2.1.1

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

1Unity & Diversity - Molecules

2Unity & Diversity - Cells

3Unity & Diversity - Organisms

4Unity & Diversity - Ecosystems

5Form & Function - Molecules

6Form & Function - Cells

7Form & Function - Organisms

8Form & Function - Ecosystems

9Interaction & Interdependence - Molecules

10Interaction & Interdependence - Cells

11Interaction & Interdependence - Organisms

12Interaction & Interdependence - Ecosystems

12.1Populations & Communities

12.2Transfers of Energy & Matter

13Continuity & Change - Molecules

14Continuity & Change - Cells

15Continuity & Change - Organisms

16Continuity & Change - Ecosystems

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