endosymbiosis

noun

en·​do·​sym·​bi·​o·​sis ˌen-dō-ˌsim-bī-ˈō-səs How to pronounce endosymbiosis (audio) -bē- How to pronounce endosymbiosis (audio)
: symbiosis in which a symbiont dwells within the body of its symbiotic partner
endosymbiotic adjective

Examples of endosymbiosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web While this is the first time endosymbiosis has been found in vertebrates, it's been observed in lots of other living things, like the nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live on the roots of some plants. Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2011 Understanding the mechanisms that stabilize symbiotic relationships could provide valuable insights into the first eukaryotes, which seem to have evolved from ancient endosymbiosis. Quanta Magazine, 7 June 2021 If future studies confirm these findings, this mechanism might have significance beyond the context of endosymbiosis. Quanta Magazine, 7 June 2021 The first endosymbiosis occurred when a prokaryote—a single-cell organism without a nucleus—engulfed a bacterium, producing the first eukaryotic cell about 1.7 billion years ago. Viviane Callier, Smithsonian, 23 Oct. 2019 So the easiest solution is often for cells with dissimilar abilities and complementary needs to merge, explains John McCutcheon, an endosymbiosis researcher at the University of Montana. Quanta Magazine, 3 Oct. 2019 Researchers call this type of evolutionary merger between two eukaryotes a secondary endosymbiosis. Viviane Callier, Smithsonian, 23 Oct. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'endosymbiosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of endosymbiosis was in 1932

Dictionary Entries Near endosymbiosis

Cite this Entry

“Endosymbiosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endosymbiosis. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

endosymbiosis

noun
en·​do·​sym·​bi·​o·​sis ˌen-dō-ˌsim-bī-ˈō-səs How to pronounce endosymbiosis (audio) -bē- How to pronounce endosymbiosis (audio)
plural endosymbioses -ˌsēz How to pronounce endosymbiosis (audio)
: symbiosis in which a symbiotic organism lives within the body of its partner
endosymbiotic adjective

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