Kathmandu. Which came first – chicken or egg? Scientists have finally found the answer to a centuries-old mystery.
According to an old but popular study conducted by scientists at the Universities of Sheffield and Warwick in the UK, the chicken came first. The reason is a special protein called ovoclidin-17 (OC-17) found in the eggshell. It is produced only in the body of the chicken.
How does this protein prove that the chicken came first?
Chicken eggs form crystals from calcium carbonate to form a strong shell. OC-17, the protein that accelerates the crystal formation process, is produced only in the ovaries of chickens. Without this protein, a modern chicken egg cannot be made.
Scientists studied using supercomputers. OC-17 protein rapidly converts calcium into crystals. And within 24-26 hours, it creates a strong shell.
Dr Colin Freeman, from the University of Sheffield, said: “It was long suspected that eggs came first, but now there is scientific evidence that the chicken came first. This means that the first real chicken lays the first real egg. Because it contained OC-17 protein. ’
What do scientists say from an evolutionary point of view?
However, according to the theory of evolution, eggs have existed for a long time. Dinosaurs and other birds laid eggs millions of years ago. The chicken gradually evolved from a wild bird (red wildflower).
Once upon a time, the union of two nearby chicken-like birds caused a genetic mutation. This created the first real chicken egg. The first chicken hatched from the egg. So in the case of the normal egg, the egg came first, but in the case of the typical chicken egg, the chicken came first.
Why is this search important?
This research was done not only to solve the mystery but also to understand the process of eggshell formation. The OC-17 protein allows chickens to lay strong eggs so quickly. This can lead to new discoveries in the development of a strong substance or drug.
This explains the old debate scientifically. Now, when someone asks, “Did the chicken come first or the egg?” ’
