Baleen
Baleen
Baleen (/bəˈliːn/; from Latin bālaena, meaning "whale") is a system of filter-feeding plates in the mouths of baleen whales.
Etymology
The term "baleen" originates from the Latin word bālaena, which translates to "whale". The word was adopted into English in the late 14th century.
Description
Baleen is made of keratin, the same protein that makes up human hair and nails. It consists of a series of plates that hang down from the upper jaw of certain species of whales, known as baleen whales. These plates act as a filter, allowing the whale to separate food from water.
Function
The primary function of baleen is to allow baleen whales to feed efficiently. The whale takes in a large mouthful of water and then closes its mouth. As it pushes the water out, small organisms such as krill and plankton are trapped by the baleen and swallowed.
Related Terms
- Baleen Whales: A group of whales that have baleen plates for filtering food from water.
- Krill: Small crustaceans that are a primary food source for many baleen whales.
- Plankton: Tiny organisms that float in the sea and are another primary food source for baleen whales.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Baleen
- Wikipedia's article - Baleen
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