Quck answer
Naked mole rats have a unique ability to survive without oxygen for up to 18 minutes. Scientists have discovered that they do this by switching their metabolism from glucose to fructose, which allows them to enter a state similar to hibernation. During this time, their cells produce ATP through a process known as anaerobic glycolysis, which is similar to the process used by plants to produce energy. This allows them to survive in low-oxygen environments, such as underground tunnels, where they spend most of their lives. Researchers are studying this ability in hopes of developing new treatments for oxygen-deprived organs in humans.
Wild Animals
Recent research has discovered that naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber) have a unique ability to survive in low-oxygen environments without any negative effects. This sets them apart from other mammals. Meghan Murphy/Smithsonians National Zoo
Discovering interesting facts about animals can be like reading a gossip magazine about evolution. It’s exciting to learn that a star-nosed mole can smell underwater by blowing bubbles and then sucking them back through its nose. Or that a sea otter’s hair has the approximate surface area of a hockey rink. However, not all animal facts are created equal. The naked mole rat is a prime example of a fascinating creature that stands out.
Although this subterranean African mammal looks like a hairless mole crossed with a hairless rat crossed with the chest-bursting creature from “Alien,” it is the longest-living rodent and cold-blooded. It is immune to cancer, practically impervious to most types of pain, and shows very few signs of aging during its life. They are eusocial, similar to some insects, meaning a queen takes on all the reproductive responsibilities for the group, while other females are sterile and have jobs like finding food and fending off predators. Additionally, they can survive for long periods without oxygen by essentially turning into plants.
It was discovered in a recent study published in the journal Science that naked mole rats can switch from using glucose to power their bodies to fructose like a plant does. In normal, oxygen-rich environments, the naked mole rat runs its cells on glucose like every other mammal. However, in the absence of oxygen, it switches to using fructose. Scientists have known for a while that naked mole rats have evolved to withstand low-oxygen situations, but until now, the extent to which they can abstain from breathing air was unknown. This team of international researchers discovered that the little animals can survive for five or more hours in extremely low-oxygen environments and for up to 18 minutes with no oxygen at all.
The researchers put both naked mole rats and mice in a chamber with no oxygen to test this. The mice died immediately, but the naked mole rats quickly lost consciousness and their heartbeats slowed from 200 to 50 beats per minute. However, after being reintroduced to the air 18 minutes later, they fully recovered. Although the exact process is unknown, this University of Illinois video explains the transformation:
Overall, this new discovery highlights how unique and remarkable naked mole rats truly are.
In a press release, Thomas Park, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago, stated that the naked mole-rat has modified its metabolism to become highly tolerant to low oxygen conditions. While other mammals can metabolize fructose without oxygen, it is limited to certain parts of their bodies whereas naked mole rats have emergency fructose services in all their organs, including their brain and heart, making them unique in the animal kingdom. Additionally, a single queen naked mole rat can live up to 30 years and give birth to 900 offspring in her lifetime. This is truly amazing!
FAQ
1. What are naked mole rats?
Naked mole rats are small, hairless rodents that live in underground colonies in East Africa. They are known for their unusual physical characteristics and behaviors, including their ability to survive in low-oxygen environments.
2. How do naked mole rats survive without oxygen?
Naked mole rats are able to survive for long periods of time without oxygen by going into a state of suspended animation. During this time, they are able to slow down their metabolism and other bodily functions, which allows them to conserve energy and survive without oxygen.
3. How do naked mole rats turn into plants?
Naked mole rats do not actually turn into plants, but they are able to survive without oxygen by using a process called anaerobic respiration. This process allows them to convert glucose into energy without using oxygen, similar to how plants produce energy through photosynthesis.
4. Why do naked mole rats need to survive without oxygen?
Naked mole rats live in underground burrows where oxygen levels can be very low. By being able to survive without oxygen for extended periods of time, they are able to adapt to their environment and survive in conditions that would be difficult or impossible for other animals.
5. Can humans learn anything from the naked mole rat’s ability to survive without oxygen?
Researchers are studying the naked mole rat’s ability to survive without oxygen in order to better understand how it works and how it might be applied to human medicine. For example, scientists are looking at ways to use the naked mole rat’s anaerobic respiration process to help treat heart attack and stroke victims.
6. How long can naked mole rats survive without oxygen?
Naked mole rats are able to survive for up to 18 minutes without oxygen, which is much longer than most other mammals. However, this ability does have its limits, and prolonged exposure to low-oxygen environments can still be harmful to the animals.
7. How do naked mole rats breathe when they are in low-oxygen environments?
Naked mole rats are able to slow down their breathing and heart rate when they are in low-oxygen environments in order to conserve energy. They are also able to use their lungs more efficiently, which helps them extract more oxygen from the air that they do breathe.
8. Are naked mole rats the only animals that can survive without oxygen?
No, there are other animals that are able to survive for short periods of time without oxygen, including some fish and turtles. However, naked mole rats are unique in their ability to survive for extended periods of time without oxygen.
9. Do naked mole rats have any other unusual abilities?
Yes, naked mole rats are also known for their resistance to cancer and their ability to live for up to 30 years, which is much longer than other rodents of their size. They are also able to tolerate high levels of carbon dioxide, which can be deadly to other animals.
10. Are naked mole rats endangered?
No, naked mole rats are not currently considered endangered, but their habitat is under threat due to human activity. They are also sometimes kept in captivity for scientific research and as exotic pets, which can put additional pressure on wild populations.
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