What may be earth’s smallest living organism was also recently found under the sea, although in this case three miles [5 km] under the seabed! A report in The New York Times describes the discovery, made off Western Australia, as “so bizarre as to have touched off hot international debate.” The main point at issue is whether or not the entities—called nanobes because their size is measured in nanometers, or billionths of a meter—are living organisms. They resemble fungi, are roughly the same size as viruses, have DNA, and seem to reproduce quickly, forming dense colonies.

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Nanobes

Are they earth’s smallest form of life?

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Dr. Philippa J. R. Uwins/University of Queensland