The Archaea and the Origin of Eukaryotes

Archaea are microscopic organisms similar to bacteria but with distinct genetic and cellular features, often thriving in extreme environments. They are believed to have played a key role in the evolution of eukaryotes—organisms with complex cells, including humans. Scientific evidence suggests that eukaryotic cells originated when an ancestral archaeon acquired parts of a bacteria (which became mitochondria), leading to a more complex cell structure. This evolutionary event helped develop the diversity of life forms we see today, bridging simple single-celled organisms and complex multicellular life.