Symbiogenesis

Symbiogenesis is the process by which new species arise through the merging of different organisms. Rather than simply evolving through gradual changes, this theory suggests that some complex life forms originated from the close cooperation or fusion of distinct species. A significant example is seen in how certain cells in plants and animals contain organelles, like mitochondria, which are believed to have originated from free-living bacteria that entered into a symbiotic relationship with ancestral cells. This highlights the importance of collaboration in evolution, indicating that life's diversity can result from partnerships between different organisms.