What are the functions of fish scales?
Fish are one of the oldest vertebrates on earth. The scales on their body surfaces are not only beautiful, but also serve a variety of important biological functions. In recent years, with the deepening of scientific research, people's understanding of fish scales has become more and more comprehensive. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to explore the role of fish scales and their applications in bionics, medicine and other fields.
1. Basic structure of fish scales
Fish scales are part of fish skin, mainly composed of cuticle and dermis. Depending on their shape and structure, fish scales can be divided into the following categories:
| Scale type | Features | Common fish |
|---|---|---|
| shield scale | Smooth surface, shield-shaped | Sharks, rays |
| hard scales | Hard and heavy, diamond-shaped | sturgeon, gar |
| round scales | Thin and soft with smooth edges | carp, crucian carp |
| comb scale | jagged edges | seabass, salmon |
2. Main functions of fish scales
1.protective effect: Fish scales are the first line of defense of the fish body, able to resist external physical damage, parasites and pathogens. For example, sharks' shield scales are extremely impact-resistant and can effectively reduce bite damage from predators.
2.Reduce water flow resistance: The arrangement of fish scales helps reduce water resistance during swimming and improves swimming efficiency. Scientists have discovered that some fish have microscopic grooves on the surface of their scales that reduce turbulence, a finding that has been used in the design of swimsuits and boats.
3.Regulate osmotic pressure: Fish scales can help fish maintain the balance of water inside and outside the body, especially in freshwater fish and saltwater fish. The mucus layer on the surface of the scales prevents excessive water loss or penetration.
4.Disguise and communication: Many fish have scales that reflect light or change color, helping them blend into their environment or communicate with their own species. For example, tropical fish have colorful scales that are often used to court mates or to intimidate rivals.
3. Application of fish scales in bionics and medicine
In recent years, the unique structure of fish scales has attracted widespread attention from the scientific community. The following are the latest applications of fish scales in multiple fields:
| Application areas | Specific cases | Research progress |
|---|---|---|
| bionic materials | Body armor design | Mimicking the shingled structure of shark scales to improve impact resistance |
| medical dressing | wound healing | Collagen extracted from fish scales promotes skin regeneration |
| Environmentally friendly materials | Biodegradable plastic | Hydroxyapatite in fish scales can be used to make eco-friendly packaging |
4. Hot topics on the Internet: The controversy and future of fish scales
1.Ethical issues in fish scale extraction: With the widespread use of fish scales in cosmetics and health products, some environmental groups have called attention to the ecological impact of overfishing.
2.Breakthrough in synthetic fish scales: Scientists are trying to replicate the microstructure of fish scales through 3D printing technology to reduce dependence on natural resources.
3.Fish scales and climate change: Research has found that the growth patterns of the scales of certain fish can reflect changes in ocean temperature, becoming a "natural recorder" for studying climate change.
5. Conclusion
Fish scales are not only an important tool for fish survival, but also provide inspiration for the development of human science and technology. In the future, with the deepening of research, the application fields of fish scales will be further expanded. Protecting fish resources and rationally utilizing the value of fish scales will become an important issue that pays equal attention to science and environmental protection.
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