Greenland sharks grow at the rate of a snail ( 1 centimetre per yearTechnically, they can live forever, but at least they live forever compared to a human lifespan. Arctic sharks can live for centuries, with 16-foot specimens reaching Identified in 2016 It is believed to be at least 272 years old. This data makes the Old Soul the longest-lived vertebrate animal known to science.
The reason for the Greenland shark’s long lifespan is unclear, but Live ScienceA recent study presented at the Society for Experimental Biology meeting in July 2024 suggests that animal metabolism may hold clues.
In a nutshell, metabolism It is the process by which enzymes convert nutrients into energy that can be used to build and repair tissue. Slows with age In most organisms, energy production is reduced, cellular renewal and repair is hindered, and cellular waste products are not efficiently eliminated.
From a metabolic standpoint, the Greenland shark is different from other species. Study authors They took tissue samples from 23 sharks and tested different enzymes from each to calculate their metabolic rate and response to different temperatures. They then measured the sharks’ bodies to determine their ages, finding that their lifespans range from 60 to 200 years. No differences in enzyme function were found between sharks of different ages, suggesting that they are not aging in the same way as most species. The study also suggests that the metabolism of Greenland sharks does not slow down over time, which likely contributes to their longevity.
Researchers would agree that calculating the age of a shark is not easy. They usually band To measure a shark’s lifespan, you need to measure its vertebrae. But Greenland sharks are more complicated because their vertebrae are too soft to form bone bands. Scientists have had to get creative to measure their age. In 2016, experts learned they could estimate the Greenland shark’s lifespan. Radiocarbon datingThe process measures carbon-14, a radioactive carbon substance present in all living organisms, from the marine creature’s eyes. Historical events that caused a spike in carbon-14 levels, such as the increase in nuclear testing after World War II, can help researchers estimate the Greenland shark’s age. Experts have also found that the Greenland shark’s age can be roughly estimated by examining its eyes. height.
There is currently no way to determine a shark’s exact age, but scientists are working to improve their research methods.
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