Two lifeforms merge into one for first time in a billion years

Whilst waiting for my wife to do the weekly shop I was browsing on my phone and came along this story.

Apparently two separate lifeforms have merged to form a completely new life form.
As far as we know this has only happened twice before, the last time being approximately one billion years ago.

One of these occurrences led to all complex life on earth, the other led to all plant life.

www.independent.co.uk...

For the first time in at least a billion years, two lifeforms have merged into a single organism. The process, called primary endosymbiosis, has only happened twice in the history of the Earth, with the first time giving rise to all complex life as we know it through mitochondria.

I've got to be honest and say I don't fully understand the science and I don't think anyone can tell exactly what this could lead to in the future.
But it clearly has the potential to be a truly monumental event.

a reply to: Freeborn

It must be stopped!

This is the real reason for the underground hideouts.

a reply to: Freeborn

May I be the first to welcome our new Algae overlords?

a reply to: Oldcarpy2

Creature from The Black Swamp.

Left for nature to take its natural course we'll be long gone before the ramifications of this are known.....but with human intervention, who knows?

a reply to: Freeborn

I say we nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

originally posted by: Oldcarpy2
a reply to: Freeborn

I say we nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

a reply to: Freeborn

The Mighty Chondria! Don't be misled by their diminutive size.

Cheers

I suspect this kind of thing has occurred more often than people realize. Isn't there some sea creature that appears to be a fusion of 2 different creatures.

Also, I have a theory that white blood cells came about because, somewhere way back in the evolutionary line, amoebas entered a creature and turned out to be beneficial.

i'm not saying it's zombies, but this might be zombies.

a reply to: Freeborn

Don't let the Young Earth Creationists read this.

We don't need another 50 pages of a, "Let's see who can hit their head against the wall the best" contest. They go from fun to annoying real quick.

Confirmed endosymbiosis, like that which gave rise to eukaryote organisms, would really derail all those "impossible genetic mutations" arguments.

Love the article, but worried for it debate implications.

a reply to: Freeborn

Oh no! It's "The Blob"!

originally posted by: Oldcarpy2
a reply to: Freeborn

Oh no! It's "The Blob"!

Or mabye the Thing!
what will it merge with next?
how fast will it keep mergeing?

Any bets we have a big astroid strike soon?
thats what they will tell us the nuc bomb was.

I have seen a film in the last 5 years just like this!
things from the sea attak us and get big.

a reply to: Degradation33

Don't let the Young Earth Creationists read this.

In a way I sort of hope they will, should be food for thought for them.

But you're right, the endless going round in circles can be incredibly frustrating and soul destroying!
I have to say they've been quiet recently, barely a peep out if them.

a reply to: Freeborn

They have been quiet. Too quiet.... 🤐

originally posted by: Oldcarpy2
a reply to: Freeborn

Oh no! It's "The Blob"!

Nah, The Blob was red.
Gotta be The Green Slime!

originally posted by: Freeborn
Whilst waiting for my wife to do the weekly shop I was browsing on my phone and came along this story.

Apparently two separate lifeforms have merged to form a completely new life form.
As far as we know this has only happened twice before, the last time being approximately one billion years ago.

One of these occurrences led to all complex life on earth, the other led to all plant life.

www.independent.co.uk...

For the first time in at least a billion years, two lifeforms have merged into a single organism. The process, called primary endosymbiosis, has only happened twice in the history of the Earth, with the first time giving rise to all complex life as we know it through mitochondria.

I've got to be honest and say I don't fully understand the science and I don't think anyone can tell exactly what this could lead to in the future.
But it clearly has the potential to be a truly monumental event.

Old news but you should direct this piece of information towards the creationist camp

originally posted by: Degradation33
a reply to: Freeborn

Don't let the Young Earth Creationists read this.

We don't need another 50 pages of a, "Let's see who can hit their head against the wall the best" contest. They go from fun to annoying real quick.

Confirmed endosymbiosis, like that which gave rise to eukaryote organisms, would really derail all those "impossible genetic mutations" arguments.

Love the article, but worried for it debate implications.

I didn't see your post but said something about creationists a little while ago. This isn't great news for anyone who believes Earth was created 5,000 years ago by the hand of God.

How about your wife? Lol
Just kidding but in all honesty if you have the time to have another look and I hope you got or get what you wanted and if you didn't then maybe you should stop reading the mammy files. A billion years is enough for anybody.
a reply to: Freeborn

a reply to: Almanec

Its not old news to me.

And I'm not directing this at anyone in particular, just like an other post/thread here on ATS anyone is free to comment and join in.....even first-timers.

a reply to: Beesnestbomber

Your point?