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Nature 418, 827-829 (22 August 2002) | doi:10.1038/418827a
Cell evolution: Mitochondria in hiding
Andrew J. Roger1 & Jeffrey D. Silberman2
Abstract
The apparent absence of mitochondria in some microbes contributed to the view that they were early offshoots of the eukaryotic line of descent. New evidence tells a different story.
At some point in the history of life, certain bacteria took up residence in other cells, starting a symbiotic relationship that led to their establishment as the mitochondria found within most eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotes are organisms whose cells contain a nucleus, a cytoskeleton, internal membranes and, typically, mitochondria that generate energy by aerobic respiration.
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