prostacyclin (ËprÉstÉËsaÉªklÉªn) n (Biochemistry) biochem any of several prostaglandins produced in the blood vessels, causing vasodilation and inhibiting platelet aggregation. prosâ¢taâ¢cyâ¢clin (ËprÉs tÉËsaÉª klÉªn) n. a prostaglandin, C20H32O5, that specifically inhibits the formation of blood clots.
This article is about the animal. For other uses, see Otter (disambiguation). Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. Lutrinae is a branch of the weasel family Mustelidae, which also includes badgers, honey badgers, martens, minks, polecats, and wolverines.
The adult sea otter is the smallest marine mammal and it is an endangered species. Sea otters are also the only marine mammal that does not have a layer of blubber to keep it warm.Instead, their thick fur insulates them and keeps their body around 100 degrees.nder each forearm, the sea otter has baggy folds of skin. The otters store food in these folds. They also store their favorite rocks. They use these rocks to break open mollusks and clams for food. Otters can crack open sea urchins and crabs with just their teeth.