Jump to content
Join the Unexplained Mysteries community today! It's free and setting up an account only takes a moment.
- Sign In or Create Account -

This Weird Parasite Is The Only Animal That Can Survive Without Oxygen


Grim Reaper 6

Recommended Posts

Henneguya salminicola, a tadpole-like parasite that infects salmon, has a rather unique superpower – it can survive without oxygen. When examining Henneguya salminicola, researchers noticed something really strange: the microscopic parasite appeared to have no mitochondrial genome. The mitochondria, commonly known as “the powerhouses of the cell”, are organelles that rely on oxygen in order to produce energy. At first, scientists at Tel Aviv University thought it was a mistake, so they ran the analysis again, and confirmed that the parasite had no mitochondrial genome at all, meaning it did not generate energy the way all other known animals do. Although other single-cell organisms, like amoebas and fungi, have also developed the ability to survive in anaerobic environments, no animals – Henneguya salminicola qualifies as one despite having less than 10 cells – had been known to do that until now.

This Weird Parasite Is The Only Known Animal That Can Survive Without Oxygen (odditycentral.com)

Peer Reviewed Journal - ;A cnidarian parasite of salmon (Myxozoa: Henneguya) lacks a mitochondrial genome:  A cnidarian parasite of salmon (Myxozoa: Henneguya) lacks a mitochondrial genome | PNAS

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

good to know!  

Now we have a chance on Mars...just inject the Mars crew with the Henneguya and whallah...no need for oxygen...who knew? :P

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, jethrofloyd said:

The first humans on Mars will be build as a half the Henneguy - a half the Water Bear (Tardigrade)

Be careful what  you wish for!  :whistle:

 That's probably how we wound up with Reptillians.

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.