Describe the steps to the Serial Endosymbiosis Theory
- Infoldings in the plasma membrane of an ancestral prokaryote gave rise to endomembrane components, including a nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum
- First endosymbiotic event - ancestral eukaryote consumed aerobic bacteria that evolved into mitochondria
- Second endosymbiotic event - early eukaryote consumed photosynthetic bacteria that evolved into chloroplasts
What does the Serial Endosymbiosis Theory explain?
The origins of flagella, plastids/mitochondria, and eukaryotic cells
- Mitochondria and plastids have their own genomes
- Similar plastids occur in diverse lineages of SCEs
- Mitochondria and plastids have similar structures
- Genetic sequence of mitochondrial DNA is similar to some prokaryotes
What are some similarities between mitochondria and bacteria?
Mitochondria resemble bacteria in size and morphology
Similar to Gram -ve bacteria (double membrane)
Mitochondrial division is similar to bacterial
Most mitochondria have circular DNA
Similar protein synthesis machinery
What is the primary feature of eukaryotes?
Their primary nuclear material (DNA) is bound by the nuclear envelope
What are the mechanisms of change in genetic diversity?
Mutation
Migration
Genetic drift
Natural selection
