Abstract
Feeding is a necessary activity of the organism to obtain energy for its survival and, as a species member, for its reproduction. In the preceding chapters a great deal has been described of the astonishing diversity of ways in which organisms cope with the problem of obtaining food. Some authors complain that because of this diversity a general theory for the feeding mechanism is still lacking, either for the group which they are studying or for vertebrates in general, notwithstanding the vast amount of knowledge about the structure and function of the feeding system. Others characterize the situation as the outcome of opportunism, a feature quite common in various processes in living structures. Both opinions warrant further discussion as to whether there is a general principle or theory which will explain the feeding process and its diversity.
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Dullemeijer, P. (1994). Conclusion: A General Theory for Feeding Mechanics?. In: Bels, V.L., Chardon, M., Vandewalle, P. (eds) Biomechanics of Feeding in Vertebrates. Advances in Comparative and Environmental Physiology, vol 18. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-57906-6_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-57906-6_12
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