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Growth and Metabolism: Running the Microbial Machine |
Chapter: 7
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Powered by Bacteria Bacteria and mitochondria have much in common. Both contain DNA in a single, closed loop, both have ribosomes of similar size and chemical composition, and both reproduce independently. Could it be that bacteria and mitochondria are one and the same? Some researchers believe they are. They theorize that a bacterium was engulfed by a primitive cell, whereupon the bacterium shed its cell wall, retained its membrane, and took up residence within the cell. It is noteworthy that enzymes for energy production occur on the membranes of both bacteria and mitochondria. Perhaps the bacterium gradually took over the role of energy production for the cell and became its "powerhouse." This scenario is not universally accepted, to be sure. However, it tugs at the imagination to conceive that all eukaryotes, humans included, are powered by bacteria. |
