Path followed:
1. Is the fault in the components that perform any physical action?
Answer: No
2. Is the faulty component part of the mechanism’s body?
Answer: Yes
3. Is the faulty component in the structure of the mechanism?
Answer: Yes
4. Does the fault appear in components that provide rigidity to the mechanism?
Answer: No
5. Is the faulty component responsible for supporting other components?
Answer: Yes
6. Is the fault in critical components of the mechanism?
Answer: Yes
7. Does the faulty component control other parts of the mechanism?
Answer: Yes
8. Are there several internal resources that can be used by the mechanism?
Answer: Yes
9. Are there any external resources that can be used by the mechanism?
Answer: No
107) Snail fur, Hydractinia echinata
Snail fur is a colonial marine organism that attaches itself to the back of hermit crabs or similar objects (Doherty). The snail fur is made up of thousands of polyps that are all connected and help each other survive (Doherty). If one of the polyps head was to get cut or torn off another head would be regenerated.
Hydractinia have been found to have large quantities of interstitial cells in their body. These interstitial cells have the ability of
differentiating into epithelial and germ cells (Plickert et al.). The interstitial cells can also activate Wnt-receptor Frizzled which becomes responsive to Wnt signals (Plickert et al.). The Wnt signals initiate the production of nematocytes and nerve cells in the body (Plickert et al.). It can also signal for the interstitial cells to migrate and group together near the site of a lost head. The cells will begin to proliferate and differentiate into the various structures of the head such as the nerves, tissues, and sensory receptors. Once the head has been
regenerated the Wnt signaling will stop being sent, which means the cells will stop migrating and proliferating at the previously wounded spot.
Doherty, Kate. “Snail Fur: An Alternative Model Organism for Stem Cell Research.” Web log post. EuroStemCell. EuroStemCell, 10 July 2014. Web. 30 Dec. 2014.
http://www.eurostemcell.org/story/snail-fur-alternative-model-organism-stem-cell-research
Plickert, Gunter, Uri Frank, and Werner A. Muller. “Hydractinia, a Pioneering Model for Stem Cell Biology and Reprogramming Somatic Cells to Pluripotency.” The International Journal of Developmental Biology 56 (2012): 519-34. IJDB. Web. 30 Dec. 2014.
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