Solar powered vertebrate (through symbiosis with algae)

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the discovery that salamander embryos can utilize algae as internal power stations, providing both oxygen and glucose through a symbiotic relationship. Erin Graham from Temple University conducted experiments using radioactive carbon-14 to demonstrate that the embryos absorb glucose produced by the algae via photosynthesis. The embryos exhibited radioactivity only when exposed to light, confirming the reliance on photosynthesis for energy acquisition.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of symbiotic relationships in biology
  • Knowledge of photosynthesis processes
  • Familiarity with radioactive isotopes and their applications in biological research
  • Basic concepts of embryonic development in vertebrates
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of symbiosis in other vertebrate species
  • Explore the mechanisms of photosynthesis in algae
  • Investigate the use of radioactive tracers in biological studies
  • Learn about the developmental biology of amphibians, particularly salamanders
USEFUL FOR

Biologists, ecologists, and researchers interested in symbiotic relationships, photosynthesis, and amphibian development will benefit from this discussion.

Pythagorean
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A close examination of [salamander] eggs revealed that some of the algae were living within the embryos themselves, and in some cases were actually inside embryonic cells. That suggested the embryos weren't just taking oxygen from the algae: they might be taking glucose too. In other words, the algae were acting as internal power stations, generating fuel for the salamanders.

To find out if that was happening, Erin Graham of Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and colleagues incubated salamander eggs in water containing radioactive carbon-14. Algae take up the isotope in the form of carbon dioxide, producing radioactive glucose.

Graham found that the embryos became mildly radioactive – unless kept in the dark. That showed that the embryos could only take in the carbon-14 via photosynthesis in the algae.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn23090-zoologger-the-first-solarpowered-vertebrate.html
 
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Wow that's pretty interesting.