Cells consist of special compartments called organelles, each of which has a different function. For example, in plants, mitochondria convert food into energy, and chloroplast carries out photosynthesis. Interestingly, two important organelles, mitochondria and chloroplast, originated from free-living bacteria that were engulfed by older cells and formed a symbiotic relationship.
This process, known as endosymbiosis, is surprisingly rare. Despite its critical role in cellular evolution, it appears to have occurred only a few times throughout human history.
The new discovery involves a developing organelle called a nitroplast. This potential organelle appears to have developed in some species of algae and is designed to capture nitrogen from the atmosphere. Nitrogen, an essential component of life, is readily available in the air (N2) but is extremely difficult for most organisms to use.
Similar to the origin of mitochondria, some plants enter into symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria live in special nodes within the plant and provide a safe haven for converting atmospheric nitrogen into a useful form. Researchers believe the nitroplast may be another step in this symbiotic journey, as the bacterium evolves from a separate organism into an integrated organelle within the algal cell.
Although nitroplasts exhibit the potential for organelle evolution, the process requires a great deal of time.
Source: Ferra
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