title: Symbiosis and the evolution of prokaryotes.
abstract: It is postulated, with support from kinetic modelling, that a succession of symbioses was the major process of evolution during the early stages of life. The process became less effective with the passage of time, while evolution by the natural selection of variants became more effective. The postulate may contribute usefully to discussions on the evolution of biochemical complexity and the structure of cells.
mesh_terms: D005075:Biological Evolution; D002384:Catalysis; D002477:Cells; D004777:Environment; D007700:Kinetics; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D011387:Prokaryotic Cells; D013559:Symbiosis