Chapter
Secrets of Sea Slugs
06:10 - 10:52 (04:41)
Sea slugs, such as the emerald and lettuce sea slug, are able to photosynthesize after consuming algae and incorporating their chloroplasts. These slugs have a special tooth to extract the contents of the algae, and can be found in tropical coral reefs.
Clips
The speaker explains how some groups of snails have lost or reduced their shells over the course of evolution to become sea slugs, and shares their personal interest in studying these creatures.
06:10 - 07:54 (01:43)
Summary
The speaker explains how some groups of snails have lost or reduced their shells over the course of evolution to become sea slugs, and shares their personal interest in studying these creatures.
ChapterSecrets of Sea Slugs
EpisodeThe fantastically weird world of photosynthetic sea slugs | Michael Middlebrooks
PodcastTED Talks Daily
Sea slugs are incredibly opportunistic creatures that can evolve and adapt to mimic their surroundings or even absorb photosynthesis for themselves, by tricking neighbouring cells into becoming solar panels to power their bodies.
07:54 - 09:26 (01:32)
Summary
Sea slugs are incredibly opportunistic creatures that can evolve and adapt to mimic their surroundings or even absorb photosynthesis for themselves, by tricking neighbouring cells into becoming solar panels to power their bodies.
ChapterSecrets of Sea Slugs
EpisodeThe fantastically weird world of photosynthetic sea slugs | Michael Middlebrooks
PodcastTED Talks Daily
Researchers have discovered sea slugs, like the emerald sea slug and the lettuce sea slug, that can photosynthesize in their adult life cycle using chloroplasts from the algae they consume, allowing them to survive for extended periods without further nourishment.
09:26 - 10:52 (01:26)
Summary
Researchers have discovered sea slugs, like the emerald sea slug and the lettuce sea slug, that can photosynthesize in their adult life cycle using chloroplasts from the algae they consume, allowing them to survive for extended periods without further nourishment.