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Even the 'identical twins' are not 100% genetically identical[0] and they can't 'fuse' with each other like these fungi are and can. Humans also can't asexually
by FRex 9y ago
Even the 'identical twins' are not 100% genetically identical[0] and they can't 'fuse' with each other like these fungi are and can. Humans also can't asexually produce more of their own clones to cooperate with while these fungi apparently can do both asexual and sexual reproduction with asexual one being more common. Even if we could then our clones have their own central nervous system and aren't enslaved by their genes to do the same as us and 'fuse' and cooperate with us.
On the other hand, common bananas are sterile clones[1] but they are more 'separate' from each other and not 'fused' in any way (I guess? I have no idea) then these bunches of fungus... But we are all over the Biological Kingdoms (Animalia, Fungi, Plantae), methods of reproduction, human intervention, 'fusing' and so on by now.
I'm not a biologist but I had very high level biology class with a really good (and demanding..) retired biologist as the teacher and I still remember how WTF this all gets (the entire Protista Kingdom which is just a bag of stuff that doesn't fit elsewhere and varies a lot internally, the pseudo-life of viruses, the scyphozoan jellyfish life cycle, concept of biological immortality, etc.). Pluto planet debacle is nothing and a 100% clear cut case with 0 controversy in comparison to this.
[0] - https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/identical-twins-genes-are-not-identical/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/identical-twins-g...
[1] - https://piecubed.co.uk/bananas-facts/ https://piecubed.co.uk/bananas-facts/
- crazygringo 9y agoThanks! That was really informative and helpful.