Photosynthesis is one of the most successful energy production strategies on the planet and has been co-opted numerous times throughout evolutionary history via the uptake and retention of photosynthetic cells by non-photosynthetic eukaryotic heterotrophs. Whereas the result of this process is clear, what is not settled is the mode and tempo of plastid movement among eukaryotes, particularly plastids of red algal derivation. Recent changes in our understanding of the relationships between eukaryotic supergroups have only served to complicate the picture further. Of particular interest is the evolution of plastids, the relationships among photosynthetic eukaryotes, the process of endosymbiogenesis and the variation in ways plastids have been modified to suit the light harvesting needs of their hosts. The understanding of all of these factors is an active field of continued research that will undoubtedly lead to further discoveries in the coming years read more ...

from Molecular Phylogeny of Microorganisms by Aharon Oren and R. Thane Papke (2010)

References

• Molecular Phylogeny of Microorganisms
• Lab-on-a-Chip Technology
• Real-Time PCR: Current Technology and Applications
• Environmental Molecular Microbiology
• Metagenomics

Key words: Endosymbiogenesis | Evolution of plastids | Evolutionary history | Photosynthesis | Plastid