New techniques in molecular biology have brought spectacular new insights into the study of evolution at the molecular level. This book presents the resulting relatively new concept of "molecular phylogeny", with an overview of current accomplishments and the future direction of research on organelle origin and evolution and the biology of the "higher cell".

The compartmentation of genetic information is a fundamental feature of the eukaryotic cell. The metabolic capacity of a eukaryotic (plant) cell and the steps leading to it are overwhelmingly an endeavour of a joint genetic cooperation between nucleus/cytosol, plastids, and mitochondria. Alter- ation of the genetic material in anyone of these compartments or exchange of organelles between species can seriously affect harmoniously balanced growth of an organism. Although the biological significance of this genetic design has been vividly evident since the discovery of non-Mendelian inheritance...