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The idea that mitochondria is somehow external organisms that cells co-opted, and somehow became an integral part of every single organism on Earth is one of th

The idea that mitochondria is somehow external organisms that cells co-opted, and somehow became an integral part of every single organism on Earth is one of the most absurd, science fictional things I've ever seen in my life. And yet people just accept this as almost-fact. It's like believing in magic, there's no real explanation as to how something like this occurred, or even what the basic mechanism is, except for one person's speculation that it happened and the idea has spread virally and now it shows up as a fact in articles like this.

me_me_me 3y ago
"mitochondria is a powerhouse of our cells" its most banal summary used widely of what you aptly summarized. A legacy code of complex life that we cannot get rid of :D
mvuijlst 3y ago
It might seem far-fetched but the theory is not based on speculation. It's supported by a substantial body of scientific evidence.
stevenjgarner 3y ago
Endosymbiotic theory is supported by a wealth of evidence, including: 1) Mitochondria have their own DNA, which is circular and similar to bacterial DNA. This DNA is distinct from the DNA in the nucleus of the eukaryotic cell. 2) Mitochondria have their own ribosomes, which are smaller and structurally different from cytosolic ribosomes. These ribosomes are responsible for translating mitochondrial DNA into proteins. 3) Mitochondria have their own mechanism for protein import, which is different from the protein import machinery of the eukaryotic cell. This suggests that mitochondria were once independent organisms. 4) Mitochondria share many similarities with alpha-proteobacteria, a group of bacteria. This includes the structure of their inner membranes, the arrangement of their genes, and the way they generate energy. 5) Mitochondria reproduce by binary fission, similar to bacteria. This suggests that mitochondria once replicated independently of the eukaryotic cell. 6) The endosymbiotic theory is also supported by the fact that mitochondria are found in all eukaryotic cells, with only a few rare exceptions. This suggests that mitochondria were acquired by an ancestral eukaryotic cell and have since been passed down to all of its descendants.
- natechols 3y ago
  7) Mitochondria (and chloroplasts) have double membranes, exactly like they would if they were smaller cells engulfed by the host cell. 8) There are multiple examples of ongoing endosymbiosis where the engulfed cell remains a true symbiont, not yet an organelle. Paramecium bursaria is my favorite - a ciliated protozoan with blue-green algae symbionts. Bonus: there is evidence for secondary and tertiary endosymbiosis too.
jmcqk6 3y ago
It's been demonstrated in the laboratory and is supported by mountains of evidence. You really do not know what you're talking about. If you do not understand something, it is better to respond with curiosity than dismissal. I've found that when something seems absurd to me, if I dig in to try to understand it more, it usually turns out my initial reaction was radically wrong.

me_me_me 3y ago

"mitochondria is a powerhouse of our cells" its most banal summary used widely of what you aptly summarized. A legacy code of complex life that we cannot get rid of :D

mvuijlst 3y ago

It might seem far-fetched but the theory is not based on speculation. It's supported by a substantial body of scientific evidence.

stevenjgarner 3y ago

Endosymbiotic theory is supported by a wealth of evidence, including: 1) Mitochondria have their own DNA, which is circular and similar to bacterial DNA. This DNA is distinct from the DNA in the nucleus of the eukaryotic cell. 2) Mitochondria have their own ribosomes, which are smaller and structurally different from cytosolic ribosomes. These ribosomes are responsible for translating mitochondrial DNA into proteins. 3) Mitochondria have their own mechanism for protein import, which is different from the protein import machinery of the eukaryotic cell. This suggests that mitochondria were once independent organisms. 4) Mitochondria share many similarities with alpha-proteobacteria, a group of bacteria. This includes the structure of their inner membranes, the arrangement of their genes, and the way they generate energy. 5) Mitochondria reproduce by binary fission, similar to bacteria. This suggests that mitochondria once replicated independently of the eukaryotic cell. 6) The endosymbiotic theory is also supported by the fact that mitochondria are found in all eukaryotic cells, with only a few rare exceptions. This suggests that mitochondria were acquired by an ancestral eukaryotic cell and have since been passed down to all of its descendants.

natechols 3y ago
7) Mitochondria (and chloroplasts) have double membranes, exactly like they would if they were smaller cells engulfed by the host cell. 8) There are multiple examples of ongoing endosymbiosis where the engulfed cell remains a true symbiont, not yet an organelle. Paramecium bursaria is my favorite - a ciliated protozoan with blue-green algae symbionts. Bonus: there is evidence for secondary and tertiary endosymbiosis too.

jmcqk6 3y ago

It's been demonstrated in the laboratory and is supported by mountains of evidence. You really do not know what you're talking about. If you do not understand something, it is better to respond with curiosity than dismissal. I've found that when something seems absurd to me, if I dig in to try to understand it more, it usually turns out my initial reaction was radically wrong.