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[The Science of Aging: From Whale Earwax to Immortal Jellyfish]-[Two Whats?! And A Wow! - What's in an Age?]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2021-04-09

Preschool Enlightenment
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📋 Summary

Exploring the Science of Aging

In this episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz dive into the fascinating biological mechanisms of aging across different species. Through their signature game show, "Two Whats and a Wow," they explore how scientists determine the age of various creatures, moving from the microscopic to the monumental.

Determining Age in the Animal Kingdom

The central challenge of the episode focused on how researchers identify the age of animals. The hosts presented three scientific possibilities to their audience:

  1. Whale Earwax: The "true wow" of the episode. Marine biologists have discovered that blue whales accumulate a new layer of earwax every six months. By counting these layers, scientists can accurately determine a whale's age, much like reading the rings of a tree.
  2. Alligator Skeletal Analysis: While the hosts jokingly suggested that an alligator's age could be determined by its "poop," they clarified that the accurate method involves examining the animal's skeleton.
  3. The Case of the Naked Mole Rat: Contrary to the myth that they grow rings on their bellies as they age, the hosts explained that naked mole rats do not follow this pattern. However, they noted that clams do grow rings, which is how scientists discovered that "Ming the clam" lived to be 507 years old.

The Mystery of Biological Aging

The episode also highlighted the "immortal jellyfish" (Turritopsis dohrnii), a creature that defies standard aging processes. Mindy describes this sea creature as having the unique ability to "age in reverse." If the jellyfish becomes injured or sick, it can revert to its "baby polyp state" and restart its life cycle, effectively granting it an "endless lifetime guarantee."

Operation Timber: A Citizen Science Challenge

To encourage listeners to apply these scientific concepts in their own lives, the hosts introduced "Operation Timber." This challenge invites children to find fallen or cut-down trees and count the rings visible on the stump. Because each ring represents a "complete season cycle" or one year of the tree’s life, it serves as a practical, hands-on way for "Wowzers" to understand biological history and the passage of time.

Conclusion

The episode masterfully blends humor with educational insights, demonstrating that science is not just about textbooks, but about observing the natural world—whether it is examining "pearly whites" to learn about human ancestors or studying the earwax of a blue whale. By simplifying complex biological markers, the show empowers young listeners to view the world with a sense of curiosity and wonder.

🎯Key Sentences

1
That's right, we are throwing another listening party.
2
That's it.
3
But for now, let's get on with the show.
4
But you already know how old I am.
5
My what?
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📝Key Phrases

1
music to your ears
2
get on with the show
3
step right up
4
get down to business
5
look good for your age
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📖 Transcript

Grownups, Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Wow in the World early and ad-free right now.
Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.
Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.
And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,
And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.
Oh, but that's not all, Reg.

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