Meet the Incredible Blob: A Creature with 720 Sexes and No Brain
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Chapter 1: Introduction to the Blob
If you find yourself in Paris, you might encounter a remarkable microbe known as "the blob." This bright yellow unicellular organism resembles a fungus but exhibits behaviors akin to those of animals. As announced on social media, this unique creature will be showcased in Paris starting this weekend, located among the branches of a tree within the vivarium at the Parc Zoologique de Paris, previously referred to as the Zoo de Vincennes.
The blob, scientifically known as Physarum polycephalum, is noteworthy not only for possessing almost 720 sexes but also for its extraordinary abilities. It can move up to one centimeter per hour without limbs, locate and consume food despite lacking eyes and a stomach, heal itself within two minutes if severed, double its size daily, and can even cover several square kilometers. Remarkably, it is nearly indestructible.
Section 1.1: The Blob's Unique Abilities
This fascinating organism and its relatives, the slime molds, demonstrate astonishing capabilities. They can navigate mazes, replicate the layouts of human-made transportation systems, and select the healthiest food options from diverse choices. The algorithms directing these movements are believed to be biologically programmed into each cell's chemistry, prompting us to reconsider our understanding of biological intelligence.
Subsection 1.1.1: Learning Without a Brain
Bruno David, the director of the Paris Museum of Natural History, highlighted the blob's surprising ability to learn and share knowledge with other blobs, even without possessing a brain. "It surprises us because it has no brain but is able to learn. If you merge two blobs, the one that has learned will transmit its knowledge to the other," David explained to Reuters.
This creature's unexpected behaviors challenge traditional notions of intelligence. "The blob is a living being that belongs to one of nature's mysteries," Dr. David remarked.
Chapter 2: The Mystery of the Blob
The blob's name is derived from a 1958 sci-fi horror film where an alien entity wreaks havoc in a small town in Pennsylvania. Despite its peculiar traits, the exact classification of the blob remains unclear. It exhibits characteristics of all three primary life kingdoms: it feeds like an animal, reproduces like a fungus, and is colored like a plant. Dr. David stated, "We know for sure it is not a plant, but we don't really know if it's an animal or a fungus."
Taxonomists currently place the blob, along with approximately 900 related species, in the kingdom of protists due to shared characteristics. As a plasmodium, commonly referred to as a slime mold, it is larger than bacteria and possesses a distinct nucleus, aligning it more closely with plant and animal cells.
When conditions are optimal, slime molds exist as solitary cells. However, when faced with challenges such as food shortages, they unite to form a vibrant yellow colony reminiscent of scrambled eggs, which then actively seeks out and consumes bacteria, molds, decaying leaves, and other organic matter. In captivity, they favor oat flakes and shy away from salty substances.
The first video, "720 sexes and no limbs: Mysterious 'blob' creature comes to Paris Zoo," delves into the blob's extraordinary features and its upcoming display at the zoo.
The second video, "Meet the blob!" introduces viewers to this fascinating organism and its unique characteristics.
As for the blob's 720 sexes, understanding its mating compatibility may be perplexing. Slime molds can only exchange genetic material if they possess compatible mitochondrial genes known as matA, matB, and matC, each having multiple variations. Thus, these organisms likely have intricate social interactions.
The blob will be publicly exhibited starting Saturday, October 19, at the Paris Zoological Park, part of the Paris Museum of Natural History.