Endosymbiotic Theory of Eukaryotes

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to the Endosymbiotic Theory of Eukaryotes.

Mitochondria

The powerhouse of the cell that provides energy.

Chloroplast

An organelle that creates sugar from sunlight, found in plants but not animals.

Endosymbiotic Theory

Proposes that larger prokaryotes engulfed smaller prokaryotes, leading to mutualistic relationships.

Great Oxygenation Event

A significant increase in oxygen levels in the atmosphere due to photosynthetic bacteria.

Selective Pressures

Environmental factors that influence which organisms survive and reproduce.

Binary Fission

A form of asexual reproduction in which a cell divides into two equal parts, typical of bacteria.

Aerobic Bacteria

Bacteria that can survive and grow in an oxygen-rich environment, such as mitochondria.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria that provide energy through photosynthesis.

Electronegativity

The tendency of an atom to attract electrons, used in describing oxygen's chemical properties.

Mutualistic Relationship

An interaction between two organisms that benefits both partners.