Blood cells circulate in viscous blood: dromedary camel

1 of 1 Dromedary Camel / Ltshears / License

The red blood cells of dromedary camels circulate even in thick, dehydrated blood due to their oval shape.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

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Biomimetic Application Ideas

Ensuring smooth engine oil flow as temperatures fluctuate, fuel flow and storage applications, improved dispersal of sprayed products, liquid food storage applications, medical applications for improved blood flow, e.g. in hospitalized patients.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"The dromedary camel is one of the most well adapted to hot arid climates. Contrary to popular opinion, the camel does not store water any more than any other species, yet it need not drink water for days. The camel is able to tolerate extreme dehydration and has been known to safely lose body water equal to 40% of its body weight. Such a water loss would be lethal in any other animal. In the camel, plasma volume is maintained at the expense of tissue fluid, thus circulation is not impaired. The small oval erythrocyte of the camel continues to circulate despite increased blood viscosity.

"Even after severe dehydration, the camel is able to drink sufficient water at one session to make up the deficit. This amount of water would cause severe osmotic problems in humans or other animals. In the camel, water is absorbed from the stomach and intestines slowly, allowing equilibrium to be established. The erythrocytes are able to avoid osmotic problems by swelling to 240% of their initial volume without rupturing. In other species, erythrocytes can swell only to 150%.¹⁶ Lamoids share some of these characteristics with camels.[Paragraph on evaporative cooling.] The kidney of the camel is capable of concentrating urine markedly to diminish water loss. The urine becomes as thick as syrup, and salt content may be increased to twice the concentration of salt in sea water. Water is extracted in the form of fecal pellets to such a degree that they can be used for fuel immediately upon voiding." (Fowler 1998:235)

About the inspiring organism

dromedary
Camelus dromedarius Linnaeus, 1758
[Dromedary]

IUCN Red List Status: Unknown
Habitat(s): Desert

Some organism data provided by: ITIS: The Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Ensuring smooth engine oil flow as temperatures fluctuate, fuel flow and storage applications, improved dispersal of sprayed products, liquid food storage applications, medical applications for improved blood flow, e.g. in hospitalized patients.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Automotive, agriculture, food, medical

Experts

Murray E. Fowler

References

Fowler, Murray E. 1998. Medicine and Surgery of South American Camelids: Llama, Alpaca, Vicuna, Guanaco. Iowa State Press. 549 p.

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Comments

Thanks to Duarte Miguel Prazeres for finding and uploading this photo.

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