1.5.1

Origins - Endosymbiosis

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Endosymbiosis

We have mentioned that both mitochondria and chloroplasts contain DNA and ribosomes. Have you wondered why? Strong evidence points to endosymbiosis as the explanation.

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Symbiosis

  • Symbiosis is a relationship in which organisms from two separate species depend on each other for their survival.
  • Endosymbiosis (endo- = “within”) is a mutually beneficial relationship in which one organism lives inside the other.
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Endosymbiosis - background

  • Scientists have long noticed that bacteria, mitochondria, and chloroplasts are similar in size.
  • We also know that bacteria have DNA and ribosomes, just as mitochondria and chloroplasts do.
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Endosymbiosis - process

  • Scientists believe that host cells and bacteria formed an endosymbiotic relationship when the host cells ingested both aerobic and autotrophic bacteria (cyanobacteria) but did not destroy them.
  • Through many millions of years of evolution, these ingested bacteria became more specialized in their functions,
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Animal and plant cells

  • Scientists believe plant and animals cells most likely evolved through a process whereby:
    • A host cell ingested aerobic bacteria gave rise to modern animals.
    • An ancestor of that cell that also ingested photoautotrophic bacteria that gave rise to modern plants.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

2Molecular Biology

3Genetics

4Ecology

5Evolution & Biodiversity

6Human Physiology

7AHL: Nucleic Acids

8AHL: Metabolism, Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis

9AHL: Plant Biology

9.1Transport in the Xylem of Plants

9.2Transport in the Phloem of Plants

9.3Growth in Plants

10AHL: Genetics & Evolution

11AHL: Animal Physiology

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