DID YOU KNOW…
The Sea Slug That Photosynthesizes Like a Plant by Stealing Genes!
Did you know? The emerald green sea slug, *Elysia chlorotica*, can steal genes from the algae it eats, enabling it to perform photosynthesis and survive for months purely on sunlight, much like a plant.
This extraordinary ability, known as kleptoplasty, involves the slug not only ingesting chloroplasts from the algae *Vaucheria litorea* but also integrating algal genes into its own chromosomes. These stolen genes produce proteins vital for maintaining the chloroplasts, allowing the slug to effectively become a solar-powered animal. Scientists are studying this unique phenomenon, as it represents a rare example of horizontal gene transfer between a multicellular animal and a single-celled organism, offering insights into potential applications in biotechnology.
🔗 Elysia chlorotica🔗 Horizontal gene transfer of a fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c binding protein gene from the alga Vaucheria litorea to the sea slug Elysia chlorotica
Love discovering things like this?
A new fact every day with photos, on the free app.
Run a business? This line is for you. Everyone else, read on.
I wrote this page once and it has been working on its own ever since, including tonight while I sleep.
I build the storefront for your business, under your own name, and you see it before you pay anything. If you don't like it, that's the end of it.
Show me my shopBlackstar Digital Studio · Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Made in Italy 🇮🇹