Posts

Showing posts from October, 2018

MY FAVORITE TISSUE - THE AVIAN BEAK

Image
Welcome!  Hello! My name is Rachel Sorensen and I am a fourth year biology student. I’ve designed this blog as an assignment for the BIOL 3500 (Histology) course at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Hopefully my series of posts can help you learn a little about the histology of bird beaks, and how the specialization of these tissues act as a key characteristic for the success and continued biodiversity of avian species.    Who are the Class Aves? Class Aves is a class of vertebrates that includes the birds. Although birds are a close relative to the reptilians and live in close association with the mammals, this division of animals has numerous specializations that distinguish them from other animals across the globe. While characteristics such as feathers, fused metatarsals, a unique digestive system, and the ability to engage in flapping flight are important indicators of this class, the evolution of a toothless beak is equally critical. The avian beak and