Regarding the origin of mitochondria, Bifang knows that there is a very interesting hypothesis.
Mitochondria were once eukaryotic organelles of bacteria and were endosymbiotic with humans.
To put it simply, mitochondria were an independent organism a long time ago. They were combined with humans by chance and finally became part of the human body.
To this day, it still has a certain degree of "independence".
The evidence is that mitochondria and the human genome are completely different things.
The mitochondrial genome is 16569 in length and encodes 37 genes, mainly related to the respiratory chain.
The human nuclear genome is 3 billion in length and encodes 20,000-30,000 genes, including all contents.
There is no sequence homology between the two.
The genomes of other tissues in the human body are all human nuclear genomes.
The gold standard for modern biological classification and identification is based on genome rather than physical characteristics, because many classification methods in the past were prone to errors.
Some that look different are actually from the same genus, and some that look very similar are actually classified far apart.
For example, the tree shrew, which looks like a mouse, is actually a close relative of humans, while the Tibetan mastiff and the teacup dog seem to be completely different species. The latter does not even have the reproductive organs as large as the former, but it does not even have reproductive isolation.
However, endosymbiosis is not parasitism, these are two different things.
To survive, single-celled organisms need to absorb materials and energy.
Just like "big fish eat small fish, and small fish eat shrimps", large cells also have to swallow small cells.
This process is called "endocytosis".
The endocytosis process is closely related to the fluidity of the cell membrane. The swallowed matter will be wrapped in a layer of cell membrane and enter the inside of the cell. The cell will perform a series of operations to decompose it, use it, and spit it out of the cell. The process of spitting out is called exocytosis.
What if what is swallowed is a small cell?
This small cell was engulfed but not digested. Instead, it lived symbiotically in the larger cell. This is called endosymbiosis.
Some genes can be absorbed and integrated into the human body, but once integrated, a new system is formed, no longer distinguishing each other, and is subject to the expression regulation of the entire system.
Now if the mitochondria are isolated individually, they cannot be restored to the original bacteria and the original life.
This situation is actually very common, and there are many such imprints in the human genome.
Just as viruses that invaded the human genome millions of years ago changed the way genes turn on and off in human embryonic stem cells.
About 10 billion years ago, a large, phagocytic ancient karyote swallowed an aerobic, smaller, ancestral prokaryote.
Swallowing is a problem, but you must pay attention to safety. It would be bad if the swallowed creature kills you.
Archaeokaryotes may have had a series of stress changes to protect themselves.
For example, a large number of cell membrane invaginations form a primitive endoplasmic reticulum membrane system, thereby limiting the activity of engulfed bacteria.
The original endoplasmic reticulum membrane system was further specialized, wrapping the cell's genetic material to form the nucleus.
The ancestral archaeokaryotes became the ancestral eukaryotes.
Some of the swallowed aerobic bacteria not only remained undigested and decomposed, but also gradually survived within the cells of large, archaeal archaeons.
It may be that aerobic bacteria feel that it is good to have a home, and they cannot leave in the progenitor cells.
It's quite simple to do biology. You can do it as comfortably as you want. Why bother with it?
The ancestor cell phase can also accept it, which is equivalent to raising a pet. Although it has to be fed and housed, it can obtain the energy and products of glycolysis from aerobic bacteria, which is not a disadvantage.
As a result, the two organisms form an interdependent symbiosis, which benefits both parties.
In this way, during the long-term evolution process, the swallowed organisms transitioned from parasitism to symbiosis, and finally formed mitochondria.
The evidence supporting the above theory is mainly due to the comparison of mitochondria and eubacteria, and it is found that they are similar in many places.
Similar sizes.
Proliferate by binary fission.
Have similar covalent, closed, circular DNA.
The ribosomes are similar in size and structure and have the same sedimentation coefficient.
Protein synthesis can be inhibited by antibiotics.
In addition, the theory of endosymbiosis can also explain why mitochondria have double membranes, but it may not be the same as what most people think. The double membranes may come from bacteria.
However, this is only the most common and recognized academic hypothesis, and it is not an ironclad case.
Bi Fang shook away the complicated thoughts.
It's useless no matter how much you think about it, you'll have to use it in the end anyway.
After using the strengthening coupon, the same process as before appeared in my mind. This time, the strengthening was more subtle and silent than the strengthening of muscle control.
Not only did my whole body not feel hot, but it felt like I had entered the cool autumn.
After everything was over, Bi Fang had a lot of additional information in his mind, and he suddenly understood the direct role of this coupon.
Improve and optimize the energy supply efficiency of mitochondria, and further improve efficiency when the body is in a state of crisis.
To put it simply, it is a blast.
Similar to when a large amount of adrenaline is secreted in a crisis, a person's strength, speed, and reaction will be enhanced. At this time, the mitochondria also have the same effect.
It's like having double the adrenaline, giving you more strength and energy.
As for whether it has the additional effect of extending life, this is unknown.
Bifang itself is inclined to exist, after all, the system's strengthening has always been powerful.
"call."
Taking a long breath, Bi Fang felt unprecedentedly comfortable. At the same time, his eyelids became heavy and he felt a little drowsy.
The sun hadn't even set yet, but Bi Fang still chose to go to bed.
In the evening, a staff member called Bi Fang outside the tent to go have dinner.
Bifang opened his eyes in a daze. His sleep was interrupted midway, and he was still very sleepy, but his gurgling stomach also protested.
After a brief struggle, Bi Fang chose to refuse, saying that he still wanted to rest.
If he agrees, he can't just go back to sleep after eating. Those professors will definitely invite Bi Fang to talk freely, and then he won't be able to go back for hours.
Bi Fang has experienced this kind of experience many times and is deeply touched by it.
Bi Fang didn't get up until noon the next day.
I woke up feeling refreshed and washed up just in time for lunch. There is no happier moment than this.
After feeding Alpha some fodder, Bi Fang set off for the canteen.
Inside the large white tent, simple square dining tables were arranged neatly. People came one after another to cook in front of several large stainless steel pots and then choose a seat to sit down.
Bi Fang ordered a double portion for himself and chose a corner to sit down. Although it was not enough for him, there was no room for more food on one plate.
There is no need to bother others to wash more dishes, it is free anyway, and you can come more often.
"How is your rest, Mr. Bi Fang?"
As soon as Bifang sat down, Waziri also sat on the opposite corner of him with a dinner plate, scooping hummus with a spoon and saying hello.
Waziri did have the idea of entertaining Bi Fang yesterday, but he did not come.
But even though he didn't come, no one had the idea that he was ignorant of current affairs. Anyone who walked in the vast desert for more than two months wanted to have a good sleep after it was finally over.
It would be stupid to have to drag the other person up to socialize. Moreover, it is even more understandable when I heard that the other person drifted at sea for more than a month before crossing the Sahara.
"Very good, this is the most comfortable sleep I've had in the past three months." Bi Fang gave a thumbs up and at the same time picked up a squab and chewed it raw, including the skin, meat and bones, making his mouth water.
I have been hungry for twenty-four hours, and eating such a big meal is extremely satisfying. It is like swallowing a large glass of ice water when you are thirsty on a hot summer day, or like drinking a sip of hot air on a cold winter day.
Spicy mutton soup.
Egypt is a typical Arab country that believes in Islam, so it is almost impossible to find pork and related foods, and it does not eat any animal offal or undercooked food, so food such as sashimi is completely unavailable in Egypt.
market.
Alcoholics will also suffer when they arrive in Egypt, because local drinks are non-alcoholic and Egyptians also prohibit drinking.
Although there are many taboos, they cannot affect the Egyptians' love for food at all.
The local taste is strong, and chili, curry, pepper, etc. are definitely used in most dishes, and Egyptians like rich, burnt and soft food.
In this way, the taste is more suitable for Bi Fang's stomach.
Plus the food here is quite rich.
With a combination of scholars and government workers, the food here cannot be bad, with all kinds of meat available.
Seeing Bifang swallowing heavily, Waziri's smile became even bigger.
Almost everyone has a side that likes Amway in their heart. If you recommend something you like to others and receive praise, you will gain a sense of recognition.
At this time, Waziri felt a touch of joy in his heart.
"Roasted pigeon is a delicacy that the groom must eat when we get married. We stuff rice and broad beans into the pigeon's belly. The roasted pigeon meat is tender, juicy and fragrant."
"Another way to make it is to put pigeon meat, onions, tomatoes and rice in a clay pot to make a stew."
Bi Fang gave a thumbs up, swallowed a piece of pigeon wing and bones, and praised: "I will definitely give it a try when I have time."
"Our kebabs here are also good and very popular. They use the best lamb and brush it with a mixture of salt, pepper, olive oil and other seasonings, then cut it into small pieces and thread it on an iron skewer.
The grilled meat skewers are golden, shiny, fragrant, and very juicy, and you can even dip them in the sauce when eating.”
Waziri went aside and came back with a plate of kebabs.
Bi Fang had not seen this thing over there before, so he thought it was the "small stove" that the other party opened for him.
For such formalistic things, Bifang just wanted to say.
Have more!
Bi Fang picked it up and gnawed it unceremoniously. The mutton was minced, seasoned with spices, and then grilled on a skewer. The roasted meat was so fragrant that it made your index fingers tick.
You can also drink a bowl of Molokia after eating.
A green soup made from mallow. Mallow leaves are mashed and boiled together with mutton, chicken, or rabbit meat, butter, green onions and other foods. The cooked mallow soup is a bit sticky, but it tastes delicious.
, you can also use garlic to enhance the flavor when eating, which is very satisfying when combined with grilled skewers.
Then Bifang ate all the kebabs for many people under Waziri's astonishing gaze, and burped slightly indecently.
"I have long heard that Egypt is the country of spices, and it is indeed well-deserved!"
"I saw many different types of spices along the way, but unfortunately there were not many and I couldn't collect them."
"That's such a shame."
Waziri is not without regrets.
The Sahara is not completely deserted, although most of the world's farmers and urban residents consider it an empty area, difficult to farm, uninhabitable, and of little use to humans today.
But this land is not worthless to humans.
For thousands of years, something extremely valuable has appeared on this dry land, and that is spices.
Spices have many uses. They can be eaten, smelled, and used to pickle mummies.
Just like cinnamon and star anise, it can be used not only for cooking, but also for making sachets.
Talking about the history of using incense, when the Egyptian pharaohs began to play with spices, the European nobles were still picking fruits.
After observing the Egyptian murals, you will find that the daily life of the pharaohs is probably: one day holding a spice jar, tomorrow holding two, and the day after tomorrow showing off to someone who does not have it, it is simply great fun.
Chemical ecologists believe that a high temperature and dry climate will do more good than harm to the evolution of aromatic plants containing benzene ring compounds.
The aromas emitted by the leaves of many aromatic plants may help them resist heat, drought, and damage from herbivores.
In plants in dry climate zones, the content of this fragrant, highly volatile, fleeting chemical substance is more concentrated than in plants in other places.
Coupled with the Egyptians' body odor problem, and artificial cultivation, this desert has become the most suitable place for the growth of the most powerful aromatic plants in the world.
So along the way, Bifang collected a lot of spice seeds. Unfortunately, there were many types and few in quantity, so he was reluctant to use them for cooking.
Now I am finally satisfied.
After the meal, Waziri and Bifang had a heart-to-heart talk about their travel experience and their intentions for the follow-up excavation of the ancient tomb before leaving. Before leaving, he once again invited Bifang to attend today's bonfire dinner.
Bi Fang originally planned to refuse, but when he heard Waziri say that there would be a whole lamb roasted in the evening, he couldn't resist the hospitality and could only reluctantly agree.
By the next day, Bi Fang was satisfied and chose to leave on a truck carrying fresh water.
As for Alpha, I asked another truck to transport it.
Before leaving, Bi Fang also presented a flint dagger made by himself to Waziri as a thank you for the two days of hospitality.
Finally, after spending two days in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, Bifang purchased a ticket and returned to China, while Alpha had one more day to arrive because it was a special consignment.
As soon as he opened the door, Bifang heard the patter of claws hitting the floor.
Then several big furry dogs poured down the stairs like a white torrent, running towards Bifang.
Obviously, after not seeing him for three months, even though his aunt came to feed him every day, his wealth and wealth had not forgotten his old master.
Then Bifang felt like he was plunged into a sea of spears, almost out of breath, and there were slippery tongues everywhere.
With six attacks coming from all directions, even a wilderness master like Bifang was unable to escape for a while. It took him several minutes to feel that the enthusiasm of the dogs had subsided.
"That's almost enough." Bi Fang stretched out his hand and pinched Goudan's mouth, "I'll take you to the club tomorrow to have some fun and make new friends along the way."
Alpha is too big and would be inconvenient to place at home.
Therefore, Bi Fang planned to place it in the club. Anyway, it is not far away and you can visit it often. I think it prefers a more open environment. This chapter has been completed!