• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

how do you gain genes by eating them?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Horizontal gene transfer.
Plasmids moving DNA from one cell to another.

It's a major force in the evolution of microorganisms.
 
it would have been nice if the article suggested some means by which the sea slug took the genes in. There are many ways horizontal gene transfer is accomplished. In order to actually incorporate it into the host genome, a vector such as a virus is usually used.

From a generic viral life cycle, host cells are used for reproduction: restriction enzymes cut host genetic material and whatever is close enough to fitting the "sticky" ends attaches, intentionally the viral genetic data, but can be other stuff (success is based on probability). In order for it to pass to the next generation it would have to happen in a sex cell though (since sea slugs don't reproduce by budding).

the genes for maintaining chloroplasts, and as per the article making chlorophyll, were probably transferred many generations past

edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transduction_(genetics))
wikipedia's entry for transduction, sadly, isn't that great
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elysia_chlorotica
as per wiki, the sea slug needs to ingest algae every ~10 months, as that is the lifespan of the chloroplast in the sea slug.
 
Last edited:
fralexandr said:
it would have been nice if the article suggested some means by which the sea slug took the genes in. There are many ways horizontal gene transfer is accomplished. In order to actually incorporate it into the host genome, a vector such as a virus is usually used.

From a generic viral life cycle, host cells are used for reproduction: restriction enzymes cut host genetic material and whatever is close enough to fitting the "sticky" ends attaches, intentionally the viral genetic data, but can be other stuff (success is based on probability). In order for it to pass to the next generation it would have to happen in a sex cell though (since sea slugs don't reproduce by budding).

the genes for maintaining chloroplasts, and as per the article making chlorophyll, were probably transferred many generations past

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restriction_enzyme
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elysia_chlorotica
as per wiki, the sea slug needs to ingest algae every ~10 months, as that is the lifespan of the chloroplast in the sea slug.
Click to expand...

Restriction enzymes are a bacterial invention which functions as a primitive immune system (restriction-modification system). Viruses do not use them, instead integrating more or less randomly into the host genome.
 
disappoint said:
Human ' Treeman ' begs for help as he turns into a tree.

Warning: graphic content.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DStwXsmZ3OE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkizRC5mZYQ

He got a cut on his knee, then started to turn into a tree.
Click to expand...


This is not just a disease.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidermodysplasia_verruciformis

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (also called Lewandowsky-Lutz dysplasia or Lutz-Lewandowsky epidermodysplasia verruciformis) is an extremely rare autosomal recessive genetic[1] hereditary skin disorder associated with a high risk of carcinoma of the skin. It is characterized by abnormal susceptibility to human papillomaviruses (HPVs) of the skin.
Click to expand...



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_papillomavirus
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus from the papillomavirus family that is capable of infecting humans. Like all papillomaviruses, HPVs establish productive infections only in keratinocytes of the skin or mucous membranes. While the majority of the known types of HPV cause no symptoms in most people, some types can cause warts (verrucae), while others can – in a minority of cases – lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, oropharynx and anus.[1] Recently, HPV has been linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.[2] In addition, HPV 16 and 18 infections are strongly associated with an increased odds ratio of developing oropharyngeal (throat) cancer.[3]
Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratin
Keratin (/ˈkɛrətən/[1][2]) refers to a family of fibrous structural proteins. Keratin is the key of structural material making up the outer layer of human skin. It is also the key structural component of hair and nails. Keratin monomers assemble into bundles to form intermediate filaments, which are tough and insoluble and form strong unmineralized tissues found in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals. The only other biological matter known to approximate the toughness of keratinized tissue is chitin.[3][4][5]

Keratin filaments are abundant in keratinocytes in the cornified layer of the epidermis; these are cells which have undergone keratinization.
Click to expand...

Perhaps the ancestor of these viruses played a role once in the development of different kinds of skin and scales of many animals and reptiles ?
 
Last edited:
ElFenix said:
http://www.livescience.com/6030-surprising-sea-slug-plant-animal.html

slug eats algae
slug steals algae genes
slug does photosynthesis, doesn't need to eat anymore

how does that work?

also, aphids:
http://www.livescience.com/22558-aphid-light-energy-plant.html
Click to expand...


Very interesting indeed.
However, it is confusing. I googled about how it functions but there are different opinions.
Some articles mention that the slug only absorbs the chloroplasts into the cell wall of the gut. lining the cells of the inner wall of the gut with chloroplasts. And since the gut of the slug is a huge part of the slug, the slug seems to have the chloroplasts everywhere in the body.
 
This is why rats become completely sterile and morbidly deformed within 10 generations of being placed on a gmo diet. Yes the very same gmo that half the dumbed-down obomney-loving willfully ignorant moron population goes out of their way to feast upon!
 
jagec said:
Restriction enzymes are a bacterial invention which functions as a primitive immune system (restriction-modification system). Viruses do not use them, instead integrating more or less randomly into the host genome.
Click to expand...

This.

As for the sea slugs, what seems to be happening here is they steal the chloroplasts. The chloroplasts contain DNA, much like mitochondria of eukaryotic cells. The chloroplasts can remain active for some time while in the sea slug. AFAICT, the algal genes are not incorporated into the sea slug genome.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22848693
 
Last edited:
sm625 said:
This is why rats become completely sterile and morbidly deformed within 10 generations of being placed on a gmo diet. Yes the very same gmo that half the dumbed-down obomney-loving willfully ignorant moron population goes out of their way to feast upon!
Click to expand...
That was a little too technical for me. Can you please repeat it in layman's terms?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top