Evolving with skin stronger than bone

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the theoretical possibility of an organism evolving skin that is stronger than bone, particularly in a humanoid context. Participants explore biological implications, evolutionary strategies, and the feasibility of such adaptations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the biological sense of a humanoid with skin stronger than bone, seeking theoretical insights.
  • Another participant mentions that many insects utilize an exoskeleton as a survival strategy, which serves as an external skeleton.
  • A participant clarifies that an exoskeleton is indeed a type of skeleton, just located externally.
  • There is a discussion about the properties of human-like skin, with one participant suggesting the idea of skin that is rubbery and elastic, yet stronger than bone.
  • Concerns are raised about the implications of having skin stronger than bone, including potential injury to tendons and muscles during movement.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the possibility of a material being softer than skin yet harder than bone, likening it to an impossible density comparison.
  • A question is posed about whether tougher skin would necessitate stronger bones to support it, with a response indicating that evolutionary changes depend on environmental requirements.
  • Another participant argues that evolving tougher skin might limit mobility, suggesting that such an adaptation may not be practical.
  • Examples of animals like turtles and armadillos are mentioned as potential evidence that such adaptations could occur under the right circumstances, though concerns about load-bearing properties of elastic materials are noted.
  • A participant asserts that evolution would not favor a species that injures itself through movement, suggesting that natural selection would prevent such a scenario.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the feasibility and implications of evolving skin stronger than bone, with no consensus reached on the practicality of such adaptations or the biological mechanisms involved.

Contextual Notes

Discussions include assumptions about material properties, evolutionary pressures, and the biological functions of skin and bone, which remain unresolved.

Physics quest
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Is it possible for an organism to evolve with skin stronger than bone? theoretically? As in, a humanoid only instead of strong bones, it has strong skin? Would that make sense biologically?

Thank you for any aid!
 
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I don't know about a humanoid, but this is part of the survival strategy of many insects. It's called an exoskeleton.
 
Technically though is not the exoskeleton a skeleton? Just its on the outside rather than inside?
 
Yes, and it serves as their skin. This is what you were, asking no? Whether an organism can evolve with a strong skin to support its form rather than an internal skeleton?
 
Aye I suppose, when I say skin i was thinking of like human skin, I was wondering if something would have human skin with similar properties to skin, e.g. a rubbery/elastic healing substance that has higher tensile strength/pressure resistance than bone.

Like would it be possible for a persons endoskeleton to evolve softer than their skin, which would be comparatively harder to bone? Would said entity injure itself upon moving because would its skin, if stronger than bone and muslce rip those tendons and what not on movement?

Sorry for weird question, just something I was thinking of.
 
I'm not sure it is possible to have any material that is softer than skin and harder than bone. This is like saying it is more dense than steel but less dense than water.
 
So if humans constantly physically evolved and a byproduct of that was their skin was tougher, eventually would bones have to grow to support the toughness of the skin?
 
I don't know. It depends on the requirements of their environments. I don't see evolving tougher skin as practical, as it would limit mobility.

Pick up a copy of Campbell's "Biology" if you would like to explore the topic more seriously.
 
Thanks Crador, may well do that and thank you again for your aid.
 
  • #10
Physics quest said:
Aye I suppose, when I say skin i was thinking of like human skin, I was wondering if something would have human skin with similar properties to skin, e.g. a rubbery/elastic healing substance that has higher tensile strength/pressure resistance than bone.

Like would it be possible for a persons endoskeleton to evolve softer than their skin, which would be comparatively harder to bone?

Well, just look at turtles, armadillos, and other similar animals. It certainly appears that this could happen given the right circumstances. I'm not sure the skin would retain all the properties you're asking about, as the it would need to resist deformation enough to support the person's wait. It's hard to make good load bearing structures out of material that has high elasticity.

Would said entity injure itself upon moving because would its skin, if stronger than bone and muslce rip those tendons and what not on movement?

Evolution isn't going to evolve a species who injure themselves just by moving, so no, that's not going to happen. (At least, not by natural selection)
 

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