Anti-car bug propaganda slogan

The particularity of one's own body structure.

In 20 15, Jesus Rivera and his colleagues conducted scientific experiments in California. On the asphalt road, put the black iron beetle on the side of the road, and then let colleagues drive to crush it. Shockingly, the beetle was not trampled to death, but still alive. About 2 cm of insects were crushed by cars, and they were still alive without scratches, which was unbelievable. Beetle bones contain no minerals, only chitin and protein.

This iron beetle, named Phloeodes diabolicus, lives in desert areas of North America and lurks under rocks. This beetle is like a small tank. The hard exoskeleton can resist predators, be trampled by travelers and be knocked down by cars.

Five years later, Jesus Rivera and his colleagues discovered the secret of the Beetle: natural evolution made the Beetle exoskeleton bear 39,000 times its own pressure, which was equivalent to carrying 40 M 1 abrams main battle tanks.

Why can beetles withstand external forces? What is the structure of exoskeleton?

Evaluate the force on the iron beetle. Jesus Rivera? Colleagues tested the exoskeleton and compared the results with those of other beetle species? For comparison. The results show that the maximum external force borne by other beetles is less than 68 N, which can be achieved by iron beetles? 149 N, for weight? 39000 times.

Subsequently, analysis and microstructure characterization were carried out. It is found that the exoskeleton of iron beetle is composed of natural chitin molecules and protein.

Arthropod exoskeleton is a kind of functional armor, which consists of three layers: waterproof epidermis, stratum corneum and inner stratum corneum. In which two inner cuticles provide protection. In the stratum corneum, chitin molecules and protein form fibers. With what? Spiral? The structure is arranged so that the epidermis has a microstructure. It is tough and absorbs energy. Although the cuticle of iron beetle is thicker than others, it helps the exoskeleton of iron beetle absorb energy, which can't explain the toughness.

Jesus Rivera used spectroscopy and CT scanning to study the exoskeleton of iron beetles. It is found that the sheath wings of iron beetles play an irreplaceable role in toughness.

COLEOPTERA is the front wing, hard, and pulse-like rear wing that protects insects. ? In the process of evolution, the iron beetle lost its flying skills, and its sheath wings became harder and permanently locked together, providing protection from infringement like armor.