Eukaryotic Evolution

The endosymbiont theory is the most widely accepted theory of eukaryotic evolution; however, its progression is still somewhat debated. According to the nucleus-first hypothesis, the ancestral prokaryote first evolved a membrane to enclose DNA and form the nucleus. Conversely, the mitochondria-first hypothesis suggests that the nucleus was forme...

The first eukaryotic cell originated from a primitive prokaryotic cell, which had its genetic material freely bundled in the cytoplasm.

These cells were surrounded by a plasma membrane but lacked any membrane-bound organelles inside.

As the cell evolved, the plasma membrane invaginated and pinched off, giving rise to membrane-enclo...