An evolutionary event that occurs once every 1 billion years has been observed by experts. The last time it happened the planet changed completely

Experts caught this extremely rare event while it was happening. Researchers have observed how 2 life forms have merged into one organism, which has extraordinary abilities. The last time such a phenomenon occurred, plants appeared on Earth.

The phenomenon is called primary endosymbiosis, writes New Atlas.

It occurs when one microbial organism engulfs another and begins to use it as an organ. In return, the host cells provide it with nutrients, energy, protection and other benefits of symbiosis until it cannot survive on its own. Thus, it becomes an organ of the host.

An evolutionary event that occurs once every 1 billion years has been observed by experts

The equivalent would be if the kidneys were other small animals and humans fused them into their own bodies to filter the blood.

In the 4 billion year history of life on Earth, such an evolutionary event occurs extremely rarely. In fact, experts believe that primary endosymbiosis may have occurred only 2 times. Both times it led to fantastic evolutionary progress.

The first time occurred 2.2 billion years ago. Then, an archaea swallowed a bacterium that became the mitochondrion. This organ specialized in the production of energy allowed the evolution of almost all forms of life. Next, mitochondria is considered one of the most important components of the cell.

The 2nd time such an event took place was 1.6 billion years ago. Then, some more advanced cells absorbed blue-green algae that could use energy from the Sun. These became organs called chloroplasts, which allowed the production of energy from the Sun’s rays and the evolution of a group of life forms extremely well known today – plants.

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Now, experts have discovered that a similar evolutionary event is happening again. A species of algae called Braarudosphaera bigelowii swallowed a blue-green algae. This process allows it to do something that algae and plants in general cannot. That is, to “fix” nitrogen directly from the air and combine it with other elements. Thus, it creates much more useful compounds.

The new life form has unique abilities

Nitrogen is a key nutrient. Typically, plants and algae obtain it through symbiotic relationships with bacteria, which remain separate. Initially, experts believed that B. bigelowii got into this situation with a bacterium called UCYN-A. But after analyzing the situation, they realized that they were dealing with an extremely rare process.

According to the research team, the size difference between algae and bacteria is similar regardless of the species of algae. Their growth appears to be controlled by nutrient exchange, leading to a common metabolism.

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With such an evolutionary event now taking place, it is possible that the planet will look completely different in a billion years.

“That’s exactly what happens with organelles,” said Jonathan Zehr, one of the study’s authors. “If you look at the mitochondrion and the chloroplast, it’s the same thing. I grow with the cell.”