Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is Turritopsis dohrnii?
What is Turritopsis dohrnii?
What is the maximum diameter of the medusa of Turritopsis dohrnii?
What is the maximum diameter of the medusa of Turritopsis dohrnii?
What is the initial stage of life for T. dohrnii?
What is the initial stage of life for T. dohrnii?
What happens to T. dohrnii when exposed to environmental stress?
What happens to T. dohrnii when exposed to environmental stress?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the diet of T. dohrnii?
What is the diet of T. dohrnii?
Signup and view all the answers
What makes T. dohrnii an important target of research?
What makes T. dohrnii an important target of research?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the bottom-living polyp form of T. dohrnii called?
What is the bottom-living polyp form of T. dohrnii called?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the location of the eggs of T. dohrnii?
What is the location of the eggs of T. dohrnii?
Signup and view all the answers
Where can T. dohrnii be found?
Where can T. dohrnii be found?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Turritopsis dohrnii: The Biologically Immortal Jellyfish
- Turritopsis dohrnii is a species of small, biologically immortal jellyfish found worldwide in temperate to tropic waters.
- It is one of the few known cases of animals capable of reverting completely to a sexually immature, colonial stage after having reached sexual maturity as a solitary individual.
- T. dohrnii begin their lives as tiny, free-swimming larvae known as planulae. As a planula settles down, it gives rise to a colony of polyps that are attached to the sea floor.
- If the T. dohrnii jellyfish is exposed to environmental stress, physical assault, or is sick or old, it can revert to the polyp stage, forming a new polyp colony.
- Theoretically, this process can go on indefinitely, effectively rendering the jellyfish biologically immortal, although in practice individuals can still die.
- T. dohrnii is an important target of basic biological, aging, and pharmaceutical research due to its capability of biological immortality with no maximum lifespan.
- The medusa of Turritopsis dohrnii is bell-shaped, with a maximum diameter of about 4.5 millimetres (0.18 in) and is about as tall as it is wide.
- Turritopsis dohrnii also has a bottom-living polyp form, or hydroid, which consists of stolons that run along the substrate and upright branches with feeding polyps that can produce medusa buds.
- Turritopsis is believed to have originated in the Pacific, but has spread all over the world through trans-Arctic migrations.
- The eggs develop in gonads of female medusae, which are located in the walls of the manubrium (stomach).
- Turritopsis dohrnii are a carnivorous species that commonly feed on zooplankton. Their diet mainly consists of plankton, fish eggs, and small mollusks.
- T. dohrnii is generally found living in temperate to tropical waters. They can be found in marinas or docks, on vessel hulls, and on the ocean floor.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
How much do you know about the biologically immortal jellyfish, Turritopsis dohrnii? Test your knowledge with our quiz and learn about this fascinating species that can revert back to its colonial stage and potentially live forever. Discover the life cycle, habitat, diet, and scientific significance of this jellyfish that has captured the attention of researchers around the world. Don't miss out on the chance to expand your knowledge of this unique and intriguing creature!
