The great white shark's genome finally decoded
NEW YORK — A research team mapped the great white shark's genome and found the keys to many of its special adaptations, according to CNET.
Great white sharks are known for their beady black eyes and sharp rows of teeth, but there's more to sharks than just their jaws.
Turns out sharks are made of a pretty outstanding genome.
The great white shark's genome contains large amounts of information. They have 41 pairs of chromosomes while humans only have 23.
The results of a study carried out by a team of researchers examining the great white's genome were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
These showed that a set of genes involved in wound healing and another set involved with blood clotting had evolved significantly among sharks, allowing them to recover from injuries much faster than other organisms.
Findings also showed that great whites have genetic adaptations that help them preserve a stable genome. The same genes that are involved in genome stability also have the ability to fight cancer.
People have taken the whole 'sharks have cancer-fighting genes' a bit too seriously though. Demand for shark fin soup is also pushing the species to extinction. According to One Green Planet, roughly 100 million sharks are killed for their fins every year.
Great white sharks are known for their beady black eyes and sharp rows of teeth, but there's more to sharks than just their jaws.
Turns out sharks are made of a pretty outstanding genome.
The great white shark's genome contains large amounts of information. They have 41 pairs of chromosomes while humans only have 23.
The results of a study carried out by a team of researchers examining the great white's genome were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
These showed that a set of genes involved in wound healing and another set involved with blood clotting had evolved significantly among sharks, allowing them to recover from injuries much faster than other organisms.
Findings also showed that great whites have genetic adaptations that help them preserve a stable genome. The same genes that are involved in genome stability also have the ability to fight cancer.
People have taken the whole 'sharks have cancer-fighting genes' a bit too seriously though. Demand for shark fin soup is also pushing the species to extinction. According to One Green Planet, roughly 100 million sharks are killed for their fins every year.