Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Cooljeffct2 on 09/09/2009 20:11:22

Title: Can jellyfish live forever?
Post by: Cooljeffct2 on 09/09/2009 20:11:22
A few weeks ago a friend of mine asked me the simple question, "Does everything die?" I instantly was like "Well obviously" and then he had told me about a type of jellyfish that was discovered that could live until it reaches maturity then its aging process somehow reverses, What i would like to know is, if this is in fact an immortal creature, could we somehow use this creatures DNA/Etc. to our own benefit? Im not purely suggesting that we could achieve being immortal, but Im thinking along the lines of somehow using it to maybe slow the rate at which we age?


[MOD EDIT - Thanks for your contribution, but please phrase your thread titles as questions, in line with forum policy. Chris.]
Title: Can jellyfish live forever?
Post by: Cooljeffct2 on 10/09/2009 17:33:43
Sorry but I was not asking if a jellyfish could live forever though. I know it does, its proven. could you change my title back or to the questions i am acutally asking please? thank you.
Title: Can jellyfish live forever?
Post by: Don_1 on 10/09/2009 17:50:42
Quote from: National Geographic
Miglietta (Maria Pia Miglietta, a researcher at Pennsylvania State University) dismissed news reports from this week that implied the jellyfish could hold a key to anti-aging drugs for humans.

"Nobody is looking into that," she said, "and I don't think you're going to find any secrets in these creatures."
Title: Can jellyfish live forever?
Post by: Nizzle on 11/09/2009 14:24:15
Sorry but I was not asking if a jellyfish could live forever though. I know it does, its proven.

Bold statement.
I say don't change the title back until you present the proof [:)]
Title: Can jellyfish live forever?
Post by: Cooljeffct2 on 11/09/2009 18:16:53
Anyone who knows what google is could see it. lol
Title: Can jellyfish live forever?
Post by: Nizzle on 14/09/2009 10:22:37
Google is not proof you silly [:D] I find The Sun, the Daily Mail as sources for this info.  [::)]

PubMed, ISIKnowledge, science-direct, is a lot closer to proof..
Title: Can jellyfish live forever?
Post by: Tigerkix on 14/09/2009 13:34:28
http://www.jellyfishfacts.net/turritopsis-nutricula-immortal-jellyfish.html

yayyyyy
Title: Can jellyfish live forever?
Post by: Tigerkix on 14/09/2009 13:41:48
And I'm guessing that study into these jellyfish does not benefit the slowing of humans.
Title: Can jellyfish live forever?
Post by: Nizzle on 14/09/2009 14:21:54
Assuming the link two posts above is correct scientific data, then I conclude that the jellyfish as an organism is not immortal.
Only it's cells are immortal.

And the source explains what happens to the cells: in simple terms, the cells of an adult jellyfish specimen transdifferentiate into cells of juvenile polyps. The article mentions that theoretically, this cycle can go on infinite, but have they really looked into it?
It might as well only work 10 times, if the jellyfish cells would have an analogue to what we humans have as telomers.

Further investigation is required, and I remain sceptical
Title: Can jellyfish live forever?
Post by: Cooljeffct2 on 16/09/2009 17:35:46
I actually read somewhere, not sure at the moment, but it stated that scientists did do a study and all of them lived and never died. Plus wouldent it be possable to find the remains of any deceased ones? And if so why havent there been any found?
Title: Can jellyfish live forever?
Post by: glovesforfoxes on 16/09/2009 18:42:19
well, they'd be eaten pretty quick, and we don't walk in the sea every day [:)]
Title: Can jellyfish live forever?
Post by: Cooljeffct2 on 16/09/2009 21:23:36
We "Humans" do, someone everyday touches and/or will be taking steps at the bottom of the sea floor. Next time use harder wording lol. [:P]
Title: Can jellyfish live forever?
Post by: Tigerkix on 17/09/2009 16:45:25
Plus wouldent it be possable to find the remains of any deceased ones? And if so why havent there been any found?
This jellyfish is only 4.5 mm in diameter
Title: Can jellyfish live forever?
Post by: Cooljeffct2 on 06/10/2009 18:36:41
thats amazing.