BiologyFeather – Parts, Usage, Types, Function, Structure and Characteristics

Feather – Parts, Usage, Types, Function, Structure and Characteristics

What is Feather?

  • Feathers are the epidermal outgrowth that form the distinctive external covering of birds. They are also found on some non-avian theropod dinosaurs (a group of bipedal, carnivorous dinosaurs including, for example, Tyrannosaurus and Velociraptor), and a few primitive mammals, such as Megazostrodon and Eomaia.
  • Feathers are typically blade-like, and are used in flight, insulation, and display. They form the contour feathers of birds and the hair-like feathers of mammals.
  • The word “feather” is also used to describe a similar structure on the body of some invertebrates, such as the pterosaur.

Feather - Parts, Usage, Types, Function, Structure and Characteristics

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    Human Usage of Feathers

    • Feathers have been used by humans for various purposes throughout history. They have been used for insulation, as decorations, and as a source of material for making various objects.
    • The first known use of feathers for insulation was by the ancient Egyptians. They would stuff feathers into the mattresses that they used to sleep on. The use of feathers for insulation became more widespread in the 18th and 19th centuries, when they were used in jackets, hats, and gloves.
    • Feathers have also been used as decorations for centuries. The ancient Egyptians used them to decorate their headdresses, and the Native Americans used them to decorate their clothing and hair. Today, feathers are often used as part of the decoration for hats, dresses, and other clothing items.
    • Feathers have also been used to make a variety of objects, such as fans, umbrellas, and hats. The first known example of a hat made from feathers was from the ancient Egyptians. They would take the feathers from the wings of hawks and use them to make hats for their kings and queens. Feathers are still used to make hats today, often for special occasions such as weddings.

    About Feather

    Feathercoin is a digital currency that uses peer-to-peer technology to operate with no central authority or banks. It is open source, and anyone can participate. Feathercoin is based on Litecoin, so it inherits the features of Litecoin, such as fast transactions and minimal transaction fees. Feathercoin also has several unique features that make it stand out from other digital currencies. These features include:

    • Advanced Checkpointing: Feathercoin uses a checkpointing system to protect against attacks and to ensure that transactions are processed in the correct order.
    • Proof of Work Algorithm: Feathercoin uses the NeoScrypt proof of work algorithm, which is more efficient and secure than the SHA-256 algorithm used by Bitcoin.
    • Smaller Block Size: Feathercoin’s blocks are smaller than Bitcoin’s, which allows for faster transactions and lower transaction fees.
    • Distributed Mining: Feathercoin is a distributed network, so anyone can participate in the mining process.

    Parts of a Feather

    A feather is made up of a shaft and barbs. The shaft is the center of the feather and the barbs stick out from the sides. The barbs have hooks that help keep the feather in place.

    Structures and Characteristics of Carbohydrates

    • Structurally, carbohydrates are either monosaccharides, disaccharides, or polysaccharides. Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrate and are typically sweet-tasting. The most common monosaccharide is glucose, which is the primary energy source for the body’s cells. Disaccharides are composed of two monosaccharides and are typically less sweet than monosaccharides. The most common disaccharide is sucrose, which is the sugar found in table sugar. Polysaccharides are composed of three or more monosaccharides and are the most complex form of carbohydrate. They are often fibrous and are the primary component of plant cell walls.
    • Carbohydrates are also classified by their structure. Simple carbohydrates are composed of one or two monosaccharides and are the most easily digested. Complex carbohydrates are composed of three or more monosaccharides and are harder to digest.
    • The chemical structure of a carbohydrate determines how it is digested and absorbed. Monosaccharides and disaccharides are digested and absorbed by the body in their entirety. Polysaccharides, on the other hand, are broken down into their component monosaccharides before being digested and absorbed. This is why polysaccharides are harder to digest than monosaccharides and disaccharides.

    Types of Feathers

    There are two types of feathers: contour feathers and down feathers.

    • Contour feathers are the feathers that cover the bird’s body and are used for flight and insulation. They are generally stiff and have a sharp point at the end.
    • Down feathers are the fluffy feathers that are found under the contour feathers. They are used for insulation and are very soft.

    Functions of Feathers

    • Feathers have a number of functions, the most important of which are insulation, flight, and waterproofing.
    • Insulation feathers keep the bird warm in cold weather and help cool the bird in hot weather.
    • Flight feathers are specially adapted for flying and include a strong central shaft and a series of asymmetrical branches.
    • Waterproofing feathers keep the bird’s body dry by repelling water.
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