Fossa
Junior Member
Posts: 77 
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Post by Fossa on Jun 29, 2013 22:08:13 GMT
I saw this story a few days ago on the University of Liverpool website, but I think this is more readable  . Scientists have discovered how marine mammals can store enough oxygen to hold their breath and dive for prolonged periods. The research shows that deep-divers, such as whales and seals, have myoglobin (the oxygen-storing protein found in muscles) with special 'non-stick' properties - meaning they can pack loads of these proteins in there muscles and hence store a lot of oxygen. This may seem like a rather minor and obscure discovery - however, the researchers have been able to examine myoglobin structure in land-based, semi-aquatic and specialised diving species, and see the physiological changes that accompanied the land to water transition of mammals. They have also been able to estimate the dive times of the ancestors of today's diving species.  www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22853482 |
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Post by Admin on Jun 29, 2013 22:23:01 GMT
I read a similar article just the other day, my left-handed friend. I thought it was going to be a little too technical for the other site, though!  I never knew that muscle tissue in some of these animals could be practically black in colour, I must say. Which surprised me, a little. Great post! (I prefer swimming underwater to trying to stay afloat. In the worst case scenario, where I had to cover some considerable distance in deep water, unexpectedly, I'd fancy my survival chances swimming like a male mermaid more than trying to emulate a hovercraft!  ). |
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Post by cabbage on Jul 2, 2013 2:51:07 GMT
I saw this story a few days ago on the University of Liverpool website, but I think this is more readable . Scientists have discovered how marine mammals can store enough oxygen to hold their breath and dive for prolonged periods. The research shows that deep-divers, such as whales and seals, have myoglobin (the oxygen-storing protein found in muscles) with special 'non-stick' properties - meaning they can pack loads of these proteins in there muscles and hence store a lot of oxygen. This may seem like a rather minor and obscure discovery - however, the researchers have been able to examine myoglobin structure in land-based, semi-aquatic and specialised diving species, and see the physiological changes that accompanied the land to water transition of mammals. They have also been able to estimate the dive times of the ancestors of today's diving species. www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22853482Great post I studied something along these lines in an OU course a wee while ago, some of the adaptations deep diving mammals have are just amazing |
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. Scientists have discovered how marine mammals can store enough oxygen to hold their breath and dive for prolonged periods. The research shows that deep-divers, such as whales and seals, have myoglobin (the oxygen-storing protein found in muscles) with special 'non-stick' properties - meaning they can pack loads of these proteins in there muscles and hence store a lot of oxygen. 
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