Vinegar eels facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vinegar eels |
|
|---|---|
_041_Verdorbener_Essig_mit_Essig%C3%A4len.png) |
|
| Illustration of vinegar eels | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Turbatrix
|
| Species: |
aceti
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
Turbatrix aceti are tiny, free-living worms often called vinegar eels. They are a type of nematode, which is a roundworm. These little creatures love to eat a special mix of microbes called mother of vinegar. This "mother" is what helps make vinegar. You might find vinegar eels in vinegar that hasn't been filtered.
A scientist named Pierre Borel first discovered these tiny worms way back in 1656.
Contents
What Makes Vinegar Eels Special?
Vinegar eels can live in many different kinds of liquids. They are very good at handling changes in how acidic or alkaline (basic) a liquid is. They can survive in a wider range of pH levels than almost any other creature. This means they can live in very sour liquids (like vinegar) or even slightly soapy ones.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
These amazing worms can have many babies. A single vinegar eel can give birth to up to 45 tiny babies. This happens every 8 to 10 days. They are born live, not from eggs.
How People Use Vinegar Eels
Vinegar eels are often used as a live food for very young fish, called fry. They are a good source of nutrition for these baby fish. Another similar tiny worm used for this is called a microworm.
Are They Harmful?
Even though they live in food, vinegar eels are not harmful to humans. They are not parasitic, meaning they don't live inside other living things to hurt them. However, in places like the United States, it's not allowed to sell vinegar with these eels in it.
To make sure vinegar is clean for people to buy, companies usually filter it. They also pasteurize it, which means heating it to kill any living things. This process removes the bacteria and yeast that vinegar eels need to eat.
How They Move Together
When many vinegar eels are close together, they move in a special way. They wiggle their bodies at the same time. This creates a cool, wavy pattern that moves through the group.
How Vinegar Eels Help Science
Scientists sometimes study T. aceti to learn about ageing. They want to understand why living things get older. One idea is called the "DNA damage theory of aging."
Studying Aging with Vinegar Eels
Our bodies have DNA, which is like a instruction manual. Over time, DNA can get damaged. Our bodies try to fix this damage. Scientists found that in older vinegar eels, their bodies are not as good at fixing DNA damage. This means more damage builds up as they get older.
When DNA damage builds up, it can make it harder for genes to work properly. This research suggests that a big part of aging might be our bodies getting worse at repairing DNA.
See also
In Spanish: Gusano del vinagre para niños
