In 2005, a team of scientists discovered the first organism that relies on photosynthesis yet lives in a part of the ocean that never gets sunlight. Researchers said their findings of photosynthesis in the dark point to the possibility of similar life on other planets
Photosynthesis In Animals
Animals need other animals or plants for food energy, but Texas A&M researchers are studying a sea slug that creates its own energy through photosynthesis. The sea slug eats algae but doesn't fully digest it. What remains in its system "continues to photosynthesize and provide food for the slug," similar to what a plant does.
Photosynthesis happens in two main stages, called the light-dependent stage and the light-independent stage. The light-independent stage is sometimes called the 'dark' stage.
ReplyDeleteThe light-dependent stage can only happen in the light. During this stage light is absorbed and turned into chemical energy (ATP). Oxygen is also produced.
The dark reaction takes place in the stroma within the chloroplast, and converts CO2 to sugar. This reaction doesn't directly need light in order to occur, but it does need the products of the light reaction (ATP and another chemical called NADPH). The dark reaction involves a cycle called the Calvin cycle in which CO2 and energy from ATP are used to form sugar. Actually, notice that the first product of photosynthesis is a three-carbon compound called glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. Almost immediately, two of these join to form a glucose molecule.
From my perspective: Animals can photosynthesize
ReplyDeleteTwo quite different groups of sea slugs have evolved ways of using the ability of plants to convert the sun's energy into sugars and other nutrients. In simple terms they have become "solar powered".
The herbivorous sacoglossans are suctorial feeders removing the cell sap from the algae on which they feed. In most, the cell contents are simply digested by the slug. Some species however have evolved branches of their gut which ramify throughout the body wall and contain plastids, which are the photosynthesising "factories" from the algae, alive and operating. In many cases these plastids are chloroplasts, but sacoglossans that feed on red and brown algae are also reported to keep the plastids from these algae alive as well.
own theory: from our point of view, not all animals are able to photosynthesize but only some rare marine animals are able to photosynthesis. example: green sea slug.
ReplyDeleteWe disagree with hidayat, jeryl , hazim and haryshan.
Evident: As we had search and asked uncle google, we can find only ONE ANIMAL which is able to photosynthesize. But there isnt any other animals that photosynthesis. So, this prove that not all animals photosynthesis.
new information: here's a website more about greean sea slug ^^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34824610/
Our theory: In our perspective, not all animals have the ability to photosynthesize. Take the green sea slug for example.
ReplyDeleteA green sea slug living in the salt marshes of New England and Canada apparently have stolen the genes of algae they have eaten. They are the only know multicellular animal capable of producing chlorophyll. Consequently, they are able to survive months with just sunlight alone. They can even pass on this gene to their offspring, although the kids have to algae to get enough chloroplasts to start photosynthesis on their own.
We agree with what 2e1 science TLLM have said.
Evidence: Our group has searched the net and the only answer we got was the green sea slug.
Visit this site for more info!
http://springfieldmn.blogspot.com/2010/01/animals-that-photosynthesize.html
My theory: In my perspective, only 2 animals can photosynthesis the Seaslug and mastigias a certain type of jellyfish. Trapped in this plankton-rich inland lake eons ago, the jellyfish have lost their ability to sting through evolution and their protected environment. The jellyfish survive with the Algae in their system that makes food for the jellyfish by photosynthesis, so they follow the sun around the lake each day.
ReplyDeleteI’ll have to disagree with 2e1 science TLLM , and Wen Qi,Vinny, Jia Jun & Lucas as not 1 but 2 animals can photosynthesis. Take for example, if human were to photosynthesize, let's go to the beach. Every summer, millions of hangin' surfers, hunky bodyguards, and foxy bikini babes lie in the sun, gradually turning their skin from light to dark. As they do so, the sunlight is converted ("photosynthesised")into vitamin D with the help of cholesterol: Animal Photosynthesis which is practically impossible
Evidence: Visit this web for The jellyfish thing www.suite101.com/article.cfm/scuba_diving/24297
I used yours truly Uncle Google for that so don’t tell me you can’t find it
Its just that you didn’t find hard enough!
In our opinion, animals cant photosynthesis because they do not have chlorophyll. Therefore, they cant make their own food.
ReplyDeleteAfter viewing this post, i've researched on this topic: In a clever bit of bioengineering, E. chlorotica has evolved the ability to co-opt chloroplasts from the algae it eats. Chloroplasts are the cellular machinery that allow plants (and algae, obviously) to conduct photosynthesis, creating food from sunlight and carbon dioxide. The slug stores these chloroplasts in the cells that line its gut.
Scientists had known for a while that young E. chlorortica could, after being fed algae for two weeks, survive without eating for the rest of their year-long lives. With a small up-front investment, E. chlorotica is able to meet all of its energetic needs via photosynthesis.
Read more: http://greenanswers.com/q/125539/animals-wildlife/behavior/can-any-animals-photosynthesize-i-heard-there-was-sea-slug-was-ha#ixzz0vVi49xof
In our opinion i think the animals cannot make their own foods.As animals derive energy through carbohydrates and other chemicals produced by plants through classic photosynthesis.As we exclude Algea,Fungi and Corals.The Algae in their tissue,allowing them to share nutrients directly with the animals.That's called symbiotic photosynthesis!
ReplyDeleteMy opinion:Yes,animals can photosynthesize.BUT!Scientist have not proven it yet theoretically and only a handful of animals can.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 2e1 science tllm ,Inoob.I disagree with Sheng Wei,Liu Yang,Jia Yi,Valerie,JIAQI!
Further explanation of jiaqi! is
The slug in question is Elysia chlorotica, a modestly-sized sea slug the same deep green as the algae one might see as scum in a fish tank at home. In fact, it looks rather like a broad, thick leaf, stolen from a rainforest and dropped into the ocean; the big giveaway that this is an animal is the two-horned head on one end. Well, that and the fact that in life it swims around, providing the fast movement that is another hallmark of animal (as oppose to plant) life
The catch is that chloroplasts should not be able to function outside of a photosynthetic organism. Like all cellular machinery, they require proteins coded by the DNA of the organism to stay active. Sea slugs simply don’t have the necessary genetic equipment to run their stolen chloroplasts—yet they were clearly running them just fine.
Read more:http://greenanswers.com/q/125539/animals-wildlife/behavior/can-any-animals-photosynthesize-i-heard-there-was-sea-slug-was-ha
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn the Dark
ReplyDeleteOur Theory:The organisms may contain photosynthetic pigments other than chlorophyll that can absorb other spectrums of electromagnetic radiation other than visible light. The pigments may be bacteriochlorophyll. These photosynthetic pigments are able to absorb infrared radiation or simply heat. All electromagnetic radiation are made of photon which is the basic unit of light and all other electromagnetic radiation. These pigments absorb infrared radiation, which is the electromagnetic spectrum majorly dealing in radiative heat transfer. The source f this is from geothermal vents which constantly heat the surrounding water. The infrared radiation may then be captured by these pigments and are then able to carry out photolysis or the light dependent stage of photosynthesis.
Photosynthsis in Animals
Our Theory: The sea slug are able to photosynthesise solely because when they eat the algae, they digest all except for organelles and also genes that are crucial for the process of photosynthesis to happen like chloroplast. Although they do photosynthesise, the food produced may only be enough to survive. That meaning they can't move around much as they would run out of it. Hence, they still need to eat, which they do. I agree with phanwilber's perspective of this matter.
Evidence:http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/01/green-sea-slug/
Putting our knowledge together:The slug is able to photosynthesise because it leaves the organelles and genes important for photosynthesis undigested to be used for this.
New Information to phanwilber on "Sea slugs simply don’t have the necessary genetic equipment to run their stolen chloroplasts"
ReplyDeleteThese sea slugs had been known to steal genes along with the chloroplasts.Through this >
My Opinion : They may be able to develop or adapt their genes so that they can activate the stolen chloroplasts or even produce chloroplasts by itself.
Evidence: http://www.physorg.com/news182501672.html
In our opinion: Animals certainly cannot have a process of photosynthesis in their body as they do not have or produce chlorophyll. Without chlorophyll, Photosynthesis cannot be taken place.The sea slug would not probably have the same digestive system like us or other mammals.Sea slugs do not produce chloroplasts.But they most probably had stolen genes from the algae.Most scientists knew this species as the half animal and half plant.The sneaky slugs seem to have stolen the genes that enable this skill from algae that they've eaten.In addition to stealing the genes needed to make the green pigment chlorophyll, the slugs also steal tiny cell parts called chloroplasts, which they use to conduct photosynthesis. The chloroplasts use the chlorophyll to convert sunlight into energy, just as plants do, eliminating the need to eat food to gain energy.
ReplyDeleteEvidence:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34824610/
Our P.O.V :
ReplyDeleteAccording to our research, the green sea slug is known as half animal & half plant. The sea slugs are green as they had stolen enough genes to become the first animal to make chlorophyll like a plant. It is also said that they can make their energy-containing molecules without having to eat anything. This is also the first time that multicellar animals have been able to produce chlorophyll. As long as they have light, they can survive without food.
Links to support our p.o.v :
- http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/01/green-sea-slug/
- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34824610/
By --Existence-- 2E1 :D
In my opnion, i think i tjust a enviromental changes cause a creature to so call 'develop' to this kind of way to live. Like all the people said, actually photosynthesis just depend on certain factors such as whether it has a cell which can photosynthesise.May be one day we can't get food from consuming living things, we might develop a skill which allow us to photosynthesise, and all the human will become 'Green MAN'.
ReplyDeletechia chen
From my perspective: Not all animals are able to photosynthesize, except for the green sea slug (also known as half animal & half plant)
ReplyDeleteI agree with 2e1 science TLLM, Wenqi, Vinny, Jia Jun, Lucas, and Sheng Wei, Liu Yang, Jia Yi, Valerie.
The most recent news on this remarkable slug has only further emphasized its perfect fusion of plant and animal traits. The newest results, as put forth by Sidney K. Pierce of the University of South Florida in Tampa, show that these slugs have actually established an entire chemical-making pathway to produce the chlorophyll required to sustain the use of their contraband chloroplasts: a chemical feat usually reserved for plants and other naturally photosynthetic life-forms.
While some other organisms, like corals, have symbiotic relationships with microbes which perform photosynthesis, none of them have achieved the level of seamless fusion of plant and animal elements seen in E. chlorotica. In other, symbiotic situations, the microbes are still whole, if tucked neatly into their host’s cells; E. chlorotica only takes the necessary bits and pieces of the algae it eats and incorporates them into its own body and metabolism. Some other sea slugs have even been known to take up chloroplasts from their food, like E. chlorotica, but none maintain them for active service like this species.
Evidence: As I’ve been searching and can find only one animal which is able to photosynthesize. Therefore, this proves that not all animals photosynthesis.
Read more: http://greenanswers.com/q/125539/animals-wildlife/behavior/can-any-animals-photosynthesize-i-heard-there-was-sea-slug-was-ha#ixzz0x95b9pER
i think that it animals can't make their own food but plants. if a plant does not get sunlight at all that plant cannot potosynthesize. the sea slug probrably has some other genetic characteristics that some plants do not have. that may be the reason why the sea slug can make its own food or even it maybe has some other form of chloroplast that is leaving inside its body for it to make its own food. if that plant does not get sunlight most probrably it has alot of stored food in other parts of its body but it may not last very long. thus we can say that a plant that does not have enough sunlight cannot photosynthesize but it can survive with the food it has stored which cannot last for long.as for the sea slug it probrably has some kind of other form of chlorophyll but you may never know what it really is.
ReplyDeletehere's a video i want to share about Elysia chlorotica - photosynthetic sea slug
ReplyDeletehow the photosynthetic sea slug obtain its chloroplasts from algae:
Elysia chlorotica - photosynthetic sea slug movie 1 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIyaxgBkToU&feature=related
Elysia chlorotica - photosynthetic sea slug movie 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQR_aaUqMPc