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IIRC, mitochondria are only used for aerobic respiration (which requires oxygen). So there might be a chance for such an organism to have survived an an anaero
by gherkin0 10y ago
IIRC, mitochondria are only used for aerobic respiration (which requires oxygen). So there might be a chance for such an organism to have survived an an anaerobic/oxygen-free environment.
- Aelinsaar 10y agoThat's a good point, you're right it's definitely oxygen dependent (the electron transport chain just won't work without it). Given the interest in various extremophiles, I think that if it exists we'll find it sooner or later.