The search for life in space continues. In these studies usually need oxygen, in search of carbon-based life forms. On the other hand, some researchers claimed that silicon-based or oxygen-free species could also exist. A living species has been discovered that does not require oxygen to support these claims.

What scientists discovered jellyfish-like A parasite with this structure has no mitochondrial genome. This allowed the discovered parasite to go down in history as the first multicellular structure without mitochondria. Mitochondria, which occur in large numbers in every cell, play a role in the production of energy from oxygen. The absence of mitochondria indicated that this creature did not require oxygen.

It will change the way we understand life

This discovery not only changes our understanding of life on Earth, but also provides significant support in the search for extraterrestrial life. Life on Earth evolved to use aerobic respiration 1.45 billion years ago. other than red blood cells All our cells contain mitochondria. Some creatures can breathe without oxygen, but these creatures are single-celled.

Researched by Dayana Yahalomi and her team from Tel Aviv University Henneguya salminicola structure called inside the cell without oxygen can live. DNA analysis showed that these structures lost not only their mitochondria, but also all related structures and genes. This discovery allows new methods to be developed to combat this parasite.

Research PNASIt was published in .