Such occurrences, where one organism becomes integral to another’s function, have only been documented two times in the past|@sailorroscout|X
Scientists observed a rare evolutionary phenomenon that occurred for the first time in a billion years.
Two organisms—a microscopic algae species and a bacterium—combined to make a new organelle.
Such occurrences, where one organism becomes integral to another's function, have been documented just two times in the past.
These previous mergers led to pivotal advancements in evolution, such as the emergence of mitochondria and chloroplasts, essential for complex life and photosynthesis, respectively.
The latest organism is called a nitroplast.
This finding could potentially revolutionize agriculture by enhancing nitrogen-fixing abilities in crops. The discovery was published in science journals like Science and Cell.