Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Comparing Mitochondrial, Chloroplast, and Prokaryotic Genomes

Comparing Mitochondrial, Chloroplast, and Prokaryotic Genomes

The present-day mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes have retained some of the characteristics of their ancestral prokaryotes and also have acquired new attributes during their evolution within eukaryotic cells. Like prokaryotic genomes, mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes neither bind with histone-like proteins nor show complex packaging into chromosome-like structures, as observed in eukaryotes. Unlike mitotic cell divisions observed in eukaryotic cells, mitochondria and chloroplasts...

The Anatomy of Chloroplasts

The Anatomy of Chloroplasts

Green algae and plants, including green stems and unripe fruit, harbor specialized organelles called chloroplasts to carry out photosynthesis. They coordinate both stages of photosynthesis — the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent reactions. The light-dependent reactions use sunlight to release oxygen and produce chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH, and the light-independent reactions capture CO2 and use ATP and NADPH to produce sugar.
Structure of Chloroplasts
A...

Non-nuclear Inheritance

Non-nuclear Inheritance

Most DNA resides in the nucleus of a cell. However, some organelles in the cell cytoplasm⁠—such as chloroplasts and mitochondria⁠—also have their own DNA. These organelles replicate their DNA independently of the nuclear DNA of the cell in which they reside. Non-nuclear inheritance describes the inheritance of genes from structures other than the nucleus.

Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes

Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes

A eukaryotic cell can have up to three different types of genetic systems: nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast. During evolution, organelles have exported many genes to the nucleus; this transfer is still ongoing in some plant species. Approximately 18% of the Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear genome is thought to be derived from the chloroplast’s cyanobacterial ancestor, and around 75% of the yeast genome derived from the mitochondria’s bacterial ancestor. This export has occurred irrespective...

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Structure determination and dual targeting of a plant TACO1 identifies its ancient role as an organelle translation regulator.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

The spatial proteome of the Plasmodium falciparum schizont illuminates the composition and evolutionary trajectories of its organelles.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

SWI3A/B regulates the transition from vegetative to reproductive phase in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha.

Plant reproduction·2026

Same author

GID/CTLH E3 ligase complex control cell fate programs for sexual development of Plasmodium falciparum.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Potent acridone antimalarial against all three life stages of Plasmodium.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

γδ T cell-derived IL-4 initiates CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell immunity.

Nature immunology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Plastoglobule Lipid Droplet Isolation from Plant Leaf Tissue and Cyanobacteria

Plastoglobule Lipid Droplet Isolation from Plant Leaf Tissue and Cyanobacteria

Published on: October 6, 2022

Plastid evolution.

Sven B Gould¹, Ross F Waller, Geoffrey I McFadden

¹School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC-3010, Australia. sbgould@gmail.com

Annual Review of Plant Biology

|March 5, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Eukaryotes acquired photosynthesis from cyanobacteria through endosymbiosis, leading to diverse primary producers. This vital partnership shaped Earth's biosphere and continues to influence marine ecosystems.

More Related Videos

Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach

Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach

Published on: December 14, 2019

Visualizing Stromule Frequency with Fluorescence Microscopy

Visualizing Stromule Frequency with Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: November 23, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Plastoglobule Lipid Droplet Isolation from Plant Leaf Tissue and Cyanobacteria

Plastoglobule Lipid Droplet Isolation from Plant Leaf Tissue and Cyanobacteria

Published on: October 6, 2022

Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach

Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach

Published on: December 14, 2019

Visualizing Stromule Frequency with Fluorescence Microscopy

Visualizing Stromule Frequency with Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: November 23, 2016

Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Biochemistry
Microbiology

Background:

Photosynthesis, invented by cyanobacteria ancestors ~3.6 billion years ago, converted water and CO2 into sugars and O2, fundamentally shaping Earth's biosphere.
Eukaryotes acquired photosynthesis via primary endosymbiosis, engulfing prokaryotes, leading to a billion years of coevolution and integration.
Secondary endosymbioses generated additional eukaryotic lineages, including crucial marine autotrophs, some of which later adopted heterotrophic lifestyles.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the origins, integration, and functions of various plastid types in eukaryotes.
To emphasize the biochemical capabilities of plastids.
To examine gene transfer to the host and protein supply to the endosymbiont.

Main Methods:

Review of scientific literature on endosymbiosis and plastid evolution.
Analysis of biochemical pathways and gene transfer mechanisms.
Comparative study of different plastid types and their functions.

Main Results:

Primary endosymbiosis between eukaryotes and photoautotrophic prokaryotes established the foundation for eukaryotic photosynthesis.
Over a billion years of coevolution resulted in highly integrated eukaryotic-plastid partnerships, creating diverse primary producers.
Secondary endosymbioses expanded photosynthetic capabilities in eukaryotes, with some lineages evolving heterotrophy and becoming pathogens or predators.

Conclusions:

The endosymbiotic origin of plastids is a pivotal event in the history of life, underpinning primary production on Earth.
Plastid integration involves complex biochemical adaptations, gene transfer, and reciprocal protein supply, highlighting a profound interdependence.
The evolutionary plasticity of endosymbiotic relationships has led to diverse ecological roles, from primary producers to pathogens.