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Single-Celled Species' Genome As Complex As Ours?
An anonymous reader writes: "A new paper reports on the sequencing and analysis of the genome of a single-celled species known as Tetrahymena thermophila. This ciliate (like the Paramecium people look at in school) has some 27,000 genes, or nearly as many as humans. And despite existing as a single cell, this spcies encodes fantastic complexity and unusual features. For example, it has a primitive immune system that prevents the invasion of foreign DNA. Also, it is able to cordon off its germ cell lineage much as humans do with sperm and eggs. But Tetrahymena does this by having two nuclei within each cell, with one of the nuclei being held in reserve for sex. Basically, this species uses its genome complexity to function like a single celled chameleon, changing its shape and its properties in response to the changing environment. For example, when a new nutrient shows up in its neighborhood this species can build a kit to suck the nutrient in, degrade it, and turn it into cellular biomass quickly. Thus whereas humans use their genomic complexity in part to create a stable environment for the body, this species simply uses a genomic swiss army kit to make do with whatever environment it encounters."
. . . I for one welcome our new micro-overlords
if I just ejaculate into a pool of these things?
Monstar L
But Tetrahymena does this by having two nuclei within each cell, with one of the nuclei being held in reserve for sex.
Do you think there are any movies of this on the net somewhere?
Again, you jump out and look for ways to divide us. For each statement above, it's meant to be simple and broad and collectively I guarantee that 90% or more of the US population agrees with the above statements. From there I would propose devling deeper into each topic in order to determine what we still agree on within the subtopic. Remember too, that the majority should rule, especially when it's overwhelming majority. Just because 5% of the population thinks drunk driving is safe, doesn't me we should make it legal. Similar arguments for everything else.