Microscopy Primer
Light and Color
Microscope Basics
Special Techniques
Digital Imaging
Confocal Microscopy
Live-Cell Imaging
Photomicrography
Microscopy Museum
Virtual Microscopy
Fluorescence
Web Resources
License Info
Image Use
Custom Photos
Partners
Site Info
Contact Us
Publications
Home

The Galleries:

Photo Gallery
Silicon Zoo
Pharmaceuticals
Chip Shots
Phytochemicals
DNA Gallery
Microscapes
Vitamins
Amino Acids
Birthstones
Religion Collection
Pesticides
BeerShots
Cocktail Collection
Screen Savers
Win Wallpaper
Mac Wallpaper
Movie Gallery

Polarized Light Microscopy Digital Image Gallery

Cat Hair

Cats are generally believed to have been first domesticated by the Egyptians some 5,000 years ago to help control rodent populations around granaries. Since that time their relationship with humans has been extremely varied, ranging from their veneration as deities to persecution as witches.

View a second image of Cat Hair

Despite their long history of domestication, cats, unlike domestic dogs, are still quite able to resort to a self-reliant lifestyle if needed. This is believed to be primarily due to the fact that cats, which are solitary animals in nature, have never been subjugated to the extent of canine species, which are pack animals that naturally defer to a leader. Dogs have also been domesticated for a much longer period of time than cats, their relationship with man beginning as many as 50,000 years ago.

The genetic variability of cats does not compare with that of dogs, which may be so different in some cases, such as in that of a miniature poodle and a mastiff, that it is hard to believe that the individuals represent the same animal. Indeed, most cat breeds are chiefly distinguished by differences in the texture and color of the fur, rather than by body type, size, or shape. The Persian and the Himalayan, for instance, are both long-haired breeds, but the Persian may exhibit a wide variety of colors, while the Himalayan is white or cream colored with the dark markings at the extremities that are typically associated with the short-haired Siamese cat. A hairless cat called the Sphynx is a mutant variety, as is the curly-coated Devon Rex.


BACK TO THE HAIRS GALLERY

BACK TO THE POLARIZED LIGHT GALLERY

Questions or comments? Send us an email.
© 1998-2022 by Michael W. Davidson and The Florida State University. All Rights Reserved. No images, graphics, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders. Use of this website means you agree to all of the Legal Terms and Conditions set forth by the owners.
This website is maintained by our
Graphics & Web Programming Team
in collaboration with Optical Microscopy at the
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Last modification: Friday, Nov 13, 2015 at 02:19 PM
Access Count Since November 20, 2003: 16634
For more information on microscope manufacturers,
use the buttons below to navigate to their websites: