{
  "wireMagic": "pb3",
  "pens": [ {
  
  } ],
  "wsWinStyles": [ {
  
  } ],
  "wpWinPositions": [ {
  
  } ],
  "events": [ {
    "tStartMs": 7712,
    "dDurationMs": 2127,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Take a good look at this slug."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 9839,
    "dDurationMs": 2044,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "No, not that— that’s a leaf."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 12050,
    "dDurationMs": 1459,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "This slug."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 13760,
    "dDurationMs": 1376,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "There we go."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 15136,
    "dDurationMs": 3754,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Elysia chlorotica may not look like much—"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 18890,
    "dDurationMs": 2252,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "okay, it looks like a bright green leaf—"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 21142,
    "dDurationMs": 3170,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "but it’s one of the most extraordinary\ncreatures around."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 24687,
    "dDurationMs": 3670,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Living in salt marshes\nalong the east coast of North America,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 28357,
    "dDurationMs": 2920,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "it can go about a year without eating."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 31736,
    "dDurationMs": 4004,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "During that time, it lives like a plant."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 36324,
    "dDurationMs": 3920,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Generally speaking, animals are\nwhat are called heterotrophs,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 40244,
    "dDurationMs": 4922,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "meaning they can’t produce their own food—\nthey’re consumers of other life."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 45166,
    "dDurationMs": 4296,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Plants, meanwhile, are autotrophs,\nor producers:"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 49462,
    "dDurationMs": 3962,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "they can synthesize their own fuel\nfrom sunlight, CO2,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 53424,
    "dDurationMs": 2503,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "and other inorganic compounds."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 55927,
    "dDurationMs": 4004,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Plants do this by using organelles\ncalled chloroplasts,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 59931,
    "dDurationMs": 1710,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "which give them their bright colors"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 61641,
    "dDurationMs": 3378,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "and convert sunlight into food\nthrough photosynthesis."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 65478,
    "dDurationMs": 3670,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Elysia is what’s called a mixotroph:"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 69190,
    "dDurationMs": 2586,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "it can both consume food, like animals,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 71776,
    "dDurationMs": 4129,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "and produce its own \nthrough photosynthesis, like plants."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 75905,
    "dDurationMs": 3670,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "In fact, Elysia steals its ability\nto photosynthesize"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 79575,
    "dDurationMs": 3546,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "from the algae it eats \nby piercing the algal cells"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 83121,
    "dDurationMs": 3378,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "with specialized pointy teeth,\ncalled radula."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 86958,
    "dDurationMs": 3837,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "It sucks the cell empty and digests\nmost of its contents,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 90795,
    "dDurationMs": 2502,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "but the chloroplasts remain intact."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 93756,
    "dDurationMs": 4797,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "They’re incorporated into the epithelial\ncells lining Elysia’s digestive system"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 98553,
    "dDurationMs": 2252,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "that branches throughout its flat body."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 101347,
    "dDurationMs": 2836,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "This makes the slug look\neven more leaflike,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 104183,
    "dDurationMs": 2920,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "providing camouflage as well as food."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 107854,
    "dDurationMs": 2377,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "As incredible as this adaptation is,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 110231,
    "dDurationMs": 5923,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "there are more than 70 species of slug\nthat steal chloroplasts from their food."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 116154,
    "dDurationMs": 3420,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "What makes Elysia \nand a few closely related species"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 119574,
    "dDurationMs": 2627,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "in the Mediterranean and Pacific unique"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 122201,
    "dDurationMs": 2920,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "is how long they can hold \nonto chloroplasts—"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 125121,
    "dDurationMs": 3295,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "most other slugs keep them\nfor a few weeks at most."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 128708,
    "dDurationMs": 3503,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "This longevity seems to be due \nto the survival abilities"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 132211,
    "dDurationMs": 2670,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "of both plastids and slugs."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 135089,
    "dDurationMs": 3212,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Specifically, the chloroplasts\nof certain algae"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 138301,
    "dDurationMs": 3169,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "can repair their own \nlight-harvesting systems,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 141470,
    "dDurationMs": 3462,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "while most chloroplasts are thought\nto rely on their host cell"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 144932,
    "dDurationMs": 2086,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "and its genes for repairs."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 147393,
    "dDurationMs": 2961,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "This makes the chloroplasts\nable to sustain themselves"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 150354,
    "dDurationMs": 2378,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "for longer inside the slug."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 153274,
    "dDurationMs": 2878,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Meanwhile, the slug adjusts its gene\nexpression"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 156152,
    "dDurationMs": 2878,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "to improve its relationship\nwith the chloroplasts"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 159030,
    "dDurationMs": 2377,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "and removes damaged plastids"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 161407,
    "dDurationMs": 3128,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "to avoid accumulation\nof potentially damaging chemicals."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 164952,
    "dDurationMs": 4380,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Though few species can steal organelles\nfrom another species’ cell,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 169332,
    "dDurationMs": 4254,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "these slugs are far from alone\nin getting an assist from plants."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 173711,
    "dDurationMs": 2753,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Organisms as diverse as corals,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 176464,
    "dDurationMs": 5672,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "giant clams and sponges have symbiotic\nalgae living inside their cells,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 182136,
    "dDurationMs": 4129,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "supplying them with organic compounds\nthrough photosynthesis."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 186807,
    "dDurationMs": 5339,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "In turn, they supply their little helpers\nwith shelter and inorganic compounds."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 192146,
    "dDurationMs": 4171,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Some of these mixotrophs even transmit\nthe algae to their offspring."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 196734,
    "dDurationMs": 1960,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Without the aid of these algae,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 198694,
    "dDurationMs": 4672,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "filter-feeding corals, clams, and sponges \nwould not gain enough nutrition"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 203366,
    "dDurationMs": 2460,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "in the nutrient-poor tropical ocean,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 205826,
    "dDurationMs": 4338,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "and the dazzling coral reefs they build\nsimply would not exist."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 210665,
    "dDurationMs": 2669,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Mixotrophy even cuts both ways:"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 213334,
    "dDurationMs": 6089,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "an alga called Tripos furca can consume\nseveral microscopic animals a day,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 219423,
    "dDurationMs": 3212,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "allowing it to survive\nin darkness for weeks."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 222885,
    "dDurationMs": 3754,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Tripos is in turn eaten\nby other mixotrophic algae,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 226639,
    "dDurationMs": 3420,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "providing frequent opportunity\nfor exchange of organelles"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 230059,
    "dDurationMs": 1752,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "such as chloroplasts."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 232061,
    "dDurationMs": 4296,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "This seems to allow some algae\nto survive in parts of the dark ocean"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 236357,
    "dDurationMs": 1960,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "such as the Mariana Trench,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 238317,
    "dDurationMs": 3003,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "which plants otherwise wouldn't\nbe able to inhabit."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 242071,
    "dDurationMs": 3378,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "The processes by which Elysia\nbecomes photosynthetic"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 245449,
    "dDurationMs": 2878,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "and Tripos switches between feeding modes"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 248327,
    "dDurationMs": 5130,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "are reminiscent of what scientists believe\nled to the origin of all plants."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 253457,
    "dDurationMs": 3921,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Single-celled animals preyed\non cyanobacteria."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 257378,
    "dDurationMs": 5088,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Some of these tiny plants were not\ndigested and lived on in the animal cells,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 262466,
    "dDurationMs": 3796,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "eventually giving rise to chloroplasts."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 266262,
    "dDurationMs": 4671,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "But these first eukaryotic plants were\nsoon consumed by other animals,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 270933,
    "dDurationMs": 3921,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "which hijacked the precious chloroplast,\njust like Elysia."
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 275688,
    "dDurationMs": 3045,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "And following the example\nof eating and being eaten,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 278733,
    "dDurationMs": 2043,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "we’ve seen in the case of Tripos,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 280776,
    "dDurationMs": 3295,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "this chloroplast heist happened\nup to three times,"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 284071,
    "dDurationMs": 2878,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "giving rise to plastids \nwith four membranes"
    } ]
  }, {
    "tStartMs": 286949,
    "dDurationMs": 4004,
    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "and the ocean’s most productive \nplants and forests."
    } ]
  } ]
}