Phytoplankton Inflate for Unique Ocean Travel

Researchers discover Pyrocystis noctiluca can balloon to six times its size, enabling vertical migration in the ocean.

Pyrocystis noctiluca, a bioluminescent phytoplankton, inflates to six times its size to navigate ocean depths.
This inflation allows the plankton to rise up to 200 meters towards the ocean surface to access sunlight for photosynthesis.
The process is part of the plankton's cell cycle, where division and inflation occur naturally over seven days.
Researchers used a 'gravity machine' to simulate ocean conditions and observed how density changes facilitate this movement.
The study suggests this mechanism reduces predation risk and enhances nutrient uptake and photosynthesis.