On the nature and origin of cellular complexity: The combinatorial–eukaryogenetic scenario

Abstract

The ideas on the nature and origin of the cell nucleus published by K.S. Merezhkowsky in his book The Theory of Two Plasms as the Basis of Symbiogenesis, a New Study on the Origins of Organisms (1909) are still relevant. In this book, Merezhkowsky (1909, p. 86) wrote, “Part of my theory related to the nucleus, its nature and origin will be the subject of a separate paper, which will present facts serving as the basis for the ideas, which are here only touched upon briefly.” For various reasons, he was not able to publish the paper intended. Therefore, I here attempt to interpret Merezhkowsky’s original concepts on the nature and origin of the cell nucleus in a modern context.