ISSN:
1420-9071
Keywords:
Artery
;
lamprey
;
microfibrils
;
aorta
;
elastin
;
biomaterials
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Lampreys exhibit important structural and biochemical differences in their connective tissues relative to higher vertebrates. The lamprey ventral aorta wall, for example, is composed principally of microfibrils, not elastin and collagen as in higher vertebrates. Our working hypothesis was that this arrangement of microfibrils is primitive, but provides sufficient elastic behaviour to function as aortae in higher vertebrates. To support this hypothesis, we measured the mechanical properties of the ventral aorta wall of the lamprey, and showed that the architecture provides a mechanical structure that does produce functional mechanical properties similar to aortae in higher vertebrates.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01928787
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