Although most of John Paul's assertions have been addressed, there is one that seems to have slipped by the wayside.
quote:
We haven't conducted an experiment to substantiate endosymbioses...
There is no need to conduct an "experiment" to substantiate endosymbiosis. It has been
observed in nature. I can think of three completely different modern organisms off the top of my head without even researching that are endosymbionts:
1. Probably the most famous is
Mixotricha paradoxa, a proctist consisting of a symbiotic colony of 5 different bacteria living in symbiosis within a larger organism. There are a whopping variety of proctists in various stages of endosymbiosis. (See, for example,
this article.
2. An entire family of multicellular organisms, the Cnidaria, are colony animals consisting of formerly free-living cells. (See, for example, Shostak, S. (1993) "A Symbiogenetic Theory for the Origins of Cnidocysts in Cnidaria". Biosystems 29:49-58)
3. Lichens are an endosymbiotic family of organisms consisting of blue-green algae and a fungus. The algae provides energy for the amalgam from photosynthesis and secretes an acid that breaks down minerals for use by the fungus. The fungus provides a membrane "home" for the algae insuring moisture and protection - even in the dryest environment. (Pick up any biology textbook...)
You really need to do some of your own research rather than simply cutting and pasting from creationist websites. You might actually learn something.
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