Together In Co-operation, We Stand Strong – Natural Evolutionary Process

What is commonly used phrased from the Theory of Evolution, the survival of the fittest, forms the anthem to promote competition. this phrase opaques what is truly the process through which nature achieves it.

Nature tells us that to survive in the confines of any given environment, we need to be goal-directed to become fit for purpose, and for that, we need to cooperate.  It is through cooperation that we can grow and protect ourselves against the elements that deliver success on a collective basis. It is through diversity, a basis for a variety of specializations, that can result in efficiency and efficacy, reduced burden on resources and effort, and enhanced life experience.

I think we can; all we must do is pay attention.

All we have to do is pay attention.

The Theory of Evolution forms a cornerstone of the modern science of genetics and modern healthcare offerings—the benefits that accrue range from longevity, relatively improved quality of life, and survivability.

What is the core tenant that kick-started life over and above a simple single-cell being?

The jump from the ephemeral existence of non-nucleic single-cell life to Eukaryotic cells, a unit of living beings with a nucleus, was made possible through symbiosis. The nucleus is a milestone in that it is where DNA, the code that allows for the growth and development of protein variety, also carries with it recorded history, a history of what it got right and the mistakes, with more significant mistakes being eliminated for the cycle of survival. Chloroplasts and mitochondria were free-living bacteria billions of years ago.

Large single cells engulfed these bacteria, and with a slow adaptation process over millions of years, they formed a symbiotic relationship with these proto-bacteria.  Before this relationship, even the large single cells suffered from energy deficits to advance and form a nucleus. The formation of code-encasing nuclei required a more extensive, complex, and greater quantity of protein molecules, and the energetics increased. Hence, we saw mitochondria being encased primarily in moveable living beings and chloroplast becoming a part of static living beings. Chloroplasts are essentially chlorophyll.

Mitochondria, descendants of proto bacteria, are highly efficient energy production systems that can generate energy in the form of ATP, multiple times more than needed for their keep, supplying the excess output to power the development of complexity in cells to become multicellular co-joined living beings as well as fund cellular co-operation, adhesion, connectivity, communication, and specialization. The genius of the symbiotic relationship includes trading mitochondria’s three contributions – energy currency, efficient oxygen utilization and gene-transference efficacy with providing a home to stay encased and protected from environmental hazards.

Chloroplasts are the most efficient solar energy capture and storage mechanism, with an efficiency of more than 99.9% on a photon basis. They can utilize and store 99.9%+ of the unit energy provided by sunlight. Hence, chloroplasts play a crucial role in vegetation and the development of fauna and flora. They are also oxygen recyclers for the planet.

The goal directiveness of such evolution is simple – 1. The size provides security. Larger organisms are more likely to be hunters than prey. 2. Complexity allows for specialization and efficiency.  3. Longevity – multicellular organisms, through mitosis, can replace damaged cells, increasing survivability.


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