An adult Colorado potato beetle. Photo by Brent Sinclair
An adult Colorado potato beetle. Photo by Brent Sinclair - Even as gas prices soar, most people don't destroy their car's engine just to save energy - and that's one luxury certain insects have that those humans don't. New research from Western University has found potato beetles can break down and regrow muscles on demand, allowing them to preserve energy over the winter. In a study published by the high-impact journal PNAS, a team of insect physiologists from Western showed that hibernating Colorado potato beetles break down mitochondria in their own flight muscle in preparation for the harsh winter climate. Often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell, mitochondria normally supply energy for flight and metabolism. In human muscles, mitochondria degrade when not in use (for example, in astronauts that spend a long time in zero gravity) and require exercise to stimulate regrowth. However, unlike humans, these beetles spontaneously regrow their mitochondria on demand and prepare their muscles for flight in the spring.
TO READ THIS ARTICLE, CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
And extend your reading, free of charge and with no commitment.
