Organelles

Contrary to popular belief, bacteria have organelles too. Scientists are now studying them for insights into how complex cells evolved.

New studies revise ideas about the symbiosis that gave mitochondria to cells and about whether the last common ancestor of all eukaryotes was one cell or many.

Mitochondria are most famous as sources of metabolic energy. But by splitting and combining, they can also release chemical signals to regulate cell activities, including the generation of neurons.

Trash collectors in the cell moonlight at the controls of the genetic machinery.