#nematodeworms

 
Nematode Worms Sacrifice Themselves to Produce Milk for their YoungHaving children can change a person. People who suddenly become parents usually turn into selfless people and sacrifice their lives for the sake of their children. But the act of self-sacrifice is not exclusive to us. Animals also have this characteristic, like these nematode worms.Nematode Worms Caenorhabditis elegans sacrifice themselves to produce milk for their young. For these worms, lactating is a form of reproductive suicide where the worm mother sacrifices themselves to support the next generation. This one-millimeter-long transparent roundworm has both male and female reproductive organs. When they can't reproduce anymore, they melt out their own tissues in order to transfer resources to their offspring. This process helps the species maximize their evolutionary fitness. Learn more about the discovery over at UCL News.Image: Dr Carina Kern#NematodeWorms #Lactation
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