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The difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes is primarily that prokaryotes don't have membrane-wrapped organelles, including a cell nucleus containing its genetic material and mitochondria, the organelles that produce most of the eukaryote's supply of ATP, a source of chemical energy for cells.

It is thought that organelles like the mitochondria evolved in eukaryotes as a result of endosymbiosis between prokaryotes. A similar origin has been proposed for chloroplasts in algae and plants. This is supported by the fact that these organelles contain their own DNA, and replicate independently from the host cell, as well as by their apparent genetic, morphological and behavioural relationship with various extant prokaryotes.

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What does your current evidence tell us about the evolution of prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

Prokaryotes are much simpler organisms than eukaryotes. It is thought that eukaryotes evolved from prokaryotes. In both cases the evolution process was lengthy and similar to the evolution of other organisms.


What part of the cell theory did Lynn margulis contribute to?

She concluded that some organelles found in eukaryotes were once free-living prokaryotes.


How did the first eukaryote evolve?

Eukaryotes evolved from a process call endosymbiosis. Endosymbiosis states that eukaryotes started as two separate bacterium. The bigger bacteria engulfed the smaller. This is how the mitochondria is enclosed in the cell. There is evidence of this because the mitochondria has its on cell membrane and contains its own DNA.


True or false prokaryotic cells are not effecient?

You'd have to define your conditions for "efficiency". While in general prokaryotes are simpler than eukaryotes, they obviously have their own advantages because both have become very successful over the course of evolution. Prokaryotes can be more efficient than eukaryotes in protein translation, for example, as the use of operons and polycistrons allows for efficiency. But eukaryotic cells have a lot of other advantages. In terms of energy production, eukaryotic cells may contain several mitochondria to generate ATP much faster than a prokaryote could on its own. After all, according to the endosymbiosis theory, mitochondria and chloroplasts have their origins as individual prokaryotes themselves.


What cellular process was involved in the evolution of mitochondria and chloroplasts?

The evolution of mitochondria and chloroplasts is primarily attributed to the process of endosymbiosis, where ancestral eukaryotic cells engulfed prokaryotic organisms, such as aerobic bacteria and cyanobacteria. Over time, these engulfed prokaryotes established a symbiotic relationship with their host cells, eventually evolving into the organelles we know today. This process not only provided the host cells with enhanced energy production capabilities but also led to the incorporation of the prokaryotes' genetic material into the eukaryotic genome.

Related Questions

Did the evolution of prokaryotes preceed the evolution of eukaryotes?

Yes, prokaryotes are believed to have evolved before eukaryotes. Eukaryotes likely evolved through a process of endosymbiosis, where prokaryotic cells engulfed other prokaryotic cells to form a symbiotic relationship, leading to the development of cellular organelles.


Which sequence correctly represents the evolution of life on earth?

Prokaryotes -> Cyanobacteria -> Eukaryotes -> Multicellular organisms Prokaryotes -> Multicellular organisms -> Eukaryotes -> Cyanobacteria Cyanobacteria -> Prokaryotes -> Eukaryotes -> Multicellular organisms The correct sequence is option 1: Prokaryotes -> Cyanobacteria -> Eukaryotes -> Multicellular organisms. These groups represent a general order of the evolution of life on Earth, starting with simple prokaryotic organisms and culminating in more complex multicellular organisms.


Explain what the terms eukaryote and prokaryote suggest about their evolution?

The terms eukaryote and prokaryote refer to the two distinct types of organisms found in the natural world. Eukaryotes are organisms that have a membrane-bound nucleus, while prokaryotes are organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus. This difference in structure suggests that the evolution of eukaryotes, which are more complex and structurally organized, preceded the evolution of prokaryotes, which are simpler and more primitive. Eukaryotes are believed to have evolved from an ancestor that contained a nucleus, which was a critical step in the evolution of life as it allowed for more efficient storage and processing of genetic information. Prokaryotes, on the other hand, had no nucleus and were likely the first form of life on Earth. This suggests that the evolution of prokaryotes followed the evolution of eukaryotes. Overall, the terms eukaryote and prokaryote suggest that eukaryotes are more complex and evolved prior to prokaryotes, which are simpler and more primitive.


How does endo symbiosis play a role in the evolution of prokaryotes to eukaryotes and how are mitochondria important to this evolution?

Endosymbiosis is the process where one organism lives inside another. In the evolution of eukaryotes, it is believed that a prokaryotic cell engulfed a smaller prokaryotic cell, forming a symbiotic relationship. This led to the development of organelles like mitochondria. Mitochondria are crucial in eukaryotic evolution because they produce energy for the cell through respiration, allowing for more complex cellular functions to evolve.


Describe how eukaryotes evolved?

Although there is no fossil evidence for the evolution of eukaryotes from prokaryotes, scientists have inferred this through studying modern organisms. Scientists believe that eukaryotes evolved from prokaryotes because both have RNA and DNA as genetic material, contain ribosomes, and also utilize the identical 20 amino acids.


How does endosymbiosis play a role in the evolution of prokaryotes and how are mitochondria important to this evolution?

Endosymbiosis is the theory that explains the origin of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic organisms. Mitochondria, once free-living bacteria, were engulfed by ancestral eukaryotic cells through endosymbiosis. This process facilitated the development of more complex cellular structures and functions in eukaryotic cells, contributing to their evolution and ultimately leading to the diversity of life we see today.


What event is thought to have contributed to the evolution of eukaryotes?

Endosymbiosis is thought to have contributed to the evolution of eukaryotes. This process involved one prokaryotic cell engulfing another prokaryotic cell, leading to a symbiotic relationship that eventually gave rise to mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells. This event allowed for the development of more complex cellular structures and functions in eukaryotes.


What does your current evidence tell us about the evolution of prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

Prokaryotes are much simpler organisms than eukaryotes. It is thought that eukaryotes evolved from prokaryotes. In both cases the evolution process was lengthy and similar to the evolution of other organisms.


What part of the cell theory did Lynn margulis contribute to?

She concluded that some organelles found in eukaryotes were once free-living prokaryotes.


How does endosymbiosis play a role in the evolution of prokaryotes to eukaryoteAsk us anything?

Endosymbiosis is a theory that explains how prokaryotic cells evolved into eukaryotic cells by forming symbiotic relationships with other prokaryotic cells. This process led to the development of organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts within eukaryotic cells. Endosymbiosis helped eukaryotic cells gain new functions and capabilities, contributing to their complexity and diversity.


Which organisms represent the common ancestor of all photosynthetic plastids found in eukaryotes?

Cyanobacteria are believed to be the common ancestor of all photosynthetic plastids found in eukaryotes. Through a process called endosymbiosis, cyanobacteria were engulfed by an ancestral eukaryotic cell, giving rise to plastids like chloroplasts. This event played a crucial role in the evolution of photosynthesis in eukaryotes.


How did the first eukaryote evolve?

Eukaryotes evolved from a process call endosymbiosis. Endosymbiosis states that eukaryotes started as two separate bacterium. The bigger bacteria engulfed the smaller. This is how the mitochondria is enclosed in the cell. There is evidence of this because the mitochondria has its on cell membrane and contains its own DNA.