By Sakshi Sah
Published Nov 13, 2024

Hindustan Times
Trending

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Meet the 'Immortal Jellyfish' that ages in reverse

The Turritopsis dohrnii, also called the 'Immortal Jellyfish,' has a unique ability that lets it escape death by reversing its age.

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Like other jellyfish, it begins life as a tiny larva, then develops into a polyp, and finally matures into an adult medusa.

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When faced with danger or stress, this jellyfish does something remarkable, it reverts to a younger stage instead of dying.

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If injured or stressed, the adult jellyfish transforms its cells back into a polyp, the earliest stage of its life.

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This process, called 'transdifferentiation,' allows its specialised cells to change back into simpler cells, which then continue to grow.

Photo Credit: Pexels (Representational Image)

Once it becomes a polyp again, the jellyfish can restart its entire life cycle, from young polyp to mature adult.

Photo Credit: Pexels (Representational Image)

By restarting its life cycle, the jellyfish avoids ageing and death, giving it the potential for 'immortality'.

Photo Credit: Pexels (Representational Image)

The immortal jellyfish is found in oceans around the world, often in warmer waters, quietly performing its incredible trick of survival.

Photo Credit: Pexels (Representational Image)

The Turritopsis dohrnii is a reminder of nature's wonders, showing us that the secret to 'immortality' might be hidden in the ocean.

Photo Credit: Pexels (Representational Image)

Scientists are amazed by this jellyfish’s ability and hope to learn more about how it regenerates its cells.

Photo Credit: Pexels (Representational Image)