|
Hydro medusa Jellyfish |
|
|
Hydromedusan jellyfish swim by rhythmic pulsation of their mesogleal bells. A single swimming muscle contracts to create thrust by ejecting water from the subumbrellar cavity. At the end of the contraction, energy stored in the deformation of the mesogleal bell powers the refilling stage, during which water is sucked back into the subumbrellar cavity. The mesoglea(transparent gel inside the bell) is a mucopolysaccharide gel reinforced with radially oriented fibres made primarily of a protein very similar to mammalian fibrillin. Most of the energy required to power the refill stroke is thought to be stored by stretching these fibres. http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/16215211 For further viewing, purchasing, or commissions, please contact me at: clgilbane@gmail.comHome Jelly Fish Introduction Next in Series
|
||