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Muscle Structure and Physiology: The Science of Meat and Poultry…
Muscle Structure and Physiology: The Science of Meat and Poultry Processing
Characteristics of poultry
Ducks
The legs are adapted to an aquatic habitat by being webbed
The beak is broad and has evolved for a marshy habitat
Domesticated turkeys
The feet and toes of chickens and turkeys are designed to walk and perch on branches unlike ducks and other waterfowl
Intense selection for heavy musculature has resulted in a bird that is almost flightless
Pigeons
Large wings in relation to body size are used for flying long distances and gliding
Chicken
Wings can be used for flight but only for very short periods to escape predators
The general structure of a chicken skeleton is similar to that of many avian species
The pectoral muscles that support the wings are quite developed, and more so in birds that have been selected for heavy musculature
Muscle tissue
Types of tissue in birds
Connective, epithelial, nervous and muscular tissue
Quality problems, e.g., PSE meat due to stress or cold shortening
Muscle tissue represents the largest edible part of the animal of importance to meat processors and consumer
Characteristics
They vary in size from small muscles to very large muscles
Muscle tissue is the most important in terms of poultry meat consumption
The so-called white and dark meats in chickens and turkeys correspond to breast and thigh meat
Body and structure of the bird
Adaptation to flight
Air sacs that allow air flow in one direction only, optimizing breathing
Lightweight and aerodynamic skeleton structure to reduce air resistance
Development of feathers covering the body and the absence of sweat glands in the skin
Comparison with mammals
Modifications to the wings, which have a bone structure similar to mammalian limbs, but specifically adapted for flight.
Variability in the number of vertebrae according to the species: for example, chickens may have between 16 and 17 vertebrae in the neck.
Respiratory system of birds
Nine air sacs in the domestic chicken
Clavicular, cervical, thoracic, abdominal
These air sacs act as extensions of the bronchi, and some are connected to the bird's long bones to form pneumatic bones, which are lighter and aid in flight.
Function
Facilitates flight, some sacs connect with long bones
Unidirectional air flow
The oxygen flows in one direction only
The respiratory system of birds is unique because oxygen-rich air flows through the lungs and air sacs in only one direction.
This differs from the respiratory system of mammals where air flow is bidirectional.