>[..] to first metabolic cycles, cells, multi-purpose genes, modular development genes, etc. One example is when cells discovered energy production using mitoc

>[..] to first metabolic cycles, cells, multi-purpose genes, modular development genes, etc. One example is when cells discovered energy production using mitochondria. Mitochondria add new capabilities to the cell, with (almost) no downside like: weight, temperature-sensitivity, pressure-sensitivity. It's almost 100% upside. If someone tried to predict the future number of mitochondria-enabled cells from the first one, he could be off by 10^20 less cells. I am writing a story the last 20 days, with that exact story plot, have to get my stuff together and finish it.