The world’s oceans are in the process of being taken over by a tiny little sea urchin that will not die. In fact, so unique is this little sea creature that it is drawing the attention of longevity and anti aging research scientists.
To state that this jellyfish is immortal would not be overstating the facts. The Turritopsis Nutricula, the tiny jellyfish in question and the only known animal or metazoan, able to return back to its adolescent self after it has completed its mating practice when it reaches sexually maturity. Marine biologists monitoring the developments claim that this jellyfish population is going through the roof since they have no innate reason to perish.
Marine experts at prestigious and renowned institutes from around the world believe we are witnessing what amounts to a quiet offensive by these demise flouting sea creatures.
The Jellyfish is native to the Caribbean waters but they have multiplied their numbers throughout the world’s seas. Turritopsis Nutricula is known in the text books as a hydrozoan and is quite able to return to its more youthful identity. This happens by way of a cellular development procedure known as transdifferentiation.
Research biologists are of the mind that this jellyfish can continue to replicate the cell development process ad infinitum, meaning that this ocean dwelling life form could be considered potentially immortal. Their ability to turn around the cycle of life is likely exclusive in the animal kingdom, and enables the jellyfish to avoid death. By any definition, this renders the Turritopsis nutricula organically and physically immortal. In Lab testing, evidential data displayed that one hundred percent of all specimens evaluated went back to their polyp state.
For the majority of the jellyfish ranks, death is usually imminent after they proliferate or reach the age of propagation, but not so, with the Turritopsis, it has a natural capacity to return to the polyp status.
Since it seems to have a connection with the fountain of youth, the tiny 5 mm sea dwelling jellyfish has become the subject of many detailed clinical studies. The examinations by marine biologists and geneticists are geared toward how this tiny creature is so able to reverse its aging process. The prospects are wildly interesting for those who wish to maintain their youth and increase longevity, perhaps even becoming immortal.
Tue, Nov 17, 2009
Anti Aging, Immortality, Longevity