On the other hand, if evidence was found for a way that a simple archaeal cell could acquire an endosymbiont, that would make the “mitochondria early” hypothesis more plausible.

Mitochondria are responsible for producing and providing energy to our bodies, especially in organs such as the heart, brain, and muscles, which require high-energy production. These organs ...

Scientists believe that mitochondria evolved from an ancient collaboration that came about when cells with nuclei engulfed oxygen-dependent simple cells that lacked a nucleus.

This paper finds that healthy mitochondrial complexes can be delivered to the livers of living rats through simple intravenous injection. The team harvested mitochondria from mouse specimens.

So, the function of the mitochondrial remnant remains unclear at this point. But it is possible to speculate how this ended up being the only known animal species without functioning mitochondria.

Mitochondria are known for their role in energy production for cells, but recent research indicates they are also closely involved with the survival of cells as well. Skip to main content.