Skip to main contentReport an accessibility problemASU HomeMy ASUColleges and Schools
Sign In
Arizona State UniversityArizona State University
Ask A Biologist
  • Home
  • Activities
    • Activities Overview
    • Biology Bits
    • Bird Finder
    • Body Depot
    • Coloring Pages
    • Experiments and Activities
    • Games and Simulations
    • How To
    • Puzzles
    • Quizzes
    • Virtual Reality (VR)
  • Stories
    • Stories Overview
    • World of Biology
    • Meet Our Biologists
    • Listen and Watch
    • PLOSable Biology
    • Embryo Tales
    • EvMed Edits
    • Stories in Other Languages
  • Images
    • Zoom Gallery
    • Ugly Bug Galleries
  • Links
  • Contact
    • Ask a Question
    • Top Questions
    • Question Guidelines
    • Feedback
    • Permissions
    • Information Collected
    • Author and Artist Notes
    • Volunteer
  • About
    • About
    • Credits
    • Donate
    • Articles & News
    • Awards
    • Our Volunteers
    • Teacher Toolbox
    • Share Ask A Biologist
Give
Looking for the legacy site? Click here
  • Ask A Question
  • Teacher's Toolbox
  • Listen and Watch
Ask A Biologist Logo
Page 1 of 10

Question 1

What is the central shaft of a feather called?

Answer

Barb

Barbule

Quill

Rachis
National Science Foundation

Ask A Biologist funded in part by the
National Science Foundation
and NSDL

School of Life Sciences Arizona State University
Facebook Social Media Icon X / Twitter Social Media Icon Instagram Social Media Icon YouTube Social Media Icon
School of Life Sciences

Contact Us

Contribute

Content
Stories Activities Images Games Virtual Reality (VR) Ask An Anthropologist Ask An Earth and Space Scientist
Tools
Ask A Question Teacher Toolbox Feedback
Usage
Guidelines Licensing and Permissions Participation
Acknowledgements
National Science Foundation Credits
Maps and Locations Jobs Directory Contact ASU My ASU
Repeatedly ranked #1 in innovation (ASU ahead of MIT and Stanford), sustainability (ASU ahead of Stanford and UC Berkeley), and global impact (ASU ahead of MIT and Penn State)
Copyright and Trademark Accessibility Privacy Terms of Use Emergency