What's the oldest living thing on the planet?

Answer 1

You get into strange definitional problems as to what is a "living thing" or "individual". In the 1970s I learned that the bristlecone pine was the oldest living organism.

But then came the problem of clones and the question of "what is an organism" Are all the genetically identical poplar trees the same organism or is each an individual?

And I am not even mentioning the mushroom problem!

Check out the URLs below and you will start to understand that the answer to your question is probably found in metaphysics not biology.

Answer 2

Bacteria are the oldest form of living organisms, but the same individual bacteria have not survived all these years, they are simply the oldest as a species. However, it would most likely be some section of rainforest or the great barrier reef which has been alive for the longest period of time without regeneration (unlike bacteria).

Answer 3

A tree...............

The oldest living Bristlecone pine is named 'Methuselah', and is 4,767 years old. Methuselah is not marked or identified, due to the threat of vandalism ... the U.S. Forest Service refuses to give its location or identity. But the trees weren't always as well protected. One even older tree was lost not long after it was discovered. In 1964, a researcher was taking core samples from some Bristlecones in Nevada, to determine their ages. When he discovered one that was well over 4,000 years old , the U.S. Forest Service gave him permission to cut the tree down!
Named 'Prometheus', the tree turned out to 4,950 years old, the oldest known living thing on the planet. It was likely the oldest tree in the world even when Shakespeare was writing plays!

A plant that may be even older is being studied by scientists in the Mojave Desert. It is thought that some creosote bushes there may actually be as old as 7,000 years!

Answer 4

it would have to be bacteria (3 billion years), because according to the theories of the evolution of life, bacteria were the simplest forms of life to develop because they do not have a nucleus, they continually multiple asexually, and are as primitive as can be. it is the model of bacteria which paved the way towards complex, multicellular living beings.

this is why astrobiologists are searching for "microbes" on other planets and moons (Mars, Ganymede) because they are the simplest forms of life and can survive in harsh (but not extreme) conditions. it may not be a true "alien" but it would be proof of life, no matter how simple.

Answer 5

A Sequoia tree

Answer 6

Actually, I have read that some strains of archaebacteria may live to be very, very old....like 10,000 year-old cells. Some of these archaebacteria can live deep in the matrix of rock and divide very slowly. They can use the chemicals in the rock to make food. I couldn't believe it myself..really weird.

Answer 7

I’m almost positive it will be Giant Tortoise from Galapagos Islands

Answer 8

the totrtoise or a tree

Answer 9

MY STEPMOTHER. SHES WAITING FOR HER BOSS TO MAKE A PERSONAL APPEARANCE WHICH HE SOON WILL AND BE IN THE FLESH UNTIL THE END OF TRIBULATIONS.


GOD BLESS

Answer 10

very small microscopic organisms such as bacteria.......