Question

How does the theory of endosymbiosis differ from the autogenous and horizontal gene transfer theories in explaining the evolution of eukaryotes

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation;

• Endosymbiotic theory explains the origin of chloroplasts and mitochondria and their double membrane.  Mitochondria of eukaryotes evolved from aerobic bacteria living within their host cell and the chloroplasts of eukaryotes evolved from endosymbiotic cyanobacteria.
• On the other hand according to the autogenous hypothesis, mitochondria and chloroplasts have evolved within the protoeukaryote cell by compartmentalizing plasmids or vesicles of DNA within a pinched off invagination of the cell membrane.

• Endosymbiont theory is the theory that suggests that simple prokaryotic cells were engulfed by larger prokaryotes 1.5 billion years ago.
• Autogenous theory is a theory that was proposed as an alternative to endosymbiont theory. proposes that eukaryotic organelles formed by infolding of the plasma membrane.
• Horizontal gene transfer theory is an alternative to endosymbiont and autogenous theories for the origin of complex organelles in eukaryotes.