Final answer:
The first eukaryotic cell likely arose from the archaeal lineage, as supported by genomic DNA sequences and the work of James Lake, suggesting an endosymbiotic gene fusion between Archaea and Bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
Origin of Eukaryotic Cells
Genomic DNA sequences support the idea that the first eukaryotic cell arose from within the archaeal lineage. Research conducted by James Lake of the UCLA/NASA Astrobiology Institute suggests that the genome fusion process, which is responsible for the evolution of eukaryotic cells by endosymbiosis, occurred between two species: one Archaea and the other Bacteria. Endosymbiotic gene fusion would provide an explanation as to why some eukaryotic genes resemble those of Archaea, whereas others resemble those from Bacteria.
The 'host' cell membrane and biochemistry of eukaryotes appear more similar to those of Archaea. Furthermore, the nuclear genome of eukaryotes descended from an archaean ancestor. This hypothesis aligns with the fact that eukaryotes share structural features absent in bacteria, such as the TATA box, but also have genes more homologous with bacterial DNA, suggesting a fusion of lineages rather than a direct descent from Archaea.