Researchers have revealed that marine microalgae have a surprising mechanism for finding their way to the depths, revealing important keys to understanding their adaptation to the environment.
The oceans, vast reservoirs of life and key regulators of climate, are home to tiny but essential organisms: microalgae. Among them, diatoms – unicellular algae with a siliceous skeleton – play an important role in marine ecosystems. They play a fundamental role in the cycle of life by producing a large proportion of oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide, thus helping to regulate our climate. However, the mechanisms controlling their distribution in the oceans are poorly understood.
A team of researchers from CNRS and the Sorbonne University made a surprising discovery: diatoms use The eyesThe eyes » Hidden, so called. PhytochromePhytochromewhich allows them to find their way in the darkness of the seas. The study was published in the journal The nature18 December 2024.
Light sensors in the DNA of diatoms
Phytochromes are ProteinProtein Many people have photosensitivity. SpeciesSpeciesfrom plants to microalgae. This SensorSensor Allows organisms to sense variations in light at different depths, determine their vertical position, and thus adapt their behavior to these changes. the lightthe light.
Thanks to research conducted in the field, especially during the sea expeditions of the Tara Ocean Program, the scientific team observed that only diatoms from regions beyond the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn contain these phytochromes. These areas, characterized by the weatherthe weather Significant and significant variations in light throughout the day, suggest that these microalgae use phytochrome to measure the passage of time in the seasons, and adjust their biological activity, especially their PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis. This allows them to improve their growth and development even in difficult situations.
A breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms of the underwater world
Researchers are calling for more integrated research in the laboratory and natural environments to better understand the ability of marine organisms to adapt to environmental changes. Because understanding these mechanisms during periods of climate upheaval flexibilityflexibility is necessary. By studying diatoms and their adaptive abilities, scientists hope to better understand how other marine organisms can survive and adjust to increasingly disturbed environments.
