Lynn Margulis (sociobiologist)

Lynn Margulis was a biologist known for her pioneering work on the evolution of life, particularly the idea that complex cells (eukaryotes) formed through symbiosis—mutually beneficial relationships—between different microorganisms. She argued that many key evolutionary steps resulted from this cooperation rather than just random mutations. Her theory helped explain the origins of things like mitochondria and chloroplasts, essential parts of our cells. Margulis’s work transformed our understanding of evolution by highlighting the importance of symbiosis and cooperation in the development of complex life on Earth.