A tomato that changes gender throughout its life
People and animals, as well as sexual characteristics. The plant also has specific characteristics by which males can be conventionally distinguished from females. This phenomenon has not been observed before in the field of plants if science knew that species such as cuttlefish, some species of snakes, spotted hyenas, bellfishes and other marine life change sex.
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Revolutionary research
However, recently in Pennsylvania, USA, scientists discovered that there is a variety of tomato called the Dungeness bush tomato. For a long time it was the subject of controversy. Some scientists believed that the tomato is feminine, others — masculine. Why has there been such passionate controversy surrounding this plant?
In fact, the plant has the ability to change or combine sexual characteristics. In science, it was officially called “sexually variable.” In the 1970s, this statement completely shocked botanists around the world. Then they spoke for the first time about changes on the floor of the Australian outback. DNA analysis showed that this is a special species with an “undifferentiated” bottom.
It received the Latin name Solanum Plastisexum. which translates to plastic or variable flooring. The characteristics that define it as a new species are described in the journal Phytokeys.
Difference between the fruit and other plants
It is known that 85% of the world”s plants (50, 000 species) have “bisexual” colors. This means that each flower has both male and female reproductive organs. In other plants it is either a sexual flower or the entire plant. For example, cannabis. However, all of them (being one or two sexes at the same time) continue to change in terms of gender.
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However, this plant, which is a direct parental relative of the eggplant, can change sex several times during its life. Tomatoes look like this There is only one stem that blooms purple. As a result, a yellow fruit grows in its place. The height of the stem reaches 80 cm.
Features of gender reassignment
Among those responsible for this interesting research were Chris Martin and his colleagues from the University of Bakuner. Martin states. “This type of plant adheres to basic and predictable sexual expression.”
In other words, even if a plant changes its sexual characteristics, it still adheres to the male or female principle. Change is like an intermediate link. Moreover, by studying tomatoes at the beginning of their life, further modifications can be traced in advance.
Tomato for the winter (thick and tasty): homemade recipe
He also added that it is also recognized that this plant is the epitome of sexual variability present in the plant kingdom. Almost every conceivable species of reproductive form is present here.
In a sense, S. plastisexum is not simply a model for the various sexual/reproductive forms observed among plants. It also suggests that attempts to recognize “normative” genders among the planet”s creatures are problematic.
The universal significance of the study
You might think that this is not such a revolutionary discovery. And if this article is useful, it is only for botanists and breeders. But no. This is truly groundbreaking research. The fact is that previously there was a clear distinction between the sexual characteristics of plants, animals and people.
It has always been argued that sexual diversity can only be divided into two varieties: male or female. These forms were diametrically opposed to each other and were not related to each other. Today this clear distinction is gradually disappearing.
As a result of evolution, male and female sexual characteristics will disappear. Perhaps in a few thousand years people will be able to change gender in their lives?
