Trichoplax

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Legend. Image credit: Name or Publication.

Classification

Domain - Eukarya; Phylum - Placozoa; family - Trichoplacidae;

Species

NCBI: [1]

Genus species: Trichoplax Adhaerens

Description and Significance

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.

Genome Structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

Trichoplax's genome is "the smallest genome of any animal yet measured" (Genome.gov). it consists of six chromosomes and 11,584 genes.

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.

If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Author

Page authored by Mark Peck II, student of Dr. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.