Answer 1:
Yes, the digestive juices of a sea star can digest
human tissue as well because they contain enzymes,
which are proteins that capable of chopping up
other biomolecules. Since all organisms are made
up of the same building blocks, such as proteins,
sugars and fats, tissues made up of these building
blocks can be destroyed by the same chemical
processes. |
Answer 2:
The answer to your question is "perhaps". Although
there are exceptions, sea stars (asteroids)
typically feed on sessile (or attached)
invertebrate prey. Because they have limited
mobility, they cannot effectively feed on rapidly
moving species and rely on long periods of time
for their digestive enzymes to take effect. There
are, however, exceptions to this. In the North
Pacific, asteroid Stylasterias, the pedicellaria
(the small claw-like protrusions on the aboral
surface that predominantly function as an
anti-fouling mechanism) are so well developed that
they can easily immobilize a small fish that
ventures too close.
But now, back to your
original question. While the digestive enzymes
secreted by asteroids are probably capable of
digesting human flesh, I can't off hand think of
any volunteers that would be willing to
investigate the duration of exposure required to
do so. There have, however, been several reported
cases of asteroids "swarming" to animal carcasses
on the sea floor, everting their stomachs, and
rapidly (keep in mind that everything in asteroid
time is slow) skeletonizing the victim; quite an
eerie sight when viewed with time-lapse
photography . Click Here to return to the search form.
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