The Cellular Secret to Resisting the Pressure of the Deep Sea
Researchers discovered that deep-sea comb jellies possess unique lipid membranes, primarily plasmalogens, enabling survival under high pressure, with implications for understanding cellular processes in various organisms, including humans.
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researchers found that these lipids adopt a more compact, curved shape, which is crucial for maintaining membrane integrity under extreme conditions. This adaptation allows deep-sea comb jellies to thrive in high-pressure environments, while their shallow-water counterparts disintegrate when exposed to such conditions. The study highlights the significant role of plasmalogens in the membranes of deep-sea organisms, suggesting that similar adaptations may exist in other deep-sea life forms. The findings provide insights into how life can endure in one of Earth's most extreme habitats and may have implications for understanding cellular processes in various organisms, including humans.
- Deep-sea comb jellies have evolved unique lipid membranes that withstand extreme pressure.
- Plasmalogens, a type of lipid, make up a significant portion of deep-sea jelly membranes.
- The study reveals how molecular adaptations enable survival in high-pressure environments.
- Research findings may extend to understanding cellular functions in other deep-sea organisms and humans.
- The collaboration between biochemists and marine biologists was crucial for this research.
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5 comments"On the other hand, in the late 1980s the Western Atlantic ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi was accidentally introduced into the Black Sea and Sea of Azov via the ballast tanks of ships, and has been blamed for causing sharp drops in fish catches by eating both fish larvae and small crustaceans that would otherwise feed the adult fish."
That's a hell of a thing to drop with no further explanation. I thought eukaryotes were supposed to have evolved from basically archaea, or at least very archaea-like ancestors. How do eukaryotes end up sharing chemistry with bacteria but not archaea?
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