Cell Bio Bites Topic: Melanophores and Microtubule Monorails – Insights into Rapid Colour Change in Fish and Amphibians
Define the key terms (scientific words) in your own words. (notes or textbook can be used as sources)
Melanophores – pigmented cells that contain melanin which are black/brown and are found particularly in fish, amphibians and reptiles.
Melanin-Concentrating Hormone – a hormone which controls skin pigmentation in teleost fish.
Flatfish – a fish which is flat and in many species has both of its eyes on one side of its head.
Metamorphosis – when an insect or amphibian changes from an immature state to a mature state in two or more stages.
Verasper moseri – more commonly known as the barfin flounder, it is a flat fish
Why is it important to learn about this topic? Are there potential medical or commercial applications?
It is important to study this topic as it can help with furthering neurological drugs. Melanophores act similar to drugs that affect the nervous system.
The article: Developmental changes in melanophores and their asymmetrical responsiveness to melanin-concentrating hormone during metamorphosis in barfin flounder (Verasper moseri)
Provide a citation for the article you have chosen, formatted in APA style:
Yoshikawa, N., Matsuda, T., Takahashi, A., Tagawa, M., (2013). Developmental changes in melanophores and their asymmetrical responsiveness to melanin-concentrating hormone during metamorphosis in barfin flounder (Verasper moseri).General and Comparative Endocrinology
In your own words, provide background information (two sentences) that sets up the purpose of the study. This information will likely be found in the Introduction.
Flat fish evolved from a symmetrical ancestor. They must have developed the ability to asymmetrically change their colorations over a course of many years due to evolution.
What was the objective of the study?
The objective of this study is