Autosymbiontic

/ˌɔːtəʊsɪmbaɪˈɒntɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to a symbiotic relationship where an organism benefits from its own cellular or organic components, rather than from another organism.

Etymology

From 'auto-' (self) plus 'symbiotic' (relating to mutual living together). This neologistic term applies symbiotic theory to internal biological relationships within a single organism.

Kelly Says

Mitochondria might be the ultimate example—they're essentially bacteria that got incorporated into our cells billions of years ago, and now they're so integrated that we literally cannot live without them, making our cells autosymbiontic structures.

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