RE: Archaeopteryx had black feathers

[evelyn sobielski <koreke77@yahoo.de>]

> Now how does that work when the
> melanin is restricted to the contents of melanosomes? In
> other words, how can it cross-link the keratin that makes up
> the feather structure if the melanin is only inside the
> capsule - like melanosome? perhaps there is also melanin
> outside the melanosomes?

IIRC the melanosomes are formed when the melanin polymerizes (ie the melanin 
inside is already polymers, not amorphous). They (as a structural component in 
the keratin matrix) are part or most of the stabilizing effect; the polymers 
themselves are on the molecular scale and have an effect on the macro scale 
only as aggregates.

For a very coarse analogy, think about cement and concrete (cement + pebbles).
For a parallel but unrelated phenomenon that is similar on the molecular scale, 
think sickle cell anemia (RBC shape distorted by agggregates of 
sickle-hemoglobin polymers, blood inside vessels more "viscous" on macro scale)

Eike

PS: what was the specimen analyzed?