"Single-Celled Giant Algae: Masters of Time Perception"
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology have discovered that giant algae, such as Caulerpa brachypus, which are composed of just one cell, possess a clever way of knowing the time. Despite lacking dividing structures, these algae are able to organize themselves into organ-like structures and grow. The researchers found that the algae's growth and development are influenced by a circadian clock, allowing them to predict changes in light conditions and adjust their chlorophyll activity accordingly. This internal clock enables the algae to determine when and where to grow, without the need for individual cells.