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Eukaryotic Evolution01:24

Eukaryotic Evolution

The endosymbiont theory is the most widely accepted theory of eukaryotic evolution; however, its progression is still somewhat debated. According to the nucleus-first hypothesis, the ancestral prokaryote first evolved a membrane to enclose DNA and form the nucleus. Conversely, the mitochondria-first hypothesis suggests that the nucleus was formed after endosymbiosis of mitochondria.
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Updated: May 25, 2026

Adaptation at the Extremes of Life: Experimental Evolution with the Extremophile Archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius
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Adaptation at the Extremes of Life: Experimental Evolution with the Extremophile Archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

Published on: June 14, 2024

Experimental evolution of multicellularity.

William C Ratcliff1, R Ford Denison, Mark Borrello

  • 1Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55108, USA. ratcl009@umn.edu

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|February 7, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The evolution of multicellularity, a major life innovation, can happen rapidly. Experimental evolution in yeast demonstrated the quick development of multicellular life cycles with distinct reproductive and growth phases.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Origin of life
  • Cellular biology

Background:

  • Multicellularity is a key evolutionary innovation, yet its origins are not fully understood.
  • Understanding the transition from unicellular to multicellular life is crucial for evolutionary studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the rapid evolution of multicellularity from unicellular organisms.
  • To identify key steps and adaptations enabling the transition to multicellular life.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental evolution of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) in a simulated adaptive environment.
  • Observation and analysis of evolved multicellular genotypes and their life history traits.

Main Results:

  • Rapid evolution of yeast into multicellular clusters with novel life history: reproduction via multicellular propagules, juvenile phase, and determinate growth.
  • Development of uniclonal multicellular clusters, reducing genetic conflicts.
  • Emergence of simple division of labor among cells and increased programmed cell death (apoptosis) for enhanced reproduction.

Conclusions:

  • Key aspects of multicellular complexity can rapidly evolve from unicellular eukaryotes.
  • Experimental evolution provides insights into the feasibility and speed of major evolutionary transitions.
  • The study demonstrates that multicellularity can arise readily under specific selective pressures.