THEORY OF ENDOSYMBIOSIS

Symbiogenesis, or endosymbiotic theory, is an evolutionary theory proposed by

Russian botanist Konstantin Mereschowsky in 1910 and Biologist Lynn Margulis
substantiated it, it explains that origin of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotes. It states that
several key organelles (mitochondrion and chloroplast) of eukaryotes originated as a
symbiosis between separate single-celled organisms.

Hypothesis originally proposed that:

Evidence that mitochondria and plastids arose from bacteria is as follows: [21][22][23]

New mitochondria and plastids are formed only through a process similar
to binary fission.

If a cell's mitochondria or chloroplasts are removed, the cell does not have the
means to create new ones.[24] For example, in some algae, such as Euglena, the
plastids can be destroyed by certain chemicals or prolonged absence of light without
otherwise affecting the cell. In such a case, the plastids will not regenerate.

Transport proteins called porins are found in the outer membranes of

mitochondria and chloroplasts, are also found in bacterial cell membrane. [25][26][27]

A membrane lipid cardiolipin is exclusively found in the inner mitochondrial

membrane and bacterial cell membrane.[28]

Both mitochondria and plastids contain single circular DNA that is different from
that of the cell nucleus and that is similar to that of bacteria (both in their size and
structure).

The genomes, including the specific genes, are basically similar between
mitochondria and the Rickettsial bacteria.[29]

Genome comparisons indicate that cyanobacteria contributed to the genetic

origin of plastids.[30]

These organelles' ribosomes are like those found in bacteria (70S).

Much of the internal structure and biochemistry of plastids, for instance the
presence of thylakoids and particular chlorophylls, is very similar to that of

cyanobacteria. Mitochondria have several enzymes and transport systems similar

to those of bacteria.

Some proteins encoded in the nucleus are transported to the organelle, and both
mitochondria and plastids have small genomes compared to bacteria.

APPLICATIONS
This theory gives scope for manipulation of animals cell photosynthetic, this has been
used on embryo of Zebra fish (Danio rerio) to check the effect on the fish which was not
successful but the research is being done in this field.
The question is that will the animal adapt to presence of the chloroplast and produce
sugar?
Is the surface area of the animals enough to produce the sugar molecules required for
its self utilization?

Prokaryotes

Eukaryotes

Mitochondria of
Eukaryotic cells

Chloroplasts
of
Photosynthetic
eukaryotes

DNA

1 single, circular
chromosome

Multiple linear
1 single,
chromosomes
1 single, circular
circular
compartmentalized in chromosome
chromosome
a nucleus

Replication

Binary Fission
(1 cell splits into 2)

Mitosis

Binary Fission
Binary Fission
(1 cell splits into (1 cell splits
2)
into 2)

Ribosome

"70 S"

"80 S"

"70 S"

Electron
Transport
Chain

Not found in the

plasma membrane
Found in the plasma around cell (found
membrane around cell only in the cell's
mitochondria and
chloroplasts)

Size
~1-10 microns
(approximate)

~50 - 500 microns

"70 S"

Found in the
Found in the
plasma
plasma
membrane
membrane around
around
mitochondrion
chloroplast
~1-10 microns

~1-10 microns

Appearance on Anaerobic bacteria: ~1.5 billion years ago ~1.5 billion years ~1.5 billion
Earth
~3.8 Billion years ago
ago
years ago

Photosynthetic
bacteria:
~3.2 Billion years ago
Aerobic bacteria:
~2.5 Billion years ago