As the internal organs are soft and the shell is hard, how is the shell expanded without generating excessive pressure on their internal organs.
2006-10-24 10:48:58 · 12 answers · asked by wizatronic 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
The shell is made of bony plates covered with a protein that's similar to your fingernails. The protein covering is flexible.
The bony plates can grow and expand along the edges. As they do, more of the protein covering is secreted. On the upper part of the shell, the protein covering will look like it has "growth rings."
2006-10-24 11:42:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As someone has said: the shell is tissue like your fingernails (although fingernails are NOT living tissue, but dead (as, incidently, is your hair) and I assume the same for shells).
I think that between each octagon (or is it hexagon?) on the shell there is a join. It is from these joins that the new tissue comes, just as new fingernail tissue grows under the skin where you can't quite see it.
2006-10-24 11:02:07 · answer #2 · answered by Steve-Bob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And the Northern tortoises have cut-out calendar pictures of Yorkshire Terriers with plastic gold-effect frames.
2016-03-28 06:28:02 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think of it like a child growing up with soft skin around a hard bone (only in reverse).
As everything grows slowly and together, it works.
2006-10-24 11:19:47 · answer #4 · answered by Mike Smith UK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Had 4 babies hatched four weeks ago ! they grow the shells at the same rate as their insides they are born with shells in tact and are wonderfull to see hatching they should out live as all if things go as they should. I have nine adults who all grow !! outside and inside lol
2006-10-24 12:03:37 · answer #5 · answered by ninja 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same as an oyster the shell grows with them a tortoise shell is like your fingernails.
2006-10-24 11:00:57 · answer #6 · answered by Crazy Diamond 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont be soft... they grow together.. the shell is living tissue like your finger nails.. unless your daft enough to think its the pressure that makes its head pop out.... unless your on the toilet.. and that turtles head does pop out under pressure
2006-10-24 10:55:34 · answer #7 · answered by rob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Steve Bob
2006-10-25 06:54:16 · answer #8 · answered by ann.inspain 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every so often a guy comes round and will upgrade your shell for you for only £11.99 a month
2006-10-24 10:51:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your finger and tow nails grow.
2006-10-24 12:26:10 · answer #10 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋