• Question: how do tigers and other printed animals get their patternsl

    Asked by massey to Cat, Daz, Holly, Johnson, Pamela on 21 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Darren Braddick

      Darren Braddick answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Hi Massey

      Well the short answer is that many organisms are ‘patterned’ during their development. These patterns serve many functions – mostly it is for survival. Either to attract mating partners (think of the patterns of the peacock!) or to disguise itself in the wild.

      They do not choose the pattern thought – it is decided completely by genetics. This will depend on the genes picked up from the animals parents. For example, it has been seen that if certain mating partners in a group of animals (like tigers) create offspring, the patterns will change in certain and slightly predictable ways between the generations of tigers.

      So the genes inherited will dictate in early development, which cells and at which position will make patterns. These patterns are usually nothing more than pigmentation (or colouring) in certain patches. I should tell you that the biology of pattern formation is incredibly complex and actually has a very very important role in human development – it is exactly the same science which means you were born with a symmetrical body (left to right) with patterning of organs and limbs upwards and downwards.

      These are truly amazingly complicated processes !!

      I hope this helps !

      Daz

    • Photo: Johnson Soronnadi

      Johnson Soronnadi answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Hi Massey,
      These patterns are coded genes in animals which are transferred to the parents. Just the same way human ( Parents) pass unto their offsprings some special features. Most of these patterns was adapted for survival and was used as a camouflage to catch prey or hide from predators.
      Every organism has a unique body pattern and resemblances from the parents. For instance in Humans, specialized body structures, such as arms and legs, are similar in makeup like the parents (for example, both are made of muscle and bone) but their shapes may different as the offspring’s start to develop and train the muscles. Genes that determine body pattern have common sequence characteristics from the both parents.

      Hope this answers the question.

      Johnson

    • Photo: Cat O'Connor

      Cat O'Connor answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Hi Massey,

      Would you believe on the day you asked this question I met someone who actually studies how some animals have stripes and other have spots! I think Daz and Johnson have given you great answers but I’ve added a link to a presentation that explains a bit more about it. Now be warned, it’s very mathsy but you can do what I do and just look at the pictures and you’ll get a good idea about it. I bet you never realised the answer to your question would be so complicated!

      http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=9&ved=0CE4QFjAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.resnet.wm.edu%2F~jxshix%2Fmath490%2FTuring%2520Patterns%2520in%2520Animal%2520Coat.ppt&ei=mMEATvWJI8WmhAfVvOmLDQ&usg=AFQjCNFsSpcaQumxDnkTA4rk2dlaW5jQHA&sig2=DhvQe0z8JXkXLj0FXLta6g

      Another cool animal to check out is this goat: http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcROVUAr2sP8sKnnSLq5vL4uAq0jDvr3TX8z5nI7BOIApBxiYEqH1A

      Now that is a pretty cool pattern to have on your coat!!

      Hope this helps,

      Cat

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