( How long can you hold your breath? Scie...)Don't hold your breath: Carp can manage without oxygen for months

How long can you hold your breath? Scientists at the University of Oslo have recently discovered how the Crucian Carp, a close relative of the goldfish, is able to live for months without oxygen. The researchers hope that understanding how some animals cope with a lack of oxygen might give clues as to how to solve this problem in humans.

"Anoxia related diseases are the major causes of death in the industrialized world. We have here a situation where evolution has solved the problem of anoxic survival millions of years ago, something that medical science has struggled with for decades with limited success", says Professor Göran Nilsson who will be presenting his latest results at the Annual Meeting for the Society for Experimental Biology on Friday 7th April [session A9].

The researchers have found that this extraordinary fish can change the structure of its gills to avoid becoming anoxic. In addition its blood has a much higher affinity for oxygen than any other vertebrate, and it makes tranquilizers and produces alcohol when oxygen supplies are limited. These mechanisms allow the fish to survive for days or even months without oxygen depending on the temperature, whilst still maintaining physical activity.

'"/>

Source:Society for Experimental Biology


Page: 1
Related biology news :

1. Making Sure Sacred Sheep Dont Become Extinct
2. GeneNotes - A novel information management software for biologists
3. Study of energy and health in Africa focuses spotlight on charcoal and forest management
4. Energy management in cells may hold key to cancer defense
5. Water management in cells
6. Aquatic plants may hold key to advancing plant disease management
7. Saharas edge studied from ground, air and space to improve water management
8. Plants, too, have ways to manage freeloaders
9. African wetland managers armed with new technology
10. How to manage forests in hurricane impact zones
11. How trees manage water in arid environments