Path followed:
1. Is the fault in the components that perform any physical action?
Answer: Yes
2. Is the fault in components that move?
Answer: Yes
3. Is the fault in components that make the mechanism move?
Answer: Yes
4. Is the faulty component designed to move the mechanism around?
Answer:Yes
5. Is the faulty component needed for stability?
Answer: Yes
6. Does the faulty component manipulate smaller objects?
Answer: No
7. Are there any external resources that can be used by the mechanism?
Answer: No
8. Does the adaptation continue after replacing the faulty component?
Answer: Yes
9. Does any material need to be removed before the adaptation takes place?
Answer: No
9) American Cockroach, Periplaneta americana
American cockroaches were originally from Africa but were introduced to all continents due to exploration (Barbara). They roam in tunnels and buildings where there is waste and easily acceptable food. American cockroaches have the ability of regenerating their leg if they were to get it amputated in some way.
Soon after the leg has been cut off or injured a blastema will form from the Wnt signal pathway (Nakamura et al.). This pathway initiates cells surrounding the wounded site to dedifferentiate and proliferate as undifferentiated mesenchyme cells. Three more signals help initiate and
differentiate the cells in the amputated leg and they are Hh, Dpp, and Wg. The Hh signal helps organize growth and cell patterning in the
regenerated leg (Nakamura et al.). The Dpp signal is found to differentiate the cells into chondrocytes that will form the leg joint
(Nakamura et al.). Finally the Wg signal is found to differentiate the cells into the distal leg portions (Nakamura et al.). The undifferentiated mesenchyme cells would differentiate into chondrocytes to form other muscles of the leg. Endothelial cells will also form and create the blood vessels and nerves in the leg. The mesenchyme cells would also differentiate into epidermal cells that would create the exoskeleton of the leg and protect the internal parts. The epidermal cells would continually proliferate until the leg had grown back to its original size. Once the leg has grown to its maximum size the blastema would disintegrate and the cells would stop proliferating.
Barbara, Kathryn A. “American Cockroach.” Featured Creatures. University of Florida, June 2000. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/roaches/american_cockroach.htm
Nakamura, T., T. Mito, T. Bando, H. Ohuchi, and S. Noji. “Molecular and Cellular Basis of Regeneration and Tissue Repair.” Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences65.1 (2008): 64-72. Deepdyve. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.
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