The brain requires a continuous supply of energy in the form of ATP, most of which is produced
from glucose by oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria, complemented by aerobic …

Major insights into the phylogenetic distribution, biochemistry, and evolutionary significance
of organelles involved in ATP synthesis (energy metabolism) in eukaryotes that thrive in …

For over 100 years, endosymbiotic theories have figured in thoughts about the differences
between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. More than 20 different versions of endosymbiotic …

The concept of a last universal common ancestor of all cells (LUCA, or the progenote) is
central to the study of early evolution and life's origin, yet information about how and where …

Recent trends in weight loss diets have led to a substantial increase in protein intake by
individuals. As a result, the safety of habitually consuming dietary protein in excess of …

Numerous island-inhabiting species of predominantly herbaceous angiosperm genera are
woody shrubs or trees. Such "insular woodiness" is strongly manifested in the genus Echium, …

Highlights • Endosymbiotic theory explains why organelles resemble free-living bacteria. •
Gene trees are well-suited to testing endosymbiotic theory, but not to replacing it. • Testing …

Harnessing energy as ion gradients across membranes is as universal as the genetic code.
We leverage new insights into anaerobe metabolism to propose geochemical origins that …

Chloroplasts arose from cyanobacteria, mitochondria arose from proteobacteria. Both
organelles have conserved their prokaryotic biochemistry, but their genomes are reduced, and …

Life is the harnessing of chemical energy in such a way that the energy-harnessing device
makes a copy of itself. This paper outlines an energetically feasible path from a particular …