Your Cells Used to Be Two Cells: Endosymbiotic Theory
Hello everyone, and today we’re going to be discussing the endosymbiotic theory, the main theory that explains how human cells have mitochondria.
The Basics of Endosymbiotic Theory
Many millions of years ago, it was theorized that all cells were independent and generated energy by themselves. However, there may have been a moment when a specialized cell was absorbed by a larger cell.
However, after being absorbed, it was not destroyed for energy. Instead, it became part of the larger cell and continued to generate energy for it.
This smaller cell had its own DNA and could replicate on its own. Another piece of evidence that the cell was previously independent is that it has a double membrane.
Get Zain Shariff’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
In 1964, based on this evidence, it was found that this theory was most likely true for mitochondria and chloroplasts. Most human cells have mitochondria, while plant cells have chloroplasts.
How This Affects Humans
The DNA code for mitochondria is stored in the mitochondria and not in the nucleus. As a result, the egg contains all of the mitochondria that a human will develop with.
Therefore, all of your mitochondrial DNA is inherited from your mother and most likely not from your father.
Most defects in mitochondrial DNA are linked to your maternal side of the family. Some of the most common mitochondrial diseases include MELAS, LHON, and KSS. Many of these disorders cause problems with energy production, which is the primary function of the mitochondria.
If you want more articles like this, make sure to follow. Comment your thoughts on endosymbiotic theory. Make sure to clap to increase its appearance in search results. I have an email subscription to get an email every week on something really intriguing about human biology and bioengineering and with sprinkles of other stuff I have been thinking about. That way you don’t forget.
And that’s about it, I will catch you on the flip flop, I’m out, see yah!
