Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
endosymbiosis
Noun
/ˌɛndoʊˌsɪm.biˈoʊ.sɪs/
Definition
The theory that certain organelles within eukaryotic cells originated from free-living bacteria that were engulfed by a host cell.
Examples
- Endosymbiosis is important in understanding the evolution of mitochondria.
- The endosymbiotic theory proposes that chloroplasts originated from photosynthetic bacteria.
Meaning
Endosymbiosis explains how complex cells (eukaryotes) may have evolved from simpler ones by forming a symbiotic relationship with other organisms.
Synonyms
- Symbiotic relationship
- Mutualism
