Paris/Project Description/Paris/colonial theory of evolution of multicellularity

From 2007.igem.org

Colonial theory of evolution of multicellularity Proposed by Haeckel in 1874, the colonial theory claims that the symbiosis of many organisms of the same species led to multicellular organisms. There are essentially two ways to make a simple multicellular entity out of single cells: either a single cell divides and its offspring stick together, or several solitary cells aggregate to form a colony. Division and adhesion is characteristic of multicellular forms of aquatic origin (from an egg), whereas aggregation is typical in terrestrially derived colonies (example: Gonium).

Ernst Haeckel


Sources:
- Wolpert L, Eörs Szathmáry. Nature 2002 Vol.420 p745
- Wikipedia