Animals and plants can be classified into three distinct groups according to their pH- and pO-values and the ratios of inorganic ion concentrations and organic molecule concentrations in their intracellular or extracellular saps . The origin of these types could be sought in the evolutionary change from aquatic to terrestrial environment. The widespread existence of these types in nature enables a direct comparison between the physicochemical composition of consumer and its producer. An example of such relationship was found in the (...) order Hemiptera. No symbiosis exists when the consumer and producer belong to the same physicochemical type. On the other hand, if the types differ, extra- or intracellular symbiosis are usually found to exist. The conclusion is drawn that endosysmbiosis provides means for the compensation of this difference. (shrink)

Evolution proceeds in phases, alternatingly convergent and divergent. During the divergent phases, many variants of an evolutionary system arise, and in the convergent phases, these are brought together in a new, higher unity, which in turn varies, and so on. Thus the mechanism of evolution is trialistic, proceeding according to the Hegelian principle (in the widest sense) of thesis, antithesis and synthesis. This mechanism is at the same time mirrored in the structure of the evolving systems, being most clearly expressed (...) in the derivation of periodic systems of the individual levels of evolution. These relationships will be discussed using examples from symbiosis research, population dynamics and biogenesis. (shrink)

The intracellular symbiosis of leafhoppers is the first system in which the morphological description is extended to understand the principles of symbiosis on a molecular level. Host, symbionts and environment exist in mutual dependence with respect to pH, osmotic pressure, inorganic and organic substances. Symbionts function primarily as mediators between host and environment. They became integrated in the course of evolution, enabling the host to adapt to changing nutritional and other environmental conditions. Comparison with other symbiontic systems shows that this (...) seems to be a general principle.According to the endosymbiontic theory of eukaryotic cells, this is true also for mitochondria, chloroplasts, and possibly other cellular organelles. Thus, the intracellular organelles and the endosymbionts appear to represent functions of the same principle on a different level of integration. This can be interpreted as support for the endosymbiontic theory of eukaryotic cell. (shrink)