microrobert
02-05-2015, 12:57 PM
From Algae To Sea Slug: Natural Transfer Of Photosynthesizing Genes
http://images.techtimes.com/data/images/full/44308/elysia-chlorotica.jpg
Scientists have long been baffled as to how a particular sea slug is able to photosynthesize after ingesting algae. Now, a team of researchers appears to have found the answer: the slug steals genes from the algae that it eats.
The slug's special ability to steal genes from algae allows it to live like a plant for a long period of time and get nourishment from the sun. It also provides the first known example of horizontal gene transfer in multicellular organisms.
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/30915/20150205/from-algae-to-sea-slug-natural-transfer-of-photosynthesizing-genes.htm
http://images.techtimes.com/data/images/full/44308/elysia-chlorotica.jpg
Scientists have long been baffled as to how a particular sea slug is able to photosynthesize after ingesting algae. Now, a team of researchers appears to have found the answer: the slug steals genes from the algae that it eats.
The slug's special ability to steal genes from algae allows it to live like a plant for a long period of time and get nourishment from the sun. It also provides the first known example of horizontal gene transfer in multicellular organisms.
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/30915/20150205/from-algae-to-sea-slug-natural-transfer-of-photosynthesizing-genes.htm