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Evolution of the Cell definitions

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  • Ancestral Cell
    A single origin cell from which all current life forms descended, evidenced by shared molecular mechanisms across organisms.
  • Phylogenetic Tree
    A branching diagram used to visualize evolutionary relationships and divergence among organisms based on genetic data.
  • Domain
    One of three major categories—Archaea, Bacteria, Eukaryota—used to classify all life based on fundamental genetic differences.
  • Archaea
    A domain of single-celled organisms distinct from bacteria, often found in extreme environments and sharing ancestry with eukaryotes.
  • Bacteria
    A domain of prokaryotic microorganisms, sometimes called eubacteria, characterized by diverse metabolic pathways and gene exchange.
  • Eukaryota
    A domain including all organisms with complex cells containing nuclei, such as animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
  • Ribosomal RNA
    A molecular component present in all organisms, used to determine evolutionary relationships due to its slow rate of change.
  • Endosymbiotic Theory
    A concept explaining the origin of organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts from ancient symbiotic prokaryotes.
  • Horizontal Gene Transfer
    A process where genetic material moves between organisms, especially in bacteria, creating new gene combinations.
  • Mutation
    A change in DNA sequence that introduces genetic variation, driving evolutionary processes and species diversity.
  • Gene Duplication
    A mutation event producing extra gene copies, allowing one to mutate freely while the other maintains original function.
  • Homolog
    Genes related by descent from a common ancestral sequence, regardless of species or function.
  • Ortholog
    Genes in different species that originated from a common ancestor and retain the same function.
  • Paralog
    Genes within the same species that arose from duplication and evolved new functions.
  • Gene Family
    A group of similar genes with related sequences and functions, originating from repeated gene duplications.