The Bodyworks and biology

would evolve together for millions of years and become a single, inseparable organism

Although discussions among biologists concerning the origins of mitochondria and chloroplast have been going on for a long time, Lynn Margulis is considered to be the rst to introduce the symbiotic hypotheses to a signicant extent and depth. In her paper published in 1967, On the Origin of Mitosing Cells, she proposed that “the mitochondria, the (9+2) basal bodies of the agella, and the photosynthetic plastids can all be considered to have derived from free-living cells, and the eukaryotic cell is the result of the evolution of ancient symbioses ” The publication was rejected by dozens of academic periodicals and was even considered radical by other scholars at rst. However, skepticism surrounding the Endosymbiotic Theory was later on eliminated as the revolution of molecular sequencing gradually gained enough evidence to back up its legitimacy

Firstly, the rRNA sequences of mitochondria and plastids are more similar to those of bacteria specically, each to different bacteria than those of eukaryotic cells This suggests that mitochondria and plastids did not originate from eukaryotes Secondly, these organelles are autonomous, having their own circular DNA molecules that can be transcribed and translated into their own proteins. They can even replicate through a splitting process similar to that of certain bacteria. Finally, their double-membrane structure suggests that they were once separate from their host cell, and have been integrated into the host as opposed to having been developed naturally

The staggering amount of evidence in favor of the Endosymbiotic Theory now validates its once rejected status and is more so accepted as a fact within biology. The theory changed biologists’ understanding of the biosphere forever, indicating the symbiotic interaction between eukaryotes and prokaryotes However, we may never be completely certain, as there is always new evidence surfacing, leading to new discoveries We should always keep up with the progress of academic development, and continue to enjoy the view from different perspectives.