The Endosymbiotic Theory # Review: What is a theory? ‘What is the difference betwean prokaryolic and esukoryolic calls? ® The endosymblotic theory Is the Idea that a long time ago, prokaryotic cells engulfod other prokaryotic cells by endocytosis. This resulted in the first eukaryotic cells. First proposed by Lynn Margulls Explains the origin of qukaryolic cells Explains the ongin of certain membrane-bound onganelles[Araerbic, etertroptic prokaryote Pas membre ero Ne Srtte Aerobic, —_ hsterovophie prokaryote Plt — Aga. roti tea, Src, AA aa Fig. 1: A model depicting possible steps in the evolution of eukaryotic cells, including the origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts by endosymbiosis. In step 1, a large anaerobic, heterotrophic prokaryote takes in a small aerobic prokaryote. Evidence strongly indicates that the engulfed prokaryote was an ancestor of modern-day rickettsia, a group of bacteria that causes typhus and other diseases. In step 2, the aerobic endosymbiont has evolved into a mitochondrion. In step 3, a portion of the plasma membrane has invaginated and is seen in the process of evolving into anuclear envelope and associated endoplasmic reticulum. The primitive eukaryote depicted in step 3 gives rise to two major groups of eukaryotes. In one path (step 4), the primitive eukaryote evolves into nonphotosynthetic protist, fungal, and animal cells. In the other path (step 5), the primitive eukaryote takes in a photosynthetic prokaryote, which will become an endosymbiont and evolve into a chloroplast. (Note: The engulfment of the s ymbiont shown in step 1 could have occurred after development of some of the internal membranes, but evidence suggests it was a relatively early step in the evolution of eukaryotes.) ‘@ SUBHANAY BHATTACHARYAEvidences to support endosymbiotic theory Mitochondria are self-replicating bodies like bacteria and divide in a manner resembling binary fission in bacteria, Mitochondria are surrounded by two membranes and the innermost of these membranes is very similar in composition to bacterial plasma membrane. Mitochondria have their own DNA, which is structurally similar to bacterial DNA. Mitochondrial ribosomes, enzymes and transport systems are all similar to those of bacteria, Mitochondria are of approximately the same size as bacteria. Protein synthesis in mitochondria is inhibited by a variety of antibiotics (e.g. chloramphenicol, tetracycline, erythromycin) that also Inhibit protein synthesis by bacterial ribosomes, but have little effect on the cytosolic Fibosome of eukaryotic cells.IMPORTANCE OF ENDOSYMBIOSIS Endosymbiosis explains the origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts but could it also explain other features of the evkaryotic cell? Maybe, Endosymbiotic origins have been suggested for many structures including flagelia ,cilio and even the nucleus,However Scientists ore still actively debating whether or not these structures evolved through Endosymbiosis.