this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2024
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Science Memes

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[–] protist@mander.xyz 112 points 8 months ago (20 children)

They have a reflective silver metallic appearance which is achieved through thin film interference within layers of chitin. These layers of the chitin coating are chirped (in layers of differing thicknesses), forming a complex multilayer as each layer decreases in depth; as the thickness changes, so too does the optical path-length. Each chirped layer is tuned to a different wavelength of light. The multilayer found on C. limbata reflects close to 97% of light across the visible wavelength range.

Nature is insane

[–] masterofn001@lemmy.ca -3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (17 children)

Like, how does nature know to manipulate quantum states and electromagnetism to achieve this result. Trial and error / random mutation /survival etc just doesn't explain why it happens.

That's a staggering amount of non trivial science/math stacked layer by layer. On a beetle.

For those giving me replies:

I'm asking more of a philosophical question.

Why are these things there in the first place.

I'm not asking his evolution works. I know how evolution works. I state that in my comment. Random mutations, survival, etc. Etc etc. Is how.

Why.

To say it is because it is isn't answering my question.

How and why does/could a random mutation play on the laws of physics in a meticulously optimized way to benefit itself. What is the method that would cause something to randomly say, today I think I'm going to make cells that act in such a way as to make me appear reflective, or transparent, or mimic the environment.

The result is because of evolution. OK. Good.

How do these processes which use quantum mechanics and wild optical physics become an innate part of nature to begin with.

[–] SurpriZe@lemm.ee 1 points 8 months ago

So what factors affect this then

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