Final answer:
The evolution of eukaryotic cells is explained by the endosymbiotic theory, illustrating the transition from prokaryotic to complex eukaryotic cells with organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process in the evolution of eukaryotic cells that is illustrated in the image is most likely the endosymbiotic theory. This theory explains the emergence of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic ancestors through a symbiotic relationship, where one prokaryotic cell engulfed another, eventually forming the organelles we see in modern eukaryotes, like mitochondria and chloroplasts. The key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is the complexity and organization in eukaryotes, including the presence of a nuclear membrane and organelles, and the capability for advanced processes like mitosis and sexual reproduction. Binary fission in prokaryotes differs from cell division in eukaryotes due to eukaryotic cells undergoing a more complex process involving mitosis, which allows for the equal distribution of duplicated chromosomes into two daughter cells.
Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells share fundamental features such as a plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and DNA as genetic material. However, eukaryotic cells have a more intricate structure, containing organelles such as a nucleus, which houses chromosomes arranged with histones, and specialized organelles for various metabolic processes. The transformation from prokaryotic to eukaryotic life forms paved the way for the evolution of complex multicellular organisms, highlighting the significance of early evolutionary processes in the diversity of current life on Earth. Mitochondria and chloroplasts were pivotal for the increased energetic efficiency and capability of photosynthesis in ancestral eukaryotic cells, granting them a substantial evolutionary advantage.