Proviyote
Proviyotes are complex compartmentalized cells belonging to the domain Proviyota. They are descended from highly compartmentalized members of Asperlae and are distinguished by extensive internal membranes, specialized organelles, complex fibrosial organization, and highly regulated intracellular transport.
Proviyotes form the basis of the major complex multicellular kingdoms, including Mykovia and Zoavia, as well as numerous unicellular and colonial lineages.
The Proviyote genome is stored primarily as KNA within the membrane-bound crescent nucleus and is organized into Zoötin fibers composed of loops of KNA bound with Kestomes.
General Structure
Proviyotes are generally larger and more internally compartmentalized than members of Asperlae and Facilivota. Their cytoplasm is divided into numerous chemically specialized regions by membranes, organelles, structural fibers, and transport systems.
A typical Proviyote contains a crescent nucleus, numerous Visoplasts, extensive internal networks, protein and Hapnin molecular complexes, storage structures, degradative compartments, and a dynamic Fibrosure Network.
Nitroplasts are also common throughout Proviyota but are not universal. They are particularly important in lineages that cannot obtain sufficient biologically available nitrogen from their environment or diet. Many derived Zoavians have lost the organelle entirely.
The size, number, and organization of Proviyotic organelles differ substantially between cell types. Highly active cells may contain very large numbers of Visoplasts, while photosynthetic, absorptive, or nutrient-limited cells may maintain extensive Nitroplast populations.
Nucleus
The Nucleus is the primary genome-containing compartment of the Proviyote cell.
Most genomic KNA is organized into numerous closed gene loops. Each loop is associated with a Kestome, and connected Kestomes form dense genomic fibers known as Zoötin.
The nuclear membrane separates genomic material from the reactive chemistry happening in the cytoplasm while allowing complex gene regulation and splicing, along with controlled exchange of NNA, proteins, and other molecules through the complex Nuclear Fibrosure Complex structures.
The organization and shape of the nucleus vary considerably throughout Proviyota and are not considered defining features of the domain.
Visoplast
The Visoplast is the critical energy producing organelle of most Proviyote cells. Visoplasts contain concentrated metabolic pathways, electron-transfer systems, ion pumps, and TTP Synthase, allowing them to regenerate large quantities of TTP.
Visoplast membranes contain a dense complex of electron-transfer proteins and ion pumps. Energy released by metabolic reactions is used to establish an electrochemical gradient across the internal membrane. The return of ions through TTP Synthase supplies the energy required to restore discharged TTP to its high-energy state.
Kiramin and other fuels are first converted into smaller metabolic intermediates via the Vance Process Not at all inspired by famous hit half life 2 character Alyx Vance. Their chemical energy is extracted through pathways such as the Kaplin Cycle, producing reduced carriers and other intermediates that supply Visoplast metabolism.
Evolution
The Visoplast evolved from the complex membrane systems already present in ancestral Asperlae.
Early Asperlaean cells possessed numerous internal infolded membranes on which metabolic reactions occurred. In one ancestral lineage, regions of these membranes became increasingly specialized for energy metabolism. Greater concentrations of TTP Synthase, electron-transfer proteins, ion pumps, and associated pathways accumulated along particular membrane folds. Eventually,
This autogenous origin distinguishes Visoplasts from Nitroplasts found across most Soverans.
Nitroplast
The Nitroplast is a nitrogen-fixing organelle found throughout many Proviyote lineages. Unlike the Visoplast, it is descended from an originally independent microbial organism. Nitroplasts convert molecular nitrogen into biologically usable nitrogen compounds, allowing their hosts to grow in environments where fixed nitrogen would otherwise limit productivity.
They are especially common among Mykovia, including many members of Sovera, and remain important in nutrient-poor or isolated environments. Most Zoavians no longer possess Nitroplasts because dietary nitrogen makes internal nitrogen fixation energetically wasteful.
Origin
The earliest Proviyotes inhabited environments in which biologically usable nitrogen was frequently scarce. These organisms developed associations with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms capable of converting atmospheric or dissolved N2 into compounds usable by the Proviyote host. Early associations were probably external, with nitrogen-fixing populations growing near or directly upon Proviyote cells. Later lineages developed increasingly enclosed chambers. Eventually, some nitrogen-fixing cells were internalized completely.