A2.2.

12*
Origin of eukaryotic cells
by endosymbiosis

* HL only
 The first protocells, likely
formed around 4 billion years
ago, evolved to become the first
prokaryotic cells (A2.1.7).

Then, roughly 1.8

billion years ago,
the processes of
infolding and
endosymbiosis
occurred to begin
formation of the
first eukaryotic
cells (A2.2.6).
Two processes are thought to have led to the origin of eukaryotes….
Mitochondria and chloroplasts
1. Infolding of the prokaryotic cell membrane originated as bacteria cells that came
to symbiotically live inside larger cells.
Most membrane-enclosed organelles,
2. Endosymbiosis including the nucleus, ER and Golgi,
probably originated from deep folds in
the plasma membrane.
Infolding

Organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and nuclear envelope are thought to
have evolved from inward folds of the plasma membrane of ancestral prokaryotic cells. Such internal
membranes would allow the cell to carry out more complex chemical reactions in separate
compartments (B2.2.1).
Endosymbiosis
▪ Scientists hypothesize that chloroplasts and
mitochondria evolved from small symbiotic
prokaryotes that lived within other, larger host cells.
▪ Symbiosis is an interaction between two different
organisms living in close physical association, typically
to the advantage of both.
▪ In endosymbiosis, one cell lived within the other and
became increasingly interdependent until the unit
could only exist as a whole.
Endosymbiosis The fluidity of membranes allows
materials to be taken into cells by
endocytosis (B2.2.13)

First, the symbiotic ancestors of mitochondria may have been aerobic bacteria that were
able to use oxygen in aerobic cellular respiration (B2.2.4). An ancestral host cell may have
ingested some of these aerobic cells. Instead of being digested, some of these bacterial
cells might have remained alive and continued to perform respiration within the host cell.
Since almost all eukaryotes have
mitochondria but only some have
chloroplasts, it is likely that
mitochondria evolved first.
Endosymbiosis
The ancestors of chloroplasts could have been photosynthetic
bacteria that lived inside a larger host cell. Instead of being
digested, some of these bacterial cells might have remained
alive and continued to perform photosynthesis (B2.2.5) within
the host cell.

The fluidity of membranes allows

materials to be taken into cells by
endocytosis (B2.2.13)
Endosymbiosis is a theory, which
means it is a :
◎ Well substantiated= lots of evidence

◎ Explanation of the natural world = why natural things

are they way they are

◎ Based on a body of facts = not opinion

◎ Repeatedly confirmed = shown over and over and over

again

◎ Through observation and experiment = rigorous

testing and use of the scientific method
Endosymbiotic Theory was
championed by biologist Lynn
Margulis (1938-2011).
 The endosymbiosis theory is supported by a variety of evidence
STRUCTURAL EVIDENCE Notice how engulfing results in a
double layer of cell membrane,
Similar to prokaryotic cells, both one from the bacteria being
engulfed and one from the cell
mitochondria and chloroplasts are the
membrane of the primitive cell
same approximate size and shape as doing the engulfing.
prokaryotes.
Additionally, mitochondria and
chloroplasts have a double
membrane (both an inner membrane
and an outer membrane). This suggest
they have their own cell membranes
(inner membrane) plus the cell
membrane that resulted from the
engulfing by the primitive cell (outer
membrane).
Both
mitochondria and
chloroplasts also
have 70s
ribosomes
(A2.2.5) whereas
eukaryotes have
80s ribosomes.
GENETIC EVIDENCE
Both mitochondria and chloroplasts:
● have circular naked DNA like
that of prokaryotic cells (A2.2.5)
whereas eukaryotes have linear
DNA wrapped around histone
proteins A1.2.13)
● share common DNA sequences
with prokaryotes (A3.2.6)
FUNCTIONAL EVIDENCE

Both mitochondria and

chloroplasts:
● move independently
within the eukaryotic cell
● reproduce independently
of the host cell through a
process similar to binary
fission
● are inhibited by
antibiotics as are
prokaryotes (C3.2.13)
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