Path followed:
- Is the fault in the components that perform any physical action?
Answer: Yes
- Is the fault in components that move?
Answer: Yes
- Is the fault in components that make the mechanism move?
Answer: Yes
- Is the faulty component designed to move the mechanism around?
Answer: Yes
- Is the faulty component needed for stability?
Answer: Yes
- Does the faulty component manipulate smaller objects?
Answer: Yes
- Does the surrounding environment affect the process of regeneration?
Answer: No
- Are there any external resources that can be used by the mechanism?
Answer: No
- Does any material need to be cleared during the regeneration process?
Answer: No
- Does the adaptation occur in stages?
Answer: No
49) Pacific blood star, Henricia Leviuscula
Pacific blood stars are found in the Pacific Ocean close to where sponges live since they are its prey (Cowles). Pacific blood stars are known to be able to regenerate the pyloric caeca found in their arms after getting injured.
Shortly after the arm is injured a blastema covers the stump made of undifferentiated cells. Near the base of the arm cells begin to re-differentiate to continue the caeca from the central stump into the arm (Anderson, p. 321-42). As more cells are replicated they begin to re-differentiate to continue the caeca, although the cells only differentiate closer to the stump. The cells closest to the tip are still proliferating to give rise to more cells that will make the rest of the arm. The cells also differentiate into the epithelium, which covers the organs in the arm and houses the mucous gland and zymogen cells (Anderson, p. 321-42). The muscle and connective tissue are found to differentiate in the later stages of regeneration. The Tiedemann’s pouch forms from specializations in the floor of the tubular caecal regenerate (Anderson, p. 321-42).
Cowles, Dave. “Henricia Leviuscula.” Henricia Leviuscula. Walla Walla University, 2005. Web. 7 Dec. 2014.
Anderson, John Maxwell. “STUDIES ON VISCERAL REGENERATION IN SEA-STARS. I. REGENERATION OF PYLORIC CAECA IN HENRICIA LEVIUSCULA (STIMPSON).” The Biological Bulletin 122.3 (1962): 321-42. The Biological Bulletin. Web. 7 Dec. 2014.