Lubricate (anatomy)

The grease is an anatomical structure of the animals made up of a layer of lubricating cells, still called Adipocyte S, located under the skin.

The greasy Substance inside the cells is a mixture of Triglycéride S It acts of a substance presenting an aspect solidified to ordinary temperature, unlike the fat contents of vegetable origin which generally take a liquid form (oil)

Biological roles

Grease is a fabric storing a great quantity of energy allowing the adaptation to more difficult periods.
La Migration at the Hirondelle is a very great effort asking for a great quantity of energy. From a few grams of grease accumulated during the summer, the bird is thus able to cross distances from several thousands of kilometers.
L' Brown bear accumulates in summer up to 180 to 200 kg of grease, holds in which it draws to hold the winter, period during which it becomes very lethargic. The Marmotte also accumulates a layer of grease in summer in order to be able to hold during all the season of the Hibernation.

When the Réserve of grease is insufficient, of in the fact of a bad season of nourrissage, the animal can die of exhaustion during its difficult period before achieving its goal. When its reserve of grease becomes too low, the Hérisson must imperatively take again a normal life (to leave the hibernation), whatever the weather and the temperature, and find food, under penalty of death. This implies that at the beginning of the hibernation, the hedgehog must weigh at least 450g.

Grease forms also an insulating layer against the cold, for the animals Homéotherme S, for example in the marine mammals (whale (Cétacé S), seals…)

At certain bovines (in particular zebus), there is development of a Bosse, kind of outgrowth on the back of the animal to the height of shoulders, which is a physiological structure ensuring an accumulation of grease. This energy reserve allows the animal an adaptation to the rigor of the dry seasons and periods of Disette S. At certain species of zebu the bump is falling and at others the bump is held right.

At the man

A fat Tissu is also present at the man. In the food company of opulence of today, it does not have any more a biological role also vital only at other animal species.

In the insects

At the Ant of red light, while waiting for that the first generation of workers, called minums , is able to provide for its food, the queen survives while drawing from her internal reserves of grease and energy coming from the destruction of her useless muscles of flight from now on.

Edible fat

In the livestock the such Pig, the grease which one calls the Lard, once treated by heating produces the Edible fat, largely used in kitchen.
Cette matter, made up of fatty-acid and deprived of the cellular elements, bears various names: lard…
On uses in breeding a Adipomètre to measure the quantity of grease of an animal starting from a cutaneous fold.

Other uses

Fishing with the Baleine was practiced in order to provide grease allowing the lighting.
On uses also the Suif for this use.

Pollution

Grease and the fatty-acids which it contains are able to accumulate the pesticides with character Lipophile, the heavy metals and other pollutants themselves accumulated by the preys which consumed by the animal (insects treated by insecticides for example). These poisons are salted out in the organization during the exhaustion of the reserves strongly affecting the chances of survival of the animal or its offspring.

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