[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
As to mitochondria (and indeed chloroplasts in plants), this is the
BIG symbiotic relationship, which must have arisen *millions* of
years ago. We are totally dependent on them, and they on us - it's
not really selfish or altruistic though, as they are essentially a part
of ourselves.
To show how tricky the competition cooperation issue is at a genetic level
the mitochondria chloroplast issue is instructive. At some point these were
independent creatures. the pre-mitochondria may have lived off the pre-parent
cell (invaded it to get at its juicy innards). It could just as well been the
other way around. The pre-parent cell may have engulf the pre-mitochondria to
kill it or to get its energy. As these enemies fought and became ever more
efficient with their offenses and defenses the pre-mitochondria found
themselves living in the pre-parent cells for longer periods of time. After a
while they weren't really fighting any more. Some of the genes from the
mitochondria defected to the parent cell. Some just disappeared. Eventually
you end up with a eurkaryocite cell. But is this an example of competition or
cooperation? If it is competition who won? I would argue that these are
meaningless or at least trivial questions.
