Prokaryotes/eukaryotes, who needs who?

[delboy]

My guess is that if all prokaryotes were suddenly removed, then eukaryotes would soon become extinct.

But remove all eukaryotes, and some prokaryotes would survive.

Any thoughts?

[CharonY]

Prokaryotes form the basic elements of global nutrient cycles. So yes, rather obviously prokaryotes are essential and have lived long before eukaryotes even existed.