The Endosymbiont Hypothesis and the Evolution of the Chloroplast and Mitochondria
The Endosymbiont Hypothesis and the evolution of the Chloroplast and Mitochondria
Dr Lynn Margulis is seen as the first person to have put forward the Endosymbiont Hypothesis which is based on a theory which explains the likely origin of the mitochondria and chloroplast (plants) in eukaryote organisms which we observe today. Dr Margulis received evidence from all over the world and from many scientific researchers and experiments, Margulis simply had to put all the evidence together to form her hypothesis.
Margulis states that the eukaryote cell organelles, mitochondria as well as the chloroplast in plants, arose from simple prokaryote organisms which formed an endosymbiotic relationship with the early eukaryote cells. Prokaryotes are believed to be the first inhabitants of the earth, they are primitive organisms that do not possess a true nucleus(Starr et al, 2009). It is thought that the prokaryotes gave rise to the complex eukaryotes of today (Trager, 1970). These cells which have a membrane bound nucleus which also possesses the endomembrane system, parts of this system were thought to have differentiated to form the mitochondria and plastids, this particular idea being the Autogenous theory (Trager, 1970).
When two organisms live with one another and form a bond where both benefit from the interaction we refer to the relationship as a mutualistic symbiotic relationship; however, when one of the organisms lives and reproduces inside the other to the benefit of both, it is referred to as an endosymbiotic relationship (Starr et al, 2009).
Life on earth was probably not likely without the presence of photosynthetic organisms, namely the characteristic prokaryotic cyanobacteria which is a simple photosynthetic prokaryote which has existed on earth since the prehistoric eras. Trager explains that it is believed that the cyanobacteria formed an endosymbiotic relationship with a eukaryotic plant cell, essentially allowing an early eukaryotic cell to possess a
Dr Lynn Margulis is seen as the first person to have put forward the Endosymbiont Hypothesis which is based on a theory which explains the likely origin of the mitochondria and chloroplast (plants) in eukaryote organisms which we observe today. Dr Margulis received evidence from all over the world and from many scientific researchers and experiments, Margulis simply had to put all the evidence together to form her hypothesis.
Margulis states that the eukaryote cell organelles, mitochondria as well as the chloroplast in plants, arose from simple prokaryote organisms which formed an endosymbiotic relationship with the early eukaryote cells. Prokaryotes are believed to be the first inhabitants of the earth, they are primitive organisms that do not possess a true nucleus(Starr et al, 2009). It is thought that the prokaryotes gave rise to the complex eukaryotes of today (Trager, 1970). These cells which have a membrane bound nucleus which also possesses the endomembrane system, parts of this system were thought to have differentiated to form the mitochondria and plastids, this particular idea being the Autogenous theory (Trager, 1970).
When two organisms live with one another and form a bond where both benefit from the interaction we refer to the relationship as a mutualistic symbiotic relationship; however, when one of the organisms lives and reproduces inside the other to the benefit of both, it is referred to as an endosymbiotic relationship (Starr et al, 2009).
Life on earth was probably not likely without the presence of photosynthetic organisms, namely the characteristic prokaryotic cyanobacteria which is a simple photosynthetic prokaryote which has existed on earth since the prehistoric eras. Trager explains that it is believed that the cyanobacteria formed an endosymbiotic relationship with a eukaryotic plant cell, essentially allowing an early eukaryotic cell to possess a