17._Introduction_to_eukaryotes_mini_17

Unifying Characteristics of Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes have cells with nuclei, mitochondria, and a cytoskeleton, among other features.

Endosymbiotic Theory

The theory that eukaryotes originated from one cell engulfing another, leading to co-evolution.

Mitochondria

Organelles present only in eukaryotes, shaped like proteobacteria, with their own genome and capable of independent division.

Aerobic Metabolism

A metabolic process that produces a large amount of ATP and occurs in all lineages of eukaryotes due to mitochondria.

Plastids

Organelles like chloroplasts, derived from cyanobacteria through primary endosymbiosis, involved in photosynthesis.

Cytoskeleton

A structure made of microtubules and microfilaments that provides support and shape to eukaryotic cells.

Sexual Reproduction

A method of reproduction that involves the combination of genetic material from two parents, characteristic of eukaryotes.

Chromosomes organized by histones

Eukaryotic chromosomes are associated with histone proteins, aiding in DNA packaging.

Aerobic respiration

The process by which eukaryotic cells generate ATP in the presence of oxygen.

Secondary Endosymbiosis

A process where some eukaryotes have acquired plastids from engulfing other eukaryotic cells that already had plastids.