitochondria and chloroplasts, are also found in bacterial cell membrane.

-A membrane lipid cardiolipin is exclusively found in the inner mitochondrial membrane and bacterial cell membrane.
-Both mitochondria and plastids contain single circular DNA that is different from that of the cell nucleus and that is similar to that of bacteria (both in their size and structure).
-The genomes, including the specific genes, are basically similar between mitochondria and the Rickettsial bacteria.
-Genome comparisons indicate that cyanobacteria contributed to the genetic origin of plastids.

Evidence that mitochondria and plastids arose from bacteria is as follows: