The gut in the feast and famine
Article Abstract:
The digestive system of vertebrates adapts itself to the changed functional needs. Energy is required to maintain digestive structure itself. The thickness of mucosal lining of vertebrates increases or decreases the functional capacity of the digestive system. The digestive behavior in squirrels and python shows how digestive structure responds to functional needs. Python intestinal tracts become atrophied during fasting periods and rapidly reconstruct when feeding while squirrels reduce thee mucosal thickness during hibernation to reduce maintenance costs.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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A calcium window to the gut
Article Abstract:
Gut contractility is determined by concentrations of calcium ions in the muscle linings of the gut. Stevens and colleagues have monitored changes in the internal CA(super2+) during natural gut activity using a fluorescent dye. CA(super2+) waves in the longitudinal layer were found to be the result of neuronal activity, and the waves spread readily along the axis of the colon, but poorly around the circumference. The firing of inhibitory nerves was found to produce local inhibition barriers, restricting the spread of the excitatory wave.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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Southern discomfort
Article Abstract:
The 10th International Hibernation Symposium, Australia, 1996, shows that some Southern Hemisphere species routinely enter daily torpor and seasonal hibernation under mild thermal conditions. Further, some species, such as marsupials little utilize brown adipose tissue in the hibernation process. This finding challenges the traditional northern hemispheric view on hibernation. Such deviation in hibernation process is attributed to climatic unpredictability which requires the mammals to adapt to climatic changes.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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