Week 3- Entry 4, Ecology Question 2

Submitted by aswan on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 17:56

In biome 2 the temperature pattern is quite unique when held alongside the biomes of Earth. The average annual temperature sits around 3 degrees Celsius which when compared to biomes present on Earth is somewhat close in nature to temperate deciduous forests (average annual temperature usually around 7.6 degrees Celsius), yet this biome is still on average colder. The overall pattern while it does follow that of the other temperate biomes (forest and grassland) in directionationality and cold winters, it does not reach the same heights. Precipitation follows a consistent pattern similar to the deciduous forest, however the levels of precipitation are on par with that of a rainforest, having almost double the amount of total annual precipitation when compared to a deciduous forest. These two factors of precipitation and temperature would most likely lend themselves to a highly unique environment that would have seasonal changes and at points freezing temperatures with massive amounts of moisture.

 

Week 3- Entry 3, Ecology

Submitted by aswan on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 17:55

For biome 1 the temperature pattern is quite similar to that of temperate shrublands and woodlands. In this mysterious biome, through the winter months of December, January, and February (in respect to the northern hemisphere) temperature is typically lower when compared to the summer months of May, June, July, and August in which temperatures reach approximately 25 degrees Celsius. This most closely mirrors the change in temperature of the temperate shrublands and woodlands, with the temperature change being extremely similar in pattern and nature, alongside the fact that the temperatures themselves are only marginally different. Even comparing the average annual temperature of this biome 13 degrees Celsius, to the average annual temperature of Gerona, Spain, which is decidedly a temperate shrubland and woodland and has an average annual temperature of 16.7 degrees Celsius the 3 degree Celsius difference is small.

 

Precipitation wise this biome on the newly discovered planet is almost an average between that of temperate shrublands and woodlands and savanna. The total annual precipitation of Coxim, Brazil a tropical forest and savanna is 1,493mm, and the total annual precipitation of Gerona, Spain is 747mm. When these two total annual precipitation rates are averaged a total annual precipitation of 1120mm which is relatively close to the total annual precipitation of the alien planet which rests at 1024mm . The precipitation pattern is also reflective in ways of these two different biomes, this new biome experiences a significant drop off during the summer months which occurs in both the temperate shrublands and woodlands and the savanna which typically reflects a dry season.

 

Temperature and precipitation in this new biome interact together in this environment to create a significant dry season. While precipitation is high in the non-summer months when temperature is relatively cool, sufficient for plant growth, during the summer months when temperature rises precipitation drops drastically. This drop in precipitation has serious implications for the biome with increased occurrence of droughts and fires and come along with rising temperatures.

 

This biome is most likely relatively close in nature to temperate shrublands and woodlands found here on Earth. The combination of its temperature and precipitation patterns lend themselves to a biome that has a significant summer,dry season and wet,colder winters that affect plant life. Evergreen-like shrubs and trees most likely are found across this landscape due to their ability to survive dry, hot summers with tough leaves which are able to grow and photosynthesize even under dry conditions. Fires would also be a prevalent force in this biome due to high temperature and low precipitation in the winter, these fires would reduce larger tree life that might be a product of the high levels of precipitation that would occur in the non-summer months. Latitudinally this biome would most likely be found between 30 degrees and 40 degrees North, which mirrors that of similar temperate shrublands on Earth.

 

Week 3- Entry 2, Ecology

Submitted by aswan on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 17:54

For biome 1 the temperature pattern is quite similar to that of temperate shrublands and woodlands. In this mysterious biome, through the winter months of December, January, and February (in respect to the northern hemisphere) temperature is typically lower when compared to the summer months of May, June, July, and August in which temperatures reach approximately 25 degrees Celsius. This most closely mirrors the change in temperature of the temperate shrublands and woodlands, with the temperature change being extremely similar in pattern and nature, alongside the fact that the temperatures themselves are only marginally different. Even comparing the average annual temperature of this biome 13 degrees Celsius, to the average annual temperature of Gerona, Spain, which is decidedly a temperate shrubland and woodland and has an average annual temperature of 16.7 degrees Celsius the 3 degree Celsius difference is small.

 

Precipitation wise this biome on the newly discovered planet is almost an average between that of temperate shrublands and woodlands and savanna. The total annual precipitation of Coxim, Brazil a tropical forest and savanna is 1,493mm, and the total annual precipitation of Gerona, Spain is 747mm. When these two total annual precipitation rates are averaged a total annual precipitation of 1120mm which is relatively close to the total annual precipitation of the alien planet which rests at 1024mm . The precipitation pattern is also reflective in ways of these two different biomes, this new biome experiences a significant drop off during the summer months which occurs in both the temperate shrublands and woodlands and the savanna which typically reflects a dry season.

 

Temperature and precipitation in this new biome interact together in this environment to create a significant dry season. While precipitation is high in the non-summer months when temperature is relatively cool, sufficient for plant growth, during the summer months when temperature rises precipitation drops drastically. This drop in precipitation has serious implications for the biome with increased occurrence of droughts and fires and come along with rising temperatures.

 

Week 3- Entry 1, Ecology

Submitted by aswan on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 17:53

For biome 1 the temperature pattern is quite similar to that of temperate shrublands and woodlands. In this mysterious biome, through the winter months of December, January, and February (in respect to the northern hemisphere) temperature is typically lower when compared to the summer months of May, June, July, and August in which temperatures reach approximately 25 degrees Celsius. This most closely mirrors the change in temperature of the temperate shrublands and woodlands, with the temperature change being extremely similar in pattern and nature, alongside the fact that the temperatures themselves are only marginally different. Even comparing the average annual temperature of this biome 13 degrees Celsius, to the average annual temperature of Gerona, Spain, which is decidedly a temperate shrubland and woodland and has an average annual temperature of 16.7 degrees Celsius the 3 degree Celsius difference is small.

 

GPCR

Submitted by bthoole on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 16:31

Guanine protein coupled reactions (GPCR's) are a type of G-protein linked receptors that detect molecule outside the cell and cause a cell response. Initially, the guanine protein is made up of three subunits, an alpha, beta, and gamma subunit. When a ligand attaches on the outside of the transmembrane protein a conformational change occurs and the GPCR can activate an associated G-protein by exchanging a GDP bound to the alpha subunit with a GTP. When the alpha subunit is phosphorylated it dissociates from the beta and gamma subunits, which stay together. Both sections, the alpha subunit and the beta-gamma subunit complex, are now able to act on effectors that the are proper for the received signal. This continues until the alpha subunit is dephosphorylated. When this happens, all three subunits are rejoined and the GPCR returns to a resting state.

In class legend assignment

Submitted by cdkelly on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 14:17

 

Figure 1. Massive spider size and dimensions. The image shows just how large the male goliath birdeater is. A ruler is positioned on the right side of it in order to give some scale. In its displayed conformation, the spider is approximately 17 cm in length, or roughly the size of an adult human hand. “male goliath birdeater 111508 011” flickr photo  by John https://www.flickr.com/photos/8373783@N07/3199695137 Shared under Creative Commons (BY) license.

 

Butterfly Image

Submitted by cgualtieri on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 14:16

butterfly

Figure 1. Butterfly with distinct markings on body & wings. The blue and red colors on this butterfly are located primarily at the back end of the body, and are used to distract prey. The symmetrical patterns on the wings are used to confuse prey and allow the butterfly to escape when being attacked.

"butterfly" flickr photo by davidyuweb https://flickr.com/photos/davidyuweb/4890215847 shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND) license

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