A Distant Cousin of Jellyfish May Survive without Working Mitochondria

Mariana Apostolatos
AP Biology Even C
Mr. Ippolito  
Current Event 17
February 24, 2020

Lambert, Jonathan. “A Distant Cousin of Jellyfish May Survive without Working Mitochondria.” Science News, 24 Feb. 2020, www.sciencenews.org/article/jellyfish-cousin-may-survive-without-working-mitochondria.

According to a recent article by Jonathan Lambert, a distant cousin of jellyfish may survive without working mitochondria. While a few single-celled eukaryotes have adapted to low-oxygen environments by ditching their mitochondrial genomes, rendering their mitochondria useless, scientists had assumed that more complex animals couldn’t get by without them. However, parasitic cnidarians, a group of animals that includes jellyfish and coral polyps, may challenge biologists basic assumptions about what animals can do. Lambert continues his article by describing a study conducted by Dorothée Huchon, an evolutionary biologist at Tel Aviv University in Israel, along with her colleagues. They analyzed the genomes of members of a large and peculiar group of microscopic, parasitic cnidarians called Myxozoa and found that one species’s mitochondrial genome was missing. Microscopy revealed mitochondria-like structures within Henneguya salminicola, though the researchers doubt they are capable of aerobic respiration. Lambert stated that the loss may be an adaptation to H. salminicola’s low-oxygen environment. In addition to shelter, the parasite also may be able to rely on its hosts for energy, instead of its own mitochondria. Shedding unnecessary and cumbersome DNA through evolution might have helped the parasite save energy, giving H. salminicola a leg up over its mitochondria-filled Myxozoan cousins.

Prior to this study, biologists believed that mitochondria were the essential powerhouses behind eukaryotes’ more complicated lifestyles and scientists had assumed that more complex animals couldn’t get by without working mitochondria. However, this study shows that things may not be so simple and proves that evolution can be unpredictable, challenging biologists and their basic assumptions about what animals can do. In today’s society, it is important that we don’t assume scientific theories because as a result of this article, there may be more different species that can potentially thrive without certain organelles. The fact that mitochondria could be unnecessary for some animals is revolutionary. Scientists must continue researching eukaryotes because this can lead to further discoveries that can potentially help humans or other animals in the future. 

I decided to read this article because I was intrigued by the title and the fact that a distant cousin of jellyfish may survive without working mitochondria. This article was very well written and informative. It was very easy to read and follow, even providing an image of the parasitic cnidarian Henneguya salminicola after infecting salmon as part of its life cycle, releases microscopic spores, which are then eaten by worms, the creature’s other host. All of the information was introduced in chronological order and the author was very straight-foward and to the point. However, I felt that the article was lacking some information that could have helped deepen the reader’s understanding. The article was very short and I wished the author went more in depth about the impact this discovery has on society.