Who came first:prokaryotes or eukaryotes?

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In summary, It is commonly believed that prokaryotes evolved before eukaryotes due to their longer fossil record and their placement within the prokaryotic evolutionary lineage.
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aashay
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I have always had the doubt that which type of cells evolved first,the prokaryotes or eukaryotes...although many people favour that prokaryotes came first..i would like to know your opinions..support your opinion with proper reason/logic.
 
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aashay said:
I have always had the doubt that which type of cells evolved first,the prokaryotes or eukaryotes...although many people favour that prokaryotes came first..i would like to know your opinions..support your opinion with proper reason/logic.

Prokaryotes came first. There are all kinds of reasons for being pretty confident of this; the simplest is that eukaryotes do not have as long a fossil record. They also appear to nest within the prokaryotes in evolutionary relationships.
 

FAQ: Who came first:prokaryotes or eukaryotes?

What is the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

The main difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is that prokaryotes are single-celled organisms that do not have a defined nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotes are multi-cellular organisms that have a defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Which came first, prokaryotes or eukaryotes?

Based on scientific evidence, prokaryotes are believed to have come first. This is because they are simpler and more primitive organisms that were able to thrive in the early Earth's conditions. Eukaryotes evolved from prokaryotes much later.

How do scientists determine the order of evolution between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

Scientists use various methods such as fossil records, DNA analysis, and comparative anatomy to determine the order of evolution between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Fossil records provide physical evidence of the existence of different organisms in the past, while DNA analysis and comparative anatomy help to identify similarities and differences between the genetic makeup and physical characteristics of different organisms.

Is there any evidence to support the theory that prokaryotes came first?

Yes, there is significant evidence to support the theory that prokaryotes came first. Fossil records show that prokaryotes existed on Earth around 3.5 billion years ago, while the earliest evidence of eukaryotes is only about 2.1 billion years old. Additionally, genetic analysis has shown that eukaryotes share common genes with prokaryotes, indicating that they evolved from prokaryotes.

Are there any exceptions to the theory that prokaryotes came first?

While the majority of scientific evidence supports the theory that prokaryotes came first, there are some exceptions to this theory. Some scientists believe that eukaryotes may have evolved from a different type of ancient organism known as "archaea." However, this is still a topic of debate and requires further research to confirm.

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