However, while they dont have respiratory organs, tardigrades do require oxygen to live.
But what if there is an animal that doesnt need oxygen, one of the essentials to life?
Instead, the H. salminicola sustains itself by directly taking nutrients and molecules from its salmon host.
Photo:Stephen Atkinson(CC BY 4.0)
In most organisms, mitochondria are responsible for converting food into energy.
The study’s results showed the presence of mitochondrial DNA in M. squamalis, but not in H. salminicola.
Its finding brings up the question of life in extreme environments, including those found in space.
Photo:Stephen Atkinson(CC BY 4.0)
As research on extraordinary organisms continues, our understanding of the fundamentals of life will continue to evolve.
Photo:Stephen Atkinson(CC BY 4.0)
Photo:Stephen Atkinson(CC BY 4.0)
