No one really knows the answer but the most supported theory I think, is that there was molecules present (I forget which they were) that were responsible for creating amino acids, nucleic acids, and lipids, which led to the creation of RNA (or something like that).
another anonymous forum banned user question: why do turtles get so old and what do they do with all that time?
it isn't confirmed but one theory states that it has to do with their metabolism. They have a lower metabolism than us, since they just use the sun as a source for heat, while we have to keep ourselves warm. As we breathe, oxygen goes into our cells, which allows the process of respiration, the driving force behind our metabolism, growth and development.
While we make energy from food in this way, hazardous by-products called reactive-oxygen species (ROS) are created that can damage our DNA. The higher the metabolic rate, the more likely our cells are to mutate and malfunction. Reptiles, like tortoises might be less susceptible to damage to DNA caused by ROS, because they produce lower levels of these reactive chemicals.
Regarding what they do with all that time: that's none of my business
i think it's pretty possible that it started in water because without water there is no life (since NASA's top indicator of life on other planets is the presence of water).
and so unicellular organisms without a nucleus (prokaryotes) were born, somehow, and from them came eukaryotes (they evolved into organisms with a nucleus by engulfing other single celled organisms) and the rest happened from there.
anonymous forum banned user asked: what are octopuses like in real life and why's its genome so funny?
well octopuses are pretty much aliens. I mean, imagine a creature with three hearts and no vertebrae (or any other skeletal structure for that matter), with most of its nearly half a billion neurons distributed in all eight tentacles. Each of them can regenerate like nothing ever happened and has a mind of its own.
It can stiffen its muscles into temporary "elbows" and "shoulders". This creature has the creepy and scary and amazing capability of perfect camouflage and decorates its lair with leftovers of its prey.
that is what an octopus is like in real life.
The genome is funny because its not what they expected at all, most of it is normal mollusk genes, but what's different is that there is an expansion of a group of genes linked to brain development and once thought to be unique to vertebrates.
They also found hundreds of specific genes [to cephalopods] that express specialized features of the octopus, which includes its skin and many suction cup-like things on its tentacles. The researchers even believe they've found the genes involved in adaptive coloration, which is cool because maybe one day we can inject it into a fetus and they can become a living, breathing octodad.
manatees are one of many animals that engage in homosexual activities. it usually happens during social activities known as cavorting, manatees of all ages participate.
It's unknown what the actual purpose of this is, but some ideas are that it could be "contests of stamina", a form of aggression, playing, tension reduction, a greeting or social bonding, reassurance or reconciliation, and coalition or alliance building.
well the coolest marine biology thing is subjective. i guess it depends on what you're interested in.
i guess the coolest thing would be that some fish are sequential hermaphrodites, meaning they change from one sex to another.
For example, in Finding Nemo, if it were scientifically accurate, Nemo would probably become a female and form a pair with his father (as the oldest, most dominate is usually the male) however, it could be stated that Marlin (Nemo's dad) is a huge wuss and pushover, so he could become the female and Nemo could stay male.
i didnt really plan on doing opinions so i'm gonna pick and choose who i do opinions on.
well you see, transient orcas and seals have a predator/prey relationship, and so transient orcas feed on seals to sustain themselves.
but i originally didn't like you because of your superiority complex regarding england vs. america. i think it's extremely narrow-minded to say any country is better than another. but that's besides the point, it rubbed me the wrong way. i don't really know why else we didn't get along, i do a lot of things on a whim without worrying about consequences, just because i feel like it at the time. so i'm sure at the time i was feeling especially antagonistic and decided to just go ahead and start crap.
