18 July 2012

Squid chromatophores

Squid rapidly change colour when the muscles surrounding a chromatophore-filled sac contracts and expands -- when it contracts, the pigment appears denser, when it expands the colour becomes muted and disappears. The squid changes its colour according to exterior factors -- such as a threat or the presence of a potential mate - because each chromatophore is linked to a nerve ending.
Via Wired and Neatorama.  The background version of Pachelbel seems rather plodding, but the visual images are interesting.

2 comments:

  1. "The background version of Pachelbel seems rather plodding" - Nothing that an electric guitar can't fix

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by8oyJztzwo&feature=BFa&list=PL5320CEF704DD769B

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