Why do some sea stars lose an arm and grow it back?
Quick Answer
Sea stars can regenerate lost arms because their bodies are built with strong regenerative tissues and distributed organs. In some species, even a detached arm can regrow part or all of the body if it includes the central disc.
The Full Story
Sea stars are famous for regeneration, a trait that helps them survive predators, injury, and rough surf. Their bodies are organized with repeated structures, and many tissues can rebuild missing parts over time. In some species, an arm must include part of the central disc to regenerate a whole new sea star, but the ability still makes them exceptionally resilient. Regeneration can take months or longer depending on species, size, and temperature. This capacity has made sea stars an important model for studying regeneration in marine biology.
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