Endosymbiosis is a phenomenon in which one organism lives within the body of an unrelated organism, usually in a mutually beneficial relationship. The organism inside is called an endosymbiont, and the host is the organism harboring the endosymbiont. Endosymbiosis led to the formation of organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells, adding complexity and allowing them to thrive in diverse environments. These organelles evolved from prokaryotic organisms that integrated into host cells over time.
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