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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe 'blob': Paris zoo unveils unusual organism which can heal itself and has 720 sexes
From https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/17/europe/france-new-organism-zoo-intl-scli-scn-hnk/index.html
(Video at link)
The 'blob': Paris zoo unveils unusual organism which can heal itself and has 720 sexes
By Julie Zaugg, CNN
Updated 12:24 PM ET, Thu October 17, 2019
(CNN)It is bright yellow, can creep along at a speed of up to 4 centimeters (1.6 inches) per hour, can solve problems even though it doesn't have a brain and can heal itself if it is cut in two.
Meet the "blob," an unusual organism which will go on display Saturday at the Paris Zoological Park, as part of a first-of-its-kind exhibition intended to showcase its rare abilities.
The slime mold, which is known officially as physarum polycephalum (or "the many headed slime" ) is neither a plant, an animal or a fungus. It doesn't have two sexes -- male and female -- it has 720. And it can also split into different organisms and then fuse back together, according to a press release from the Zoological Park.
The unicellular being is believed to be around a billion years old, but it first came to the public's attention in May 1973, after a Texas woman discovered a rapidly-expanding yellow blob growing in her backyard. With its otherworldly, extraterrestrial appearance, the blob became a brief media sensation, even picking up a mention in the New York Times.
[...]
By Julie Zaugg, CNN
Updated 12:24 PM ET, Thu October 17, 2019
(CNN)It is bright yellow, can creep along at a speed of up to 4 centimeters (1.6 inches) per hour, can solve problems even though it doesn't have a brain and can heal itself if it is cut in two.
Meet the "blob," an unusual organism which will go on display Saturday at the Paris Zoological Park, as part of a first-of-its-kind exhibition intended to showcase its rare abilities.
The slime mold, which is known officially as physarum polycephalum (or "the many headed slime" ) is neither a plant, an animal or a fungus. It doesn't have two sexes -- male and female -- it has 720. And it can also split into different organisms and then fuse back together, according to a press release from the Zoological Park.
The unicellular being is believed to be around a billion years old, but it first came to the public's attention in May 1973, after a Texas woman discovered a rapidly-expanding yellow blob growing in her backyard. With its otherworldly, extraterrestrial appearance, the blob became a brief media sensation, even picking up a mention in the New York Times.
[...]
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The 'blob': Paris zoo unveils unusual organism which can heal itself and has 720 sexes (Original Post)
sl8
Oct 2019
OP
DetlefK
(16,423 posts)1. Holy shit.
FM123
(10,053 posts)2. Impressive, wow!
We must immediately stop referring to our White House occupant as an orange blob - it is an insult to blobs everywhere. Especially this one that is so exceptional and can do so many amazing things!
chowder66
(9,073 posts)9. Blobs everywhere. : D
FM123
(10,053 posts)12. I know, I was laugh-typing that...
chowder66
(9,073 posts)14. Very funny and cute! nt
Faux pas
(14,681 posts)3. Fascinating!
And at the same time
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)4. physarum polycephalum,
We should worship it!
Makes more sense than sky daddy.
LeftInTX
(25,376 posts)5. Although not a true fungus, it is closely related
And it was originally categorized as a fungus...
mopinko
(70,127 posts)6. i follow a couple of mushroom pages on fb.
there is at least one post a month of slime mold. they come from all over.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)7. We'd need a LOT bigger alphabet.
Luz
(772 posts)8. Between the blob and car driving mice, we're in trouble.
panader0
(25,816 posts)10. 720?? The mind reels....
meadowlander
(4,397 posts)15. Imagine the Tinder interface...
chowder66
(9,073 posts)11. Its favorite food is oatmeal! lol
Last edited Wed Oct 23, 2019, 07:27 PM - Edit history (1)
FM123
(10,053 posts)17. Yes! It had me at "oatmeal"
chowder66
(9,073 posts)13. Can someone explain to me how it can have 720 sexes?
Or what are the 720 sexes?
Tanuki
(14,918 posts)16. Here, briefly:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5325747
..."In case you're wondering how the blob has 720 sexes, here's how it works: While human sex cells come in two types (sperm and egg), slime moulds have sex cells with multiple genes that can come in different combinations. Those combinations determine whether two individuals can mate with one another. "
..."In case you're wondering how the blob has 720 sexes, here's how it works: While human sex cells come in two types (sperm and egg), slime moulds have sex cells with multiple genes that can come in different combinations. Those combinations determine whether two individuals can mate with one another. "
chowder66
(9,073 posts)18. Thank you. I tried google first but came up short.
Must have phrased the question wrong.
DFW
(54,405 posts)19. I wonder how you say "vive la difference" in Blobese? n/t
SharonClark
(10,014 posts)20. Fascinating! Thanks for posting.
Maru Kitteh
(28,341 posts)22. Does that make it easier, or harder for a lonely blob to find a date?
Takket
(21,577 posts)23. Blob/Warren 2020
eleny
(46,166 posts)24. Yet another thing that would make a better president