Transparent Carapace In Marine Organism

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Is it possible to genetically engineer transparent carapace to act as biological armor in marine organisms?



I know that deep sea animals may have transparent skin to hide themselves in the lightless depths, but I havent seen any examples (so far) of transparent carapace. If you can make skin and organs transparent, can you do it for bones too?










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    How transparent are you looking for? Are you looking for window-glass transparency with no distortion, or are you just looking to let light through
    – Cort Ammon
    6 hours ago














up vote
6
down vote

favorite
1












Is it possible to genetically engineer transparent carapace to act as biological armor in marine organisms?



I know that deep sea animals may have transparent skin to hide themselves in the lightless depths, but I havent seen any examples (so far) of transparent carapace. If you can make skin and organs transparent, can you do it for bones too?










share|improve this question

















  • 1




    How transparent are you looking for? Are you looking for window-glass transparency with no distortion, or are you just looking to let light through
    – Cort Ammon
    6 hours ago












up vote
6
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
6
down vote

favorite
1






1





Is it possible to genetically engineer transparent carapace to act as biological armor in marine organisms?



I know that deep sea animals may have transparent skin to hide themselves in the lightless depths, but I havent seen any examples (so far) of transparent carapace. If you can make skin and organs transparent, can you do it for bones too?










share|improve this question













Is it possible to genetically engineer transparent carapace to act as biological armor in marine organisms?



I know that deep sea animals may have transparent skin to hide themselves in the lightless depths, but I havent seen any examples (so far) of transparent carapace. If you can make skin and organs transparent, can you do it for bones too?







science-based biology






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asked 6 hours ago









JTriptych

359211




359211







  • 1




    How transparent are you looking for? Are you looking for window-glass transparency with no distortion, or are you just looking to let light through
    – Cort Ammon
    6 hours ago












  • 1




    How transparent are you looking for? Are you looking for window-glass transparency with no distortion, or are you just looking to let light through
    – Cort Ammon
    6 hours ago







1




1




How transparent are you looking for? Are you looking for window-glass transparency with no distortion, or are you just looking to let light through
– Cort Ammon
6 hours ago




How transparent are you looking for? Are you looking for window-glass transparency with no distortion, or are you just looking to let light through
– Cort Ammon
6 hours ago










3 Answers
3






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A carapace is typically chitin rather than bone. Some species of shrimp have completely transparent carapaces. hardness and transparency of the carapace are largely determined by the degree of mineralization. Ghost Shrimp have transparent carapaces, and the carapace of many crayfish is actually translucent.






share|improve this answer



























    up vote
    3
    down vote













    Yes, absolutely!



    Check out this little guy:



    Copepod suspended in water column, personal photo



    This is a copepod. They live basically everywhere and are one of the most numerous animal groups in aquatic communities.



    They also belong to the subphylum Crustacea, the same group of animals as the more charismatic crabs and lobsters of which you're probably thinking. Their carapace is quite strong, but still translucent and almost glasslike in places.



    Other examples:



    The aptly named ghost shrimp



    Ghost shrimp, from https://aquariuminfo.org/images/ghostshrimp.jpg



    A common marine isopod



    Translucent isopod, from https://arthropoda.wordpress.com/category/arthropods/crustaceans/isopods-pill-bugs/



    Even some lobsters can have translucent shells:



    Ghost lobster, from https://www.newsweek.com/extremely-rare-translucent-ghost-lobster-caught-coast-maine-659093






    share|improve this answer



























      up vote
      0
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      As pictures in @Dubukay's answer illustrate, it will be transparent enough to see internal organs. However, you cannot get complete invisibility, because there is a difference in the index of refraction between seawater and the animal's skin/shell.



      Pure water has an index of refraction of 1.333. The refractive index of seawater varies with conditions, but is within the range of 1.329 and 1.368.



      The carapace of arthropods/crustaceans is made of the protein chitin. The scales and skin of fish and marine mammals is made of the protein keratin. Both have refractive indices above 1.5:




      Refractive index and dispersion of butterfly chitin and bird keratin measured by polarizing interference microscopy



      Using Jamin-Lebedeff interference microscopy, we measured the wavelength dependence of the refractive index of butterfly wing scales and bird feathers. The refractive index values of the glass scales of the butterfly Graphium sarpedon are, at wavelengths 400, 500 and 600 nm, 1.572, 1.552 and 1.541, and those of the feather barbules of the white goose Anas anas domestica are 1.569, 1.556 and 1.548, respectively.



      abstract on PubMed




      The only way for one transparent material to completely "disappear" inside another is for the refractive indices to match. As you can see, this won't happen.






      share|improve this answer




















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        3 Answers
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        3 Answers
        3






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        active

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        up vote
        3
        down vote













        A carapace is typically chitin rather than bone. Some species of shrimp have completely transparent carapaces. hardness and transparency of the carapace are largely determined by the degree of mineralization. Ghost Shrimp have transparent carapaces, and the carapace of many crayfish is actually translucent.






        share|improve this answer
























          up vote
          3
          down vote













          A carapace is typically chitin rather than bone. Some species of shrimp have completely transparent carapaces. hardness and transparency of the carapace are largely determined by the degree of mineralization. Ghost Shrimp have transparent carapaces, and the carapace of many crayfish is actually translucent.






          share|improve this answer






















            up vote
            3
            down vote










            up vote
            3
            down vote









            A carapace is typically chitin rather than bone. Some species of shrimp have completely transparent carapaces. hardness and transparency of the carapace are largely determined by the degree of mineralization. Ghost Shrimp have transparent carapaces, and the carapace of many crayfish is actually translucent.






            share|improve this answer












            A carapace is typically chitin rather than bone. Some species of shrimp have completely transparent carapaces. hardness and transparency of the carapace are largely determined by the degree of mineralization. Ghost Shrimp have transparent carapaces, and the carapace of many crayfish is actually translucent.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 6 hours ago









            pojo-guy

            6,03711120




            6,03711120




















                up vote
                3
                down vote













                Yes, absolutely!



                Check out this little guy:



                Copepod suspended in water column, personal photo



                This is a copepod. They live basically everywhere and are one of the most numerous animal groups in aquatic communities.



                They also belong to the subphylum Crustacea, the same group of animals as the more charismatic crabs and lobsters of which you're probably thinking. Their carapace is quite strong, but still translucent and almost glasslike in places.



                Other examples:



                The aptly named ghost shrimp



                Ghost shrimp, from https://aquariuminfo.org/images/ghostshrimp.jpg



                A common marine isopod



                Translucent isopod, from https://arthropoda.wordpress.com/category/arthropods/crustaceans/isopods-pill-bugs/



                Even some lobsters can have translucent shells:



                Ghost lobster, from https://www.newsweek.com/extremely-rare-translucent-ghost-lobster-caught-coast-maine-659093






                share|improve this answer
























                  up vote
                  3
                  down vote













                  Yes, absolutely!



                  Check out this little guy:



                  Copepod suspended in water column, personal photo



                  This is a copepod. They live basically everywhere and are one of the most numerous animal groups in aquatic communities.



                  They also belong to the subphylum Crustacea, the same group of animals as the more charismatic crabs and lobsters of which you're probably thinking. Their carapace is quite strong, but still translucent and almost glasslike in places.



                  Other examples:



                  The aptly named ghost shrimp



                  Ghost shrimp, from https://aquariuminfo.org/images/ghostshrimp.jpg



                  A common marine isopod



                  Translucent isopod, from https://arthropoda.wordpress.com/category/arthropods/crustaceans/isopods-pill-bugs/



                  Even some lobsters can have translucent shells:



                  Ghost lobster, from https://www.newsweek.com/extremely-rare-translucent-ghost-lobster-caught-coast-maine-659093






                  share|improve this answer






















                    up vote
                    3
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    3
                    down vote









                    Yes, absolutely!



                    Check out this little guy:



                    Copepod suspended in water column, personal photo



                    This is a copepod. They live basically everywhere and are one of the most numerous animal groups in aquatic communities.



                    They also belong to the subphylum Crustacea, the same group of animals as the more charismatic crabs and lobsters of which you're probably thinking. Their carapace is quite strong, but still translucent and almost glasslike in places.



                    Other examples:



                    The aptly named ghost shrimp



                    Ghost shrimp, from https://aquariuminfo.org/images/ghostshrimp.jpg



                    A common marine isopod



                    Translucent isopod, from https://arthropoda.wordpress.com/category/arthropods/crustaceans/isopods-pill-bugs/



                    Even some lobsters can have translucent shells:



                    Ghost lobster, from https://www.newsweek.com/extremely-rare-translucent-ghost-lobster-caught-coast-maine-659093






                    share|improve this answer












                    Yes, absolutely!



                    Check out this little guy:



                    Copepod suspended in water column, personal photo



                    This is a copepod. They live basically everywhere and are one of the most numerous animal groups in aquatic communities.



                    They also belong to the subphylum Crustacea, the same group of animals as the more charismatic crabs and lobsters of which you're probably thinking. Their carapace is quite strong, but still translucent and almost glasslike in places.



                    Other examples:



                    The aptly named ghost shrimp



                    Ghost shrimp, from https://aquariuminfo.org/images/ghostshrimp.jpg



                    A common marine isopod



                    Translucent isopod, from https://arthropoda.wordpress.com/category/arthropods/crustaceans/isopods-pill-bugs/



                    Even some lobsters can have translucent shells:



                    Ghost lobster, from https://www.newsweek.com/extremely-rare-translucent-ghost-lobster-caught-coast-maine-659093







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 4 hours ago









                    Dubukay

                    7,85341852




                    7,85341852




















                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        As pictures in @Dubukay's answer illustrate, it will be transparent enough to see internal organs. However, you cannot get complete invisibility, because there is a difference in the index of refraction between seawater and the animal's skin/shell.



                        Pure water has an index of refraction of 1.333. The refractive index of seawater varies with conditions, but is within the range of 1.329 and 1.368.



                        The carapace of arthropods/crustaceans is made of the protein chitin. The scales and skin of fish and marine mammals is made of the protein keratin. Both have refractive indices above 1.5:




                        Refractive index and dispersion of butterfly chitin and bird keratin measured by polarizing interference microscopy



                        Using Jamin-Lebedeff interference microscopy, we measured the wavelength dependence of the refractive index of butterfly wing scales and bird feathers. The refractive index values of the glass scales of the butterfly Graphium sarpedon are, at wavelengths 400, 500 and 600 nm, 1.572, 1.552 and 1.541, and those of the feather barbules of the white goose Anas anas domestica are 1.569, 1.556 and 1.548, respectively.



                        abstract on PubMed




                        The only way for one transparent material to completely "disappear" inside another is for the refractive indices to match. As you can see, this won't happen.






                        share|improve this answer
























                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          As pictures in @Dubukay's answer illustrate, it will be transparent enough to see internal organs. However, you cannot get complete invisibility, because there is a difference in the index of refraction between seawater and the animal's skin/shell.



                          Pure water has an index of refraction of 1.333. The refractive index of seawater varies with conditions, but is within the range of 1.329 and 1.368.



                          The carapace of arthropods/crustaceans is made of the protein chitin. The scales and skin of fish and marine mammals is made of the protein keratin. Both have refractive indices above 1.5:




                          Refractive index and dispersion of butterfly chitin and bird keratin measured by polarizing interference microscopy



                          Using Jamin-Lebedeff interference microscopy, we measured the wavelength dependence of the refractive index of butterfly wing scales and bird feathers. The refractive index values of the glass scales of the butterfly Graphium sarpedon are, at wavelengths 400, 500 and 600 nm, 1.572, 1.552 and 1.541, and those of the feather barbules of the white goose Anas anas domestica are 1.569, 1.556 and 1.548, respectively.



                          abstract on PubMed




                          The only way for one transparent material to completely "disappear" inside another is for the refractive indices to match. As you can see, this won't happen.






                          share|improve this answer






















                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote









                            As pictures in @Dubukay's answer illustrate, it will be transparent enough to see internal organs. However, you cannot get complete invisibility, because there is a difference in the index of refraction between seawater and the animal's skin/shell.



                            Pure water has an index of refraction of 1.333. The refractive index of seawater varies with conditions, but is within the range of 1.329 and 1.368.



                            The carapace of arthropods/crustaceans is made of the protein chitin. The scales and skin of fish and marine mammals is made of the protein keratin. Both have refractive indices above 1.5:




                            Refractive index and dispersion of butterfly chitin and bird keratin measured by polarizing interference microscopy



                            Using Jamin-Lebedeff interference microscopy, we measured the wavelength dependence of the refractive index of butterfly wing scales and bird feathers. The refractive index values of the glass scales of the butterfly Graphium sarpedon are, at wavelengths 400, 500 and 600 nm, 1.572, 1.552 and 1.541, and those of the feather barbules of the white goose Anas anas domestica are 1.569, 1.556 and 1.548, respectively.



                            abstract on PubMed




                            The only way for one transparent material to completely "disappear" inside another is for the refractive indices to match. As you can see, this won't happen.






                            share|improve this answer












                            As pictures in @Dubukay's answer illustrate, it will be transparent enough to see internal organs. However, you cannot get complete invisibility, because there is a difference in the index of refraction between seawater and the animal's skin/shell.



                            Pure water has an index of refraction of 1.333. The refractive index of seawater varies with conditions, but is within the range of 1.329 and 1.368.



                            The carapace of arthropods/crustaceans is made of the protein chitin. The scales and skin of fish and marine mammals is made of the protein keratin. Both have refractive indices above 1.5:




                            Refractive index and dispersion of butterfly chitin and bird keratin measured by polarizing interference microscopy



                            Using Jamin-Lebedeff interference microscopy, we measured the wavelength dependence of the refractive index of butterfly wing scales and bird feathers. The refractive index values of the glass scales of the butterfly Graphium sarpedon are, at wavelengths 400, 500 and 600 nm, 1.572, 1.552 and 1.541, and those of the feather barbules of the white goose Anas anas domestica are 1.569, 1.556 and 1.548, respectively.



                            abstract on PubMed




                            The only way for one transparent material to completely "disappear" inside another is for the refractive indices to match. As you can see, this won't happen.







                            share|improve this answer












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                            answered 36 mins ago









                            Dr Sheldon

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