Consider the endosymbiosis theory for the origin of the mitochondrion. How did each endosymbiotic partner benefit from the relationship?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of endosymbiosis. Endosymbiosis is a mutually beneficial relationship between two organisms, where one organism lives inside the other. In the context of the origin of mitochondria, it is believed that a primitive eukaryotic cell engulfed a prokaryotic cell capable of aerobic respiration, which eventually became the mitochondrion.
2. Step 2: Identify the benefits for the host cell. The host cell, a primitive eukaryotic cell, benefited from this relationship by gaining an efficient way to produce energy. The engulfed prokaryotic cell, which evolved into the mitochondrion, was capable of aerobic respiration, a process that produces a large amount of ATP, the cell's energy currency. This allowed the host cell to survive and thrive in environments with oxygen.
3. Step 3: Identify the benefits for the engulfed cell. The engulfed prokaryotic cell, which became the mitochondrion, benefited from this relationship by gaining a protected environment within the host cell. This allowed the engulfed cell to avoid predation and competition for resources.
4. Step 4: Understand the evidence supporting the endosymbiotic theory. The endosymbiotic theory is supported by several pieces of evidence, including the fact that mitochondria have their own DNA, which is circular and similar to bacterial DNA. Additionally, mitochondria reproduce independently of the host cell, through a process similar to bacterial binary fission.
5. Step 5: Summarize the benefits of endosymbiosis. In summary, the endosymbiotic relationship between the primitive eukaryotic cell and the prokaryotic cell that became the mitochondrion was mutually beneficial. The host cell gained an efficient way to produce energy, while the engulfed cell gained a protected environment.