The Evolution of Eukaryotic Organisms: Endosymbiotic Theory

- presented by students from Dr. Roger Young's BIOL 322 Genetics at Drury University - This video shows an oversimplified and comical account of the endosymbiotic theory for eukaryotic evolution. It is widely believe that mitochondria and chloroplasts evolved from an initial symbiotic relationship between heterotrophic phagocytotic bacteria and smaller prokaryotes, some of which were highly efficient at oxidation and others which were autotrophic. These smaller organisms would have benefited from the protection and the anaerobic environment inside their host, while the latter would have received the capacity for photosynthesis and efficient energy utilization. Evidence supports this theory: mitochondria and chloroplasts replicate separately from nuclear mitosis, contain their own DNA (which is circular and has several deviations from the so-called "universal genetic code"), and have smaller ribosomes, corresponding more to a bacterial size. In sexual reproduction of multicellular organisms, the offspring of a mating receive mitochondria only from the maternal side (mtDNA). - music is "Din Din Wo (Little Child)" by Habib Koité & Bamada
drury university science evolution mitochondria chloroplast endosymbiotic phagocytosis cells genetics claymation funny
































