Although it may sound like a sensationalized headline, this tiny pond dwelling creature known as the hydra may very well have achieved immortality. Provided the animal is not deprived of life sustaining water or other important nutrients, hydras have the capability of repairing what would be irreparable damage in other species. If fact, they seemingly live forever due to a key difference in their anatomy. Unlike human beings and other animals, most hydra cells are unspecialized. Instead of cells for skin, bone, hair, etc., these cells exist in an embryonic-like state. After a few weeks of living, virtually every cell in their bodies is replenished with new cells as the old cells flake off given the hydra increased vigor like it has just been born. See the NPR YouTube video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRNVc2xC2O0
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