endosymbionts
/ˌɛndoʊˈsɪmbaɪɑnts/
noun
- Organisms that live inside the cells of another organism, often in a mutually beneficial relationship.
- Many corals rely on photosynthetic endosymbionts called zooxanthellae for energy.
- Scientists study endosymbionts to understand how complex cells evolved.
- The mitochondria in our cells are thought to have originated as ancient endosymbionts.