• Tlaloc_Temporal
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    2 months ago

    Eh, that’s a few dozen steps removed. By that standard, every herbivore “uses” photosynthesis.

    These guys (coral & lichen too) use photosynthesis much more directly, completely encapsulating the algea and supporting it internally. It’s much closer to mitochondria.

    • Justin@lemmy.jlh.name
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      2 months ago

      True haha, thats a good distinction. I’m just joking here.

      Kind of interesting that chloroplasts in plants seem to be a sort of symbiosis as well, like mitochondria, considering the cell walls around them.

      • deltapi@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        Yes, they are distinct organelles with their own DNA, so you are spot on with the comparison to mitochondria