Engineering Biology Problems Book (2021, Obninsk Edition)

Fig. 1.14. Two notothenioid fish. Currently, notothenioid species are dominating the continental shelf
of Antarctica (50% of all species and 95% of fish biomass). For instance, Chilean sea bass is often
served in restaurants.
1.45 A mystery of chameleon. Some animals can change coloration. For instance, chameleons can
change their coloration from green-blue to bright-red and viсe versa шт a few minutes. In the past, it
was considered that the coloration changes are linked to the function of special skin cells —
chromatophores, which were able to rearrange the pigments of four colors. Nowadays, the role of
iridophores is already known. Iridophores are special cells, which contain regularly arranged
nanocrystals of guanidine and can change the spectrum of reflected light by changing the step of
guanidine lattice. [27]
SOLUTION:
The solution is under development.
[27. Teyssier, J., Saenko, S. V., Van Der Marel, D., & Milinkovitch, M. C. (2015). Photonic crystals
cause an active color change in chameleons. Nature communications, 6, 6368. Suggest the possible
reasons for regular structures of guanidine crystals in the cell, mechanisms, and limitations of color
control.]
1.46 A trap as a niche. Carnivorous plants adapted to catching and digestion of small animals,
mainly insects. This is an addition to their autotrophy (photosynthesis) with one of the forms of
heterotrophy. Take a look at a plant-trapper as a distinct ecological niche. ( © Biological seminars -
Vasiliev A.A. Course “Quantitative biology” MIPT)
SOLUTION:
The solution is under development.
1.47 Non-cooperative tissue games. Imagine the processes of organogenesis as a non-cooperative
game. If needed, suggest other definitions of organs than in the traditional anatomy.
SOLUTION:
The solution is under development.