Zoologia

O campo enfrenta desafios sem precedentes no século XXI.

Morphology studies the form and structure of animals. It includes: zoologia

A zoologia é o ramo da biologia dedicado ao estudo científico dos animais. Do microscópico plâncton às gigantescas baleias-azuis, essa ciência busca entender como os animais funcionam, como evoluíram, como se comportam e de que maneira interagem com o ecossistema. O campo enfrenta desafios sem precedentes no século XXI

In the 1990s, biologist Daniel Martinez conducted a now-legendary experiment. He placed hydras in a lab environment, eliminating predators and ensuring perfect nutrition. For four years—a human lifetime for these creatures—he watched them. They did not weaken. Their reproductive rate did not decline. Their cells did not show the usual signs of wear and tear, like telomere shortening (the "caps" on our chromosomes that fray as we age). In fact, statistical models suggested that under ideal conditions, a hydra has a constant, low probability of death—meaning it does not die of old age. It could, theoretically, live forever. For four years—a human lifetime for these creatures—he