The Physiological Evolution of the Camel
The Physiological Evolution of the Camel
Habib Hogue
SCI/230
Shannon Kam
July 12, 2013
The Physiological Evolution of the Camel The camel is an excellent example of how animals can physiologically adapt to their environment. Camels are generally found in African and Asian countries, where the climate is often hot and dry. In order to survive, the camel has adapted beautifully to its surrounding environment. The large hump(s) on located on the camel’s back, contrary to popular belief, is actually a large storage of fat. When on long journeys across the desert or when food is scarce, the camel can feed off the nutrients stored in the fat. Camels can go days without food or water, and safely lose up to 40% of its body weight. This is due in part to the camel’s plasma fluid being maintained (at the expense of tissue fluid) so that its circulation is not impaired. The camel’s body absorbs water very slowly from the stomach and intestines, allowing time for equilibration. Their erythrocytes can also swell to 240% of its normal size without bursting, lending to the animal’s ability to hold dubious amounts of water. In a further effort to aid the animal survive the arid climate, the kidneys have also evolved. To help reduce water loss, the kidneys can produce urine so concentrated it contains twice the salt content of sea water and thick as syrup. Camels can also use their excrement to hydrate if absolutely necessary – it has developed the ability to extract water from their fecal
Habib Hogue
SCI/230
Shannon Kam
July 12, 2013
The Physiological Evolution of the Camel The camel is an excellent example of how animals can physiologically adapt to their environment. Camels are generally found in African and Asian countries, where the climate is often hot and dry. In order to survive, the camel has adapted beautifully to its surrounding environment. The large hump(s) on located on the camel’s back, contrary to popular belief, is actually a large storage of fat. When on long journeys across the desert or when food is scarce, the camel can feed off the nutrients stored in the fat. Camels can go days without food or water, and safely lose up to 40% of its body weight. This is due in part to the camel’s plasma fluid being maintained (at the expense of tissue fluid) so that its circulation is not impaired. The camel’s body absorbs water very slowly from the stomach and intestines, allowing time for equilibration. Their erythrocytes can also swell to 240% of its normal size without bursting, lending to the animal’s ability to hold dubious amounts of water. In a further effort to aid the animal survive the arid climate, the kidneys have also evolved. To help reduce water loss, the kidneys can produce urine so concentrated it contains twice the salt content of sea water and thick as syrup. Camels can also use their excrement to hydrate if absolutely necessary – it has developed the ability to extract water from their fecal