Found this quite interesting: Turritopsis nutricula Biological Immortality Most jellyfish species have a relatively fixed life span, which varies by species from hours to many months (long-lived mature jellyfish spawn every day or night (the time is also rather fixed and species-specific)). The medusa of Turritopsis nutricula is the only form known to have developed the ability to return to a polyp state, by a specific transformation process that requires the presence of certain cell types (tissue from both the jellyfish bell surface and the circulatory canal system). Careful laboratory experiments have revealed that all stages of the medusae, from newly-released to fully-mature individuals, can transform back into polyps. The transforming medusa is characterized first by deterioration of the bell and tentacles, with subsequent growth of a perisarc sheet (see hydroid) and stolons, and finally feeding polyps. Polyps further multiply by growing additional stolons, branches and then polyps, to form colonial hydroids. This ability to reverse the life cycle (in response to adverse conditions) is probably unique in the animal kingdom, and allows the jellyfish to bypass death, rendering Turritopsis nutricula potentially biologically immortal. Studies in the laboratory showed that 100% of specimens could revert to the polyp stage, but so far the process has not been observed in nature, in part because the process is quite rapid and field observations at the right moment in time are unlikely. In spite of this remarkable ability, most Turritopsis medusae are likely to fall victim to the general hazards of life as plankton, including being eaten by other animals, or succumbing to disease. So pretty much whenever this jellyfish feels like it's in danger (lack of food, lots of predators etc), it finds a safe place, and reverts back to a baby. aand it can do this indefinitely. Fun fact of the day.
That is quite interesting. I'm just glad I'm not immortal... That would be an awful curse to have unless everyone were immortal as well.
I'm the exact opposite, I CAN'T EFFIN' WAIT TO DIE! But hey, if we humans could do this, think of the many possibilities...
LOL Remember the one ep where he tries to assimilate with the Jellyfish? He doesn't have a stinger fetish. He wants to be a Jellyfish.
human longevity is based on telomere length. Stem cell research (which i firmly support) is only steps away from unlocking its full potential. once the mysteries of telomeres are solved, cancer, aging, and death will have a cure. no joke.
I bet some freaks will try to genetically engineer this ability into humans. Like we aren't already overpopulated on Earth.
