Chimera organisms : most fascinating biological phenomena in both natural science and modern research
Chimera organisms are some of nature’s most fascinating biological phenomena and have become important subjects in both natural science and modern research. A chimera is an organism made up of cells that come from two or more genetically different sources. These distinct genetic contributions often arise from different fertilized eggs, creating a unique being with a mixture of cell types. This concept bridges the gap between myth and science, as the term "chimera" originally comes from Greek mythology describing a creature made from parts of different animals. In biological terms, chimera organisms are distinct from genetic mosaics, which also contain cells of different genotypes but originate from a single fertilized egg through mutation. Chimerism occurs naturally in various species and can also be created artificially for scientific purposes. In animals, chimeras arise when embryos fuse early in development, resulting in individuals whose tissues harbor cells f...