Frogs in Standby mode
Australian frog Cyclorana alboguttata survive for months without food and water.
In the course of evolution many animals have developed their own methods of survival in harsh living conditions. For example, in winter when food becomes quite small, some animals hibernates. Thus metabolism in their body occurs more slowly. Thus, the animals live cold winter months without food.
In the Australian frog species Cyclorana alboguttata has different style of life: it spends all year in original to «summer hibernation». Immediately after the rainy season they burrow into the mud and sat there motionlessly to conserve energy and wait for the end of the drought.
These animals (in the length of a few centimeters) can sit in the mud about ten months in anticipation of the next rainy season. If rain had not started, the frogs may be under the ground for several years, saving energy.
Scientists have long been interested in the ability Cyclorana alboguttata to such record savings of energy. How these amphibians are able to reduce the metabolism so that the energy saved is enough for a few years?
In Australia, Queensland researchers compared the metabolism of frogs in a state of hibernation and from their relatives kept vigil. The study gave a surprising result: contrary to all assumptions, during hibernation, mitochondria of frogs (special cells that store energy) are working at full capacity. During sleep, the cells are changing metabolic processes and thanks to the high activity of mitochondrial nutrient in the body are used most effectively. In other animal metabolism during hibernation is not very different from the period of wakefulness. No other animal species not yet established such as energy conservation of Australian frogs. But why other animals do not enjoy the same strategy?
Results of researches explained many metabolic processes in cells. It is possible that one day they will help in the treatment of diseases associated with metabolic disorders, such as obesity.