Linn Margulis

Lynn Margulis was an influential American biologist best known for her work on the symbiotic theory of evolution. She proposed that complex life forms, including plants and animals, evolved through symbiosis—long-term cooperative relationships between different species. Her most famous theory suggests that certain organelles in cells, like mitochondria and chloroplasts, originated from once free-living bacteria that became integrated into larger cells. This idea challenged traditional views of evolution and emphasized the importance of cooperation and interdependence in the natural world, ultimately enriching our understanding of biology and the evolution of life on Earth.