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Eukaryotic Evolution

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.
Contrary to the endosymbiont theory, the eukaryote-first hypothesis proposes that the simpler prokaryotic and...

Eukaryotic Compartmentalizations

Eukaryotic Compartmentalizations

One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal cells...

Eukaryotic Compartmentalization

Eukaryotic Compartmentalization

One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal...

Convergent Evolution

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.

The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles

The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles

In eukaryotic cells, cytoskeletal filaments such as actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments form a mesh-like cytoskeletal network. These filaments serve as tracks for transporting cellular cargo. Specialized motor proteins use the chemical energy stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for this transport. During interphase, microtubules are polarized, with the plus-end towards the cell periphery and the minus-end towards the cell center. Two microtubule-associated motor proteins,...

Conservation of Protein Domains

Conservation of Protein Domains

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Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Subdomains in Cultured Cells

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Published on: February 18, 2014

Under the rug: Abandoning persistent misconceptions that obfuscate organelle evolution.

Deise J P Gonçalves¹, Robert K Jansen², Tracey A Ruhlman³

¹Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA.

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

|July 7, 2020

Summary

Next-generation sequencing has boosted organelle genome data, but misconceptions in plant evolutionary biology hinder accurate phylogenetic studies. Addressing these errors is crucial for understanding organelle evolution.

Keywords:

Chloroplast Heteroplasmy Mitochondria Patterns of inheritance Plastome phylogenies Single locus

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Area of Science:

Plant evolutionary biology
Genomics
Molecular biology

Background:

Next-generation sequencing has led to a surge in available organelle genome sequences for over 4000 plant species.
Significant advancements in understanding organelle DNA (plastome/mitogenome) structure, replication, and inheritance have been made.

Discussion:

Many plant evolutionary biologists are unaware of key molecular insights into organelle DNA.
This knowledge gap leads to misinterpretations in phylogenetic analyses using organelle genomes.
Common misconceptions regarding organelle genome organization, composition, and inheritance persist.

Key Insights:

Misconceptions can result in inaccurate phylogenies and a flawed understanding of organelle evolution.
Confronting these misunderstandings is essential for improving evolutionary studies.
Accurate interpretation of organelle DNA is critical for robust evolutionary inferences.

Outlook:

Further research integrating molecular and evolutionary perspectives is needed.
Educational efforts can bridge the knowledge gap between molecular biologists and evolutionary biologists.
Correcting misconceptions will enhance the reliability of organelle genome-based evolutionary studies.