...Parasitism is a highly specialized lifestyle adopted by various phyla. We can find examples of parasites in many different groups, especially in the Insecta phylum. Insects in general are a highly diverse group. In the group Hymenoptera there are multiple species of different parasitoids that possess their own sub-group spread across many super-families of Hymenoptera (Gauld, Bolton, 1988). The large number of species and the amount of diversity we see is incredible. Speciation is without a doubt present, however the type and exact processes involved with this groups’ diversity has only been speculated. The following essay discusses the various possibilities for speciation in this group and how the particular behavior of this group has played...
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...The Fossil Record and Theories of Evolution. Introduction In general, the term 'evolution' can imply a drastic orgradual change from a very broad perspective. Life on earth, the universe,galaxies, as also the earth in general have evolved through millions of years.In this essay we consider only one aspect of evolution emphasizing on evolutionas a biological tool for change among species and consider fossil record assupportive of both evolution theories and also the other theories contrary toevolution. Evolution is the central unifying concept, a theory thatsuccessfully connects biology, paleontology and other branches of science.Evolution is a gradual descent of organisms accompanied by changes that helpthe organisms to adjust and adapt to the surroundings. 'Descent withmodifications' as Darwin contended implies changes in organisms in successivegenerations (Mayr, 1976). These changes are triggered by the derivation of newspecies and there is a change in the properties of populations of organisms andthese properties tend to transcend the lifetime of any single individual. Newerspecies are modified versions of older species. Although, individual organisms do not biologically evolve,populations evolve when heritable genetic materials are transmitted from onegeneration to another. Biological evolution can range from very limited changesto drastic transformations on a large scale changing the entire speciesaltogether and bringing in new forms. Evolution can thus be defined asinheritable...
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...Session 1.3: The Evolution of Cellular Life Exam review view in a separate window In this session we focus on the natural history of cells and the evolutionary timelines of their appearance. The modern phylogenetic classification of domains is used to categorize the different types of cells: bacteria, archea, and eukarya. The names of periods and organisms and certain dates are often helpful in remembering or understanding events that occur in the natural history of evolution. However, we do not expect you to know the names of all organisms mentioned nor all dates (you may find some of the sound attachments on complicated figures useful for review). Those names and dates mentioned below are the ones to key on. The focus in this session is macroevolution which looks broadly at the time lines and changes over long intervals of time. Remember that small changes over millions of years are the framework for evolving complexity from simplicity. Summary of concepts and idea An initial step in covering this material is an understanding of the different types of cells (prokaryotic, eukaryotic animal and plant), their differences, and their place in the phylogeny of life. 1. Information from pre-class reading, Bioflix animations and briefly summarized in class discusses the fundamental components of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. You need to know the differences and understand the basic functions of the cellular components as cells as they are the fundamental...
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...“The longer you live the longer you should live” –Wiley “Evolution’s a bitch” –Wiley “Suckers are good to eat” –Wiley WHAT HAS EVOLUTION DONE FOR ME What has evolution done for me • Agricultural crops and animal breeding for the past 8,000 years • With the discovery of methods to reconstruct evolutionary relationships there is been a vast increase in the relevance of evolutionary biology to human society. Reconstructing Phylogenies • 1859-1950- No coherent empirical methods • 1950-1966- Emergence of Phylogenetic Systematics • Phylogeny by discovery of the order of evolutionary innovation Ribotyping • Fingerprinting or sequencing RNA • Many diseases have unknown causes • However, diseased tissues can be ribotyped. (Wiley Death Fish) • This process involves extracting DNA from diseased tissues and then sequencing the DNA that codes for rRNA. • If a disease agent such as a bacteria is present, then we will get ribosomal DNA sequences from the host (you) and the bacteria (the infection agent). Ribotyping: Phylogeny matching • Once we have the rDNA sequences, we can plug them into a sequence matrix of all life and see where our unknowns appear on the tree of life. Our Food Chain • Some products are easy to identify, but others are not. • A slab of fish fillet from a sea bass looks like a slab of sih fillet from a farmed Asian catfish. • But the sea bass costs $10/pound while the Asian catfish...
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...Naturwissenschaften (2004) 91:255–276 DOI 10.1007/s00114-004-0515-y REVIEW Ulrich Kutschera · Karl J. Niklas The modern theory of biological evolution: an expanded synthesis Published online: 17 March 2004 Springer-Verlag 2004 Abstract In 1858, two naturalists, Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, independently proposed natural selection as the basic mechanism responsible for the origin of new phenotypic variants and, ultimately, new species. A large body of evidence for this hypothesis was published in Darwin’s Origin of Species one year later, the appearance of which provoked other leading scientists like August Weismann to adopt and amplify Darwin’s perspective. Weismann’s neo-Darwinian theory of evolution was further elaborated, most notably in a series of books by Theodosius Dobzhansky, Ernst Mayr, Julian Huxley and others. In this article we first summarize the history of life on Earth and provide recent evidence demonstrating that Darwin’s dilemma (the apparent missing Precambrian record of life) has been resolved. Next, the historical development and structure of the “modern synthesis” is described within the context of the following topics: paleobiology and rates of evolution, mass extinctions and species selection, macroevolution and punctuated equilibrium, sexual reproduction and recombination, sexual selection and altruism, endosymbiosis and eukaryotic cell evolution, evolutionary developmental biology, phenotypic plasticity, epigenetic inheritance and...
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...is the presence of foreign substances (pollutants) in the atmosphere, emitted by industries and motor vehicles that cause damage to living organisms. Air pollution is the leading cause of several diseases. During the past few years, air pollution has emerged as one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Air Pollutants: Air Pollutants refer to the liquids, solids and gases that are not normal constituents of air. Presence of such substances beyond tolerable limits may be hazardous to plant, animal and human life. Air pollutants include oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur, halogenated and non-halogenated hydrocarbons, suspended inorganic particulate matters, inorganic and organic acids, insecticides, bacteria, viruses, etc. Also read: Essay on Environmental Pollution: Causes, Effects and Solution Characteristics: Air pollution characteristics in a particular region are influenced by: * The type and amount of pollutant and their source of emission. * The topographical and meteorological conditions affecting dispersion, concentration and trans-boundary transport of pollutants. * The type of technology and various raw materials used in the manufacturing process and the type and quantum of emissions. * The extent of industrialization and population density. Sources of air pollutants Major sources of air pollution includes both natural sources and man-made source (anthropogenic). A. Natural sources: The natural sources of air pollutants includes volcanic eruptions, forest...
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...Stress is defined as a state of physical and psychological fatigue of the individual, caused by an excess of work, emotional disorders or anxiety. Even though in some occasions, stress could be considered as the motor in people’s lives, it is, before anything else, one of the human being’s fiercest enemies. In the face of stress, the human organism reacts in the biological aspect as well as in the psychological aspect. This disorder is better known nowadays as the “Sickness of the twenty-first century” given that it seems to be the price to pay tin order to achieve goals these days. Stress is most common in students and workers nowadays, which is why the following essay will expose some of the consequences of underestimating the seriousness of stress in an individual, in a work place and in a society of the twenty-first century and some ways to manage and prevent it. Stress is manifested nowadays more frequently that one would imagine. People should start to think how frequently do they and people around them use the phrases “I am so stressed out” or “I’ve been feeling so stressed lately”. The answer would most likely be “too frequent”. Actually, stress seems to be infiltrating in each and every person’s life. The time that people spend stressing over an assignment, especially students, is inhumane. There is nothing wrong with taking two minutes and eat something or relax. Otherwise, that’s where stress begins to kick in. Stress has begun to take away peoples lives. Even...
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...MULTIPLECHOICE SECTION INSTRUCTIONS: Read all instructions carefully. Please answer all questions. Each question is worth 0.5 points. The Multiple Choice section is worth 40 points. **Do not enter your answers here.** Type in the letter you select as the best answer on the Answer Sheet provided by your instructor. 1. Which of these would be a valid hypothesis? A) Human history is determined by a series of supernatural events. B) Humans should help in the conservation of other animal species. C) Humans are controlled by forces beyond our understanding. D) Humans and bacteria share a common genetic code. 2. In the scientific method, a hypothesis . E) is a statement of fact F) can only be tested once G) is usually proven to be correct H) is a proposed explanation based on observations I) none of the above 3. What is the correct sequence of steps in the scientific method? I. State the problem II. Analyze and interpret the data III. Share the results with other scientists IV. Develop a hypothesis V. Design and perform an experiment to test the hypothesis A) I → II → III → IV → V B) III → I → V → II → IV C) V →IV → III → II → I D) I → IV → V → II → III E) V → II → I → III → IV 4. To test a hypothesis about a given variable, experimental and control groups are tested in parallel. Which of the following best explains the dual experiments...
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... In particular, I will be focusing on Borneo Rainforest, which is the oldest rainforest in the world. The island is divided among three countries (figure 1): Malaysia and Brunei in the north, and Indonesia to the south. Approximately 73% of the island is Indonesian territory. In the north, the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak make up about 26% of the island. Climate is the average weather the region receives over a 30 year period. Climate can be on a global scale or a local scale, for instance where it is mountainous more rainfall is generated therefore that region sees a different climate to perhaps a neighbouring region. Aspect and altitude also affects climate, which will be explored in greater detail. The purpose of this essay is to explore whether the natural, climatic factors have influenced the characteristics of the rainforest, or whether humans have had an influence on it. I will be focusing in the current day characteristics to start off with, and after establishing these I will then describe the climatic responses and human responses, to see how they relate to the characteristics evident. I will then bring my findings together and conclude both the ecocentric and technocentric views and comment on which I find more influential on the...
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...2 AQA BIOL5: The synoptic essay AQA A2 Biology: Writing the Synoptic Essay by Dr Robert Mitchell CT Publications Copyright © Dr Robert Mitchell 2010 www.ctpublications.co.uk 0800 040 7901 Dr Robert Mitchell A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 978-1-907769-02-3 First published in May 2010 by CT Publications Copyright © Dr Robert Mitchell 2010 The right of Robert Mitchell to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright and Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher at the address below. Published in 2010 by CT Publications* 40 Higher Bridge Street Bolton Greater Manchester BL1 2HA Edition 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 *CT Publications is owned by Chemistry Tutorials located at the same address. Copyright © Dr Robert Mitchell 2010 www.biologytutorials.co.uk 0800 040 7901 3 4 AQA BIOL5: The synoptic essay CONTENTS 1. Be aware of the task you face ............................................................................ 6 What is Synoptic? ........................................................................................... 6 Will I have to learn everything? ..............
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...What is Anthropology??? • • • 20:41 Anthropology • Scientific Approach, OBJECTIVE • Study of Humankind- human groups • Seeks to produce useful GENERALIZATIONS about people and their BEHAVIORS • To arrive at an UNBIASED UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN DIVERSITY • Only scientific discipline that attempts to embrace an understanding of all of humanity • Helps us understand ourselves an others Anthropology Perspectives • Holistic Approach (broadest view) o To view things in the broadest possible contest o To cover the whole scope of humanity o To provide a total or composite view o Human culture as a system, functional whole, all parts relate o Biocultural Perspective Studies both the PHYSICAL and SOCIAL EX: kuru disease (neurological disease)- disease caused by culture, transmitted by mortuary practices • Cultural Relativism o To view the beliefs and customs of other peoples within the context of their culture not one’s own o Practice of not judging other cultures based on the standards of one’s own culture o ENDOCENTRISM Group centeredness Tendency to see ones own culture as the center of everything The measure or standard against which all other lifeways are evaluated Tendency to consider ones own culture as superior or better than all others o Anthropologists must be unbiased, objective o Involves an effort to remain unbiased in ones observations o Acknowledges that cultures are DIFFERENT, but NOT RANKED o No right or wrong cultures...
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...National Curriculum Statement (NCS) Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement LIFE SCIENCES Further Education and Training Phase Grades 10-12 basic education Department: Basic Education REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA CurriCulum and assessment PoliCy statement Grades 10-12 life sCienCes CAPS LIFE SCIENCES GRADES 10-12 department of Basic education 222 Struben Street Private Bag X895 Pretoria 0001 South Africa Tel: +27 12 357 3000 Fax: +27 12 323 0601 120 Plein Street Private Bag X9023 Cape Town 8000 South Africa Tel: +27 21 465 1701 Fax: +27 21 461 8110 Website: http://www.education.gov.za © 2011 department of Basic education isBn: 978-1-4315-0578-4 Design and Layout by: Ndabase Printing Solution Printed by: Government Printing Works CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT POLICY STATEMENT (CAPS) LIFE SCIENCES GRADES 10-12 FOREWORD by thE ministER Our national curriculum is the culmination of our efforts over a period of seventeen years to transform the curriculum bequeathed to us by apartheid. From the start of democracy we have built our curriculum on the values that inspired our Constitution (Act 108 of 1996). the Preamble to the Constitution states that the aims of the Constitution are to: • heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights; improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person; lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which...
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...CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination CAPE ® BIOLOGY SYLLABUS Effective for examinations from May/June 2008 CXC A10/U2/07 Published by the Caribbean Examinations Council All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the author or publisher. Correspondence related to the syllabus should be addressed to: The Pro-Registrar Caribbean Examinations Council Caenwood Centre 37 Arnold Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica, W.I. Telephone: (876) 630-5200 Facsimile Number: (876) 967-4972 E-mail address: cxcwzo@cxc.org Website: www.cxc.org Copyright © 2007, by Caribbean Examinations Council The Garrison, St Michael BB14038, Barbados CXC A10/U2/07 ii Contents RATIONALE.....................................................................................................................................................1 AIMS ..................................................................................................................................................................1 SKILLS AND ABILITIES TO BE ASSESSED ...............................................................................................2 PRE-REQUISITES OF THE SYLLABUS .......................................................................................................5 STRUCTURE...
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...These pages were downloaded from Writing Personal Statements Online, available at https://www.e-education.psu.edu/writingpersonalstatementsonline/ Short Personal Statement by a Geology Student Growing up in Canada with a life-long fascination for Canadian geography, I have always been interested in returning to the country. Although my family moved to the US before I entered high school, I have always kept my eyes turned north, especially in recent years as I began to read journal articles about research conducted on John Evans Glacier, located about 80° N latitude. Graduating next semester with a B.S. in computer science and engineering and a minor in geographic information systems, I am interested in attending the University of Alberta for graduate study. Geographic information systems (GIS) is a field especially suited to investigating spatial patterns, modeling diverse scenarios, and overlaying spatial data. This semester, in my advanced GIS course, Spatial Data Structures and Algorithms, I am part of a team developing a temporal database and program for tracing historical trading data. My computer science skills have also been put to use in two summer internship projects, where I acquired proficiency with using LIDAR (light detection and ranging) technology, now favored by NASA in its current 10-year study of Greenland and changes in the ice cap extent. Through my coursework and project experience, I have also accrued skills...
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...Chaotic Growth with the Logistic Model of P.-F. Verhulst Hugo Pastijn Department of Mathematics, Royal Military Academy B-1000 Brussels, Belgium Hugo.Pastijn@rma.ac.be Summary. Pierre-Fran¸ois Verhulst was born 200 years ago. After a short biograc phy of P.-F. Verhulst in which the link with the Royal Military Academy in Brussels is emphasized, the early history of the so-called “Logistic Model” is described. The relationship with older growth models is discussed, and the motivation of Verhulst to introduce different kinds of limited growth models is presented. The (re-)discovery of the chaotic behaviour of the discrete version of this logistic model in the late previous century is reminded. We conclude by referring to some generalizations of the logistic model, which were used to describe growth and diffusion processes in the context of technological innovation, and for which the author studied the chaotic behaviour by means of a series of computer experiments, performed in the eighties of last century by means of the then emerging “micro-computer” technology. 1 P.-F. Verhulst and the Royal Military Academy in Brussels In the year 1844, at the age of 40, when Pierre-Fran¸ois Verhulst on November c 30 presented his contribution to the “M´moires de l’Acad´mie” of the young e e Belgian nation, a paper which was published the next year in “tome XVIII” with the title: “Recherches math´matiques sur la loi d’accroissement de la e population” (mathematical investigations of the law of...
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