The Amazing Science Of Chicken Feathers

http://wamuanimalhouse.org/shows/2013-01-19/amazing-science-chicken-feathers
The Amazing Science Of Chicken Feathers

The feathers of a hen or rooster might appear to be an unlikely target for intensive research, but a U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist has spent the past 20 years uncovering some remarkable properties of this often discarded part of the bird’s anatomy. WAMU news reporter Emily Berman paid a visit to the USDA campus in Beltsville, Md., to learn more about the chemist and his chicken feathers. Also featured: The Loh Down on Science with Sandra Loh.

The feathers of a hen or rooster might appear to be an unlikely target for intensive research, but a U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist has spent the past 20 years uncovering some remarkable properties of this often discarded part of the bird’s anatomy. WAMU news reporter Emily Berman paid a visit to the USDA campus in Beltsville, Md., to learn more about the chemist and his chicken feathers. Also featured: The Loh Down on Science with Sandra Loh.

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Stephanie Kko wrote:

The β-keratins in feathers, beaks and claws — and the claws, scales and shells of reptiles — are composed of protein strands hydrogen-bonded into β-pleated sheets, which are then further twisted and crosslinked by disulfide bridges into structures even tougher than the α-keratins of mammalian hair, horns and hoof -Douglas Andrew

February 26, 2013 - 4:01pm
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February 26, 2013 - 11:13pm
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