Scientists at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source have uncovered new insights into how ocean creatures adapt to different environments. Using tools from the NSF-backed Center for High-Energy X-ray Sciences, researchers studied deep-sea and shallow-water comb jellies, discovering that they have adapted by developing differently shaped lipid molecules in their cell membranes.
Interestingly, deep-sea comb jellies brought to the surface experience membrane breakdown due to the lack of external pressure. On the other hand, shallow-water jellies struggle to function at deep-sea pressure levels due to the rigidity of their membranes. These findings not only enhance our understanding of survival mechanisms in extreme environments but also hold potential for insights into human biology and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
The lipids found in deep-sea comb jellies’ membranes are known as plasmalogens, which are also abundant in the human brain. Loss of plasmalogens has been linked to disease progression and aging in humans. The researchers believe that their discoveries about plasmalogen structure could provide valuable insights into how these molecules function in human physiology and disease processes.
In conclusion, these findings highlight how ocean creatures have developed unique adaptation mechanisms that may hold potential insights into human biology and disease processes.