endosymbiosis Definition
- 1a mutually beneficial relationship between two organisms in which one organism lives inside the other
- 2a theory that explains the origin of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells through the engulfment and symbiotic integration of one cell within another
Using endosymbiosis: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "endosymbiosis" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The mitochondria in eukaryotic cells are believed to have originated from endosymbiosis.
Example
Endosymbiosis is a common phenomenon in nature, such as the relationship between clownfish and sea anemones.
Example
The endosymbiosis between termites and their gut bacteria allows them to digest wood.
endosymbiosis Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for endosymbiosis
Phrases with endosymbiosis
the process by which a eukaryotic cell engulfs a free-living prokaryotic cell and forms a permanent association with it
Example
Primary endosymbiosis is thought to have occurred when a eukaryotic cell engulfed a cyanobacterium, which eventually evolved into chloroplasts.
the process by which a eukaryotic cell engulfs another eukaryotic cell that has already undergone primary endosymbiosis
Example
Secondary endosymbiosis is thought to have occurred when a eukaryotic cell engulfed a photosynthetic eukaryote, which eventually evolved into plastids.
endosymbiotic theory
the scientific theory that explains the origin of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells through the process of endosymbiosis
Example
The endosymbiotic theory proposes that mitochondria and chloroplasts were once free-living prokaryotes that were engulfed by a host cell and eventually became integrated into the host's genome.
Origins of endosymbiosis
from the Greek words 'endon' meaning 'within', 'syn' meaning 'together', and 'biosis' meaning 'living'
Summary: endosymbiosis in Brief
Endosymbiosis [en-doh-sim-bee-oh-sis] refers to a mutually beneficial relationship between two organisms, where one organism lives inside the other. It is also a theory that explains the origin of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells through the engulfment and symbiotic integration of one cell within another. Examples of endosymbiosis include the mitochondria in eukaryotic cells and the relationship between termites and their gut bacteria. Endosymbiosis can be classified into primary and secondary endosymbiosis, and the endosymbiotic theory is a scientific theory that explains the origin of eukaryotic cells.
