endosymbiosis
noun
en·do·sym·bi·o·sis
ˌen-dō-ˌsim-bī-ˈō-səs 
-bē-
-bē-
: symbiosis in which a symbiont dwells within the body of its symbiotic partner
Examples of endosymbiosis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These experiments show just how delicate the early stages of endosymbiosis are—the initial disadvantage to the host could have led to an unsuccessful match under natural conditions.
—
Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
By inducing endosymbiosis, researchers could potentially engineer plants to metabolize pollutants or manufacture medicines.
—Molly Herring, WIRED, 26 Jan. 2025
Evolution was fueled by endosymbiosis, cellular alliances in which one microbe makes a permanent home inside another.
—Quanta Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Where the ‘powerhouse of the cell’ and chloroplasts come from
Primary endosymbiosis happens when one microbial organism engulfs another.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2024
In more extreme cases, endosymbiosis can become obligatory, with neither organism able to survive without the other.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 11 Apr. 2024
While this is the first time endosymbiosis has been found in vertebrates, it's been observed in lots of other living things, like the nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live on the roots of some plants.
—Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2011
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Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
By inducing endosymbiosis, researchers could potentially engineer plants to metabolize pollutants or manufacture medicines.
—Molly Herring, WIRED, 26 Jan. 2025
Evolution was fueled by endosymbiosis, cellular alliances in which one microbe makes a permanent home inside another.
—Quanta Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Where the ‘powerhouse of the cell’ and chloroplasts come from
Primary endosymbiosis happens when one microbial organism engulfs another.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2024
In more extreme cases, endosymbiosis can become obligatory, with neither organism able to survive without the other.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 11 Apr. 2024
While this is the first time endosymbiosis has been found in vertebrates, it's been observed in lots of other living things, like the nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live on the roots of some plants.
—Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Endosymbiosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endosymbiosis. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
endosymbiosis
noun
en·do·sym·bi·o·sis
ˌen-dō-ˌsim-bī-ˈō-səs
-bē-
-bē-
plural endosymbioses
-ˌsēz
: symbiosis in which a symbiotic organism lives within the body of its partner
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