Skip to playerSkip to main content
Amaze Lab
  • 11 months ago
Octopuses are a pretty incredible species, known for having 8 arms, being highly intelligent and being able to fit into just about any space.But now biologists say they have another superpower: they can edit their own genetic information at will.
Transcript
00:00Octopuses are a pretty incredible species, known for having eight arms, being highly
00:08intelligent and being able to fit into just about any space.
00:11But now biologists say they have another superpower.
00:14They can edit their own genetic information at will.
00:17Researchers say that when water temperatures drop, octopuses can edit their own RNA to
00:21be better suited to colder waters.
00:22Here's what marine biologist and lead researcher on the project, Joshua Rosenthal, had to say
00:27about it.
00:28RNA recoding gives organisms the option to express a diverse quiver of proteins, when
00:32and where they choose.
00:33In cephalopods, most of the recoding is for proteins that are really important for nervous
00:37system function.
00:38So the natural question is, are they using this to acclimate the changes in their physical
00:42environment?
00:43Most creatures' genetic information can change due to their environment undergoing
00:46changes as well.
00:47But those usually happen over the course of generations, happening via minute alterations
00:51that prepare a species better for that environment.
00:54But octopuses, along with their other cephalopod cousins, all seem to be able to do it on the
00:58fly, with the researchers finding that in just 20 hours, they could alter their own
01:01genetic code to adapt to a change in their environment.
Be the first to comment
Add your comment

Recommended

In Order to Adapt to a Changing Environment, Octopuses Can Edit Their Genetic Code
Amaze Lab
7 months ago
Nine Brains and the Brightest Mind in the Ocean
Money Explainers
4 months ago
Could Octopuses Rule the Earth After Humans?
WooGlobe
1 year ago
Did You Know Tiny Insects Could Create Their Own Ocean Currents?
Amaze Lab
4 months ago
Eight arms, nine brains, and a world of hidden abilities.
Money Explainers
4 months ago
Scientists create octopus-inspired ā€˜super strongā€™ robotic suction cups
euronews (in English)
2 years ago
Why Do Octopuses Tear Themselves Apart After Mating?
Live Science
3 years ago
Why Do Octopuses 'Self-Destruct' After Mating?
Live Science
1 year ago
OTD In Space - January 17: Final Aerobee Sounding Rocket Launched
Space.com
2 hours ago
2023 & 2024 Solar Eclipses in the USA
Space.com
4 hours ago
Watch SpaceX Starship 25 Static Fire Tests In Real Time And Slow-Mo
Space.com
4 hours ago
Why Final Fantasy 16 Left a Strong First Impression on Fans
Hit Points
1 day ago
How Stray Gods Turned Greek Mythology Into a Musical Murder Mystery
Hit Points
3 days ago
A Look Back at Payday 3ā€™s First Gameplay Reveal and Developer Insights
Hit Points
5 days ago
Demo: How to Finger Whistle
Men's Journal1
1 year ago
How to Smoke Pork Belly
Men's Journal1
1 year ago
How to Make a Smoked Cocktail
Men's Journal1
1 year ago
How Tree Rings Can Reveal Timelines From the Ancient World
Amaze Lab
1 day ago
JWSTā€™s Mysterious ā€œLittle Red Dotsā€ May Be Powered by Hidden Black Holes
Amaze Lab
1 day ago
Why Space Agencies Say the Moon Will Need Its Own Official Timekeeping System
Amaze Lab
1 day ago
An Iceberg Bigger Than Manhattan Has Broken Away From Antarctica
Amaze Lab
1 day ago
Scientists Say Laser Fusion Has Officially Crossed the Energy Break-Even Point
Amaze Lab
2 days ago
Why Scientists Are Rethinking How Important ā€œInvisibleā€ Hearing Is for Snakes
Amaze Lab
2 days ago
Scientists Are Scrambling to Explain an Object Thatā€™s Brighter Than Physics Predicts
Amaze Lab
2 days ago
Scientists Say This Balloon Could Take Humans to the Edge of Space
Amaze Lab
2 days ago