The immortal jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii) is the only known animal capable of repeatedly reversing its life cycle. When threatened by stress, injury, or starvation, the adult jellyfish shrinks, settles on the seafloor as a cyst, and morphs back into a juvenile polyp to begin its life anew.
This fascinating phenomenon relies on a cellular process called transdifferentiation, where the adult's specialized cells are completely reprogrammed into entirely different cell types to rebuild a new body. Because this cycle can repeat indefinitely, the jellyfish is considered biologically immortal. However, it is not invincible; it can still be eaten by predators or killed by disease.
#ImmortalJellyfish
#MarineBiology
#ScienceIsCool
