Young Knifefish Attach Themselves to the Bottom of a River

Function

The young ghost knifefish has a special organ to attach itself to the bottom of the river. The organ is on the right side of its body, and is composed of adherent cells and epithelial cells. The adherent cells contain many organelles, such as the mucus-filled rough endoplasmic reticulum and the adhesive Golgi apparatus. The epithelial cells collect adhesive material and guard it with 4-to-10nm protrusions. The edges of the organ’s adherent cells protrude from the surface of the knifefish’s body. It is thought that this causes adhesive material to collect, from which they begin to create an adhesive thread.

Functional Classification

Defense/Stability:
Adhesion

Environmental Solution Classification

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Technical Application

Products and Services

Type of Business

Proposals of Applied Technology

The knifefish’s system of creating adhesive threads by using its cells and protrusions can be applied to the development of ultra-strong, waterproof adhesives.

Proposals of Applied Industry

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