Molecular techniques have clarified the early branching of life, resulting in a new overview that splits life into three domains: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eucarya. This program introduces the three domains and focuses on the main events in the evolution of eukaryotic cells:
Early Cells:
A cell containing DNA becomes the ancestor for the three existing lines of life.
Domain Bacteria:
Anatomy of the bacterial cell and the roles bacteria play in the biosphere.
Domain Eucarya:
Complex nucleated cells get their start by engulfing their neighbors.
The Evolution of Mitochondria:
Symbiotic bacteria evolve into the eukaryotic cell’s energy transformers.
The Eukaryotic Cell Evolves:
Further developments in cell evolution.
Motor Proteins Get Cells Moving:
Microtubules and other proteins move materials around cells and provide cell locomotion.
The Evolution of Plastids:
Light harvesting bacteria, living symbiotically with eukaryotic cells, evolve into chloroplasts.
The Invention of Sex:
Mixing of genetic material between individuals creates variety and speeds evolution.
Eucarya Becomes Multicellular:
Simple colonies bridge the gap between single cells and multicellular organisms.
