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Evolutionary biologists have postulated evolutionary accounts of these traits. <ref>[http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/bombardier.html Bombardier Beetles and the Argument of Design by Mark Isaak, 1997]</ref>
Evolutionary biologists have postulated evolutionary accounts of these traits. <ref>[http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/bombardier.html Bombardier Beetles and the Argument of Design by Mark Isaak, 1997]</ref>
Cells in the beetle secrete hydroquinones and hydrogen peroxide which collect in a reservoir that opens through a valve controlled by a muscle into a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber has thick walls lined with cells secreting catalases and peroxidases. When the hydroquinones and hydrogen peroxide are forced through the valve into the reaction chamber, the hydrogen peroxide is broken down by the catalases and peroxidases and oxidized into p-quinones. This process releases free oxygen and generates heat that brings the mixture to boiling point and vaporizes about 20% of it.
The heat and vapor creates pressure that forces the valve closed, and squirts the chemicals through openings at the tip of the abdomen.
Hydrogen peroxide and hydroquinone do not explode spontaneously, as creationist writers have sometimes claimed, if mixed without a chemical inhibitor.<ref>Dawkins, Richard, 1987. The Blind Watchmaker, Norton, NY p. 86-87</ref> The liquid explodes inside the beetle. This is the reason that its force can be directed against a threat. If the liquid exploded outside the beetle, it would be a less effective defence because the beetle would not be able to direct its force against its attacker. <ref>Aneshansley, Daniel J. & T. Eisner, 1969. Biochemistry at 100C: explosive secretory discharge of bombardier beetles (Brachinus). Science 165: 61-63.</ref><ref> Aneshansley, D.J., T.H. Jones, D. Alsop, J. Meinwald, & T. Eisner, 1983. Thermal concomitants and biochemistry of the explosive discharge mechanism of some little known bombardier beetles. Experientia 39: 366-368</ref><ref> Eisner, Thomas, George E. Ball, Braden Roach, Daniel J. Aneshansley, Maria Eisner, Curtis L. Blankespoor, & Jerrold Meinwald, 1989. Chemical defense of an Ozaenine bombardier beetle from New Guinea. Psyche 96: 153-160.</ref>
== References ==
== References ==
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