describe tthe emergence of eukaryotes and their impact on the evolution of life. summarie in one paragraph

The emergence of eukaryotes, which are complex cells characterized by a defined nucleus and organelles, marked a pivotal point in the history of life on Earth, occurring roughly 1.6 to 2.1 billion years ago. This evolutionary transition likely resulted from a process known as endosymbiosis, where prokaryotic cells merged and formed symbiotic relationships, leading to the development of organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts. The rise of eukaryotic cells facilitated increased cellular complexity, enabling the evolution of multicellular organisms and diverse life forms, including plants, animals, and fungi. Eukaryotes contributed to significant ecological innovations, such as photosynthesis in plants and the development of complex ecosystems, which profoundly shaped the biosphere and set the stage for the evolution of higher life forms and more intricate evolutionary dynamics.