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For the first time in over a billion years, two life forms have merged to become a single organism. This process, known as primary endosymbiosis, has only occurred twice in Earth’s history. The first instance gave rise to all complex life forms through mitochondria, while the second led to the emergence of plants. Recently, an international team of scientists observed this rare evolutionary event between an ocean algae species and a bacterium.
Tyler Coale, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Santa Cruz, led one of the studies that discovered the phenomenon. He explained the significance of this event, stating that it has shaped complex life as we know it. The algae engulfed the bacterium, providing it with nutrients and energy, while gaining the ability to “fix” nitrogen from the air. This exchange resulted in the creation of an organelle within the algae that is crucial for its survival.
The scientists from various institutions across the US and Japan published their research in Science and Cell, shedding light on the evolutionary process and its potential impact on agriculture. Dr. Coale mentioned that this discovery could offer insights into nitrogen fixation and potentially revolutionize crop engineering. The collaborative effort of researchers from prestigious universities and laboratories highlights the importance of this groundbreaking discovery in the field of evolution and biology.