Paleontologists have found in dinosaur bone preserved organic structures, which are about 75 million years. Found cells red blood cells allow scientists to assume that the ancient reptiles were warm-blooded.
By studying the remains of dinosaurs of the Cretaceous period (75 million years ago, paleontologists suddenly noticed that to this day remained living cells. In fact, researchers have identified patterns similar to red blood cells and collagen fibers, described in the scientific journal Nature Communications.
The finding was particularly struck by the research workers that have remained for so long. Previously it was thought that protein molecules in fossilized remains able to "live" not more than 4 million years - then they break down into fragments that cannot be identified.
To identify cells paleontologists have used several techniques of analysis. The location and composition of soft tissues in the bones they are characterized with a scanning electron microscope. Next, the scientists cut the samples using the focused ion beam and examined their internal structure.
So, Sergio Bertazzo and his colleagues found in the bones of ancient dinosaurs education ovate, resembling red blood cells. Then the scientists compared these cells with blood cells modern EMU. It turns out that their structure is quite similar. This gives biologists reason to imagine that dinosaurs were warm-blooded animals.
In addition, the researchers stumbled on the fibrous structure, which resembled a helix of collagen fibers. Thanks to the cells of this protein, which all animals have different structures, researchers will be better able to qualify the types of ancient dinosaurs.
sections: Society, World News |