Art,
Ribosomal structure and sequence comparisons still show a closer
relationship between proks and mitochondria and chloroplasts, so the idea
has much more going for it than just being an "easy out for the origin of
mitochondria and chloroplasts". Just because Wally Gilbert says something
doesn't mean it's right. Is anyone biting on his claim? I'd be interested
in a reference if you have one, since I'm not exactly sure what you're
referring to. (Is it the loss of intron stuff?)
plausible hypothesis, and from what I can tell, has been widely accepted.
I'm not sure that the points that you have made give me any reason not to
consider it.
Obviously, this does nothing to explain the origin of prokaryotes, but
that's not my point in asking the question. I think that it does go some
distance in explaining aspects of the orgin of eukaryotes.
TG
_____________________________________________________________
Terry M. Gray, Ph.D. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Calvin College 3201 Burton SE Grand Rapids, MI 40546
Office: (616) 957-7187 FAX: (616) 957-6501
Email: grayt@calvin.edu http://www.calvin.edu/~grayt