Concept explainers
To analyze and critique:
The endosymbiont theory and also mention its strengths and weaknesses
Introduction: Evidence indicates that a sequence of chemical events preceded the origin of life on Earth and that life has evolved continuously over time. There are many theories that attempted to explain the origin of life from spontaneous generation to theory of biogenesis to the endosymbiont theory.
Answer to Problem 33A
The endosymbiont theory which states that bacteria might have lived inside eukaryotes and eventually became organelles was proposed by Lynn Margulis.
Strengths of the theory- This theory explained the origin of chloroplasts and mitochondria.
Weakness- This theory does not explain the origin of other organelles.
Explanation of Solution
Scientists speculate that prokaryotes were involved in evolution of eukaryotes as prokaryotes are much simple organisms.
The endosymbiont theory which states that bacteria might have lived inside prokaryotes and eventually became organelles was proposed by Lynn Margulis. In 1966, Margulis proposed that the ancestors of eukaryotic cells lived in association with prokaryotic cells. In some cases prokaryotes might have lived inside eukaryotes. Prokaryotes might have entered as undigested prey or could have been internal
Strengths- There is evidence that chloroplasts and mitochondria might have evolved by endosymbiosis. Both the organelles have their own genetic material and ribosomes which resemble the DNA and ribosomes of prokaryotes. Both reproduce independently from the rest of the cell by binary fission just like the prokaryotic cells. Both are enclosed within a double membrane and their inner membrane resembles bacterial membrane. Moreover, the fact that the prokaryotes have often been found to live in close association with eukaryotes also supports this theory.
Weakness- This theory does not explain the origin of other organelles like nucleus, Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum.
It also does not explain the early steps that led to the emergence of life
Chapter 14 Solutions
Biology Illinois Edition (Glencoe Science)
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology (5th Edition)
Campbell Biology in Focus (2nd Edition)
Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues (8th Edition)
Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach (3rd Edition)
Becker's World of the Cell (9th Edition)
Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)BiologyISBN:9780134580999Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. HoehnPublisher:PEARSONBiology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStaxAnatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781259398629Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa StouterPublisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
- Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)BiologyISBN:9780815344322Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter WalterPublisher:W. W. Norton & CompanyLaboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781260159363Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, CynthiaPublisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)BiologyISBN:9781260231700Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael WindelspechtPublisher:McGraw Hill Education