Helianthus annuus, commonly known as sunflowers, were named for their tendency to turn towards the sun throughout the day, almost as if they’re sentient. This phenomenon, known as heliotropism, is not unique to sunflowers; most species of legumes also turn towards the sun. However, since the head of the sunflower is so prominent that you […]
Here comes the sun: How sunflowers tilt toward the light Read More »
There are few things more poetic than a flower blooming. Artists clamor to capture graceful petals peeling back into a blossom, yet despite mankind’s affinity for flora’s beauty, little is known about how it comes to be. It was initially suspected that petals would bend outwards because of internal stress building against the midrib (the
The equation for how flowers bloom Read More »
Upon first sight, transparent animals seem like ethereal creatures from alternate dimensions of the universe. However, thousands of species of transparent animals inhabit regions all across the world — mainly in marine habitats. These animals lack pigment, allowing light to pass through them and scatter instead of reflecting, which gives them their transparency. From the
A closer look at transparent animals — if only we can look! Read More »
As spring approaches, albeit slowly, the threat of allergies encroaches. Seasonal allergies, often due to pollen, leave the afflicted congested, with itchy eyes and more. These symptoms all stem from a common denominator: pollen, or in other words, plant sperm. The immune system is primed to maintain balance in the body by removing potential threats,
Tree sexism: Why — Achoo! — allergies get so bad Read More »
When considering endangered species, people often think of animals like the white rhino, polar bear, or dodo bird. What people often fail to consider is the fact that plants can be equally as susceptible to being endangered or going extinct, often from human impacts. Plants are just as vulnerable as animal species to the impacts
Seed banks: So humans can stop & smell the roses for generations to come Read More »
If you’ve taken a biology class, you’ve probably heard that “the mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell.” That phrase is etched into the memories of millions of schoolchildren. Still, their notoriety is well deserved; these little powerhouses sparked one of the most fundamental events in evolutionary history: the development of the eukaryotic cell. There
Mitochondria: The powerhouse of … life as we know it? Read More »
Of all species living in marine environments on Earth, the relatively inconspicuous starfish may appear to live a simple existence on the seafloor. However, these organisms demonstrate striking abilities to perceive their environment, one of many characteristics that has led to their success as a species. This success is evident in their diversity — there
Sensing the sea: Researching the adaptations of starfish Read More »
Mainstream media can’t seem to get enough of classic true crime. New shows constantly attempt to showcase crime from a unique angle in order to keep audiences engaged: how can they make their show original and compelling in comparison to countless others? Some networks turn to highlighting a subspecialty of crime that hasn’t historically been
Fifth grade science class taught us that chimpanzees are our closest living relatives, but what about other closely-related species who are no longer living? Through millions of years of evolution, Homo sapiens has come to dominate Earth as the only surviving hominid species. However, this wasn’t always the case, and our presence as the dominant
Weathering any storm: What it means to be human Read More »