Writing in Biology

We aim to observe the effect of temperature on the production of webs for cellar spiders. Across the three temperature groups of our experiment, we want to know how the difference in temperature will affect the size of spider webs. From this, we aim to deduce the ideal temperature for web production in cellar spiders. Previous research has demonstrated that at lower temperatures, spider web production is greatly reduced. In addition, our enclosure design is based on a previous method. We plan to acquire 9 cellar spiders of the same species and place them each in their own enclosure. We will weigh the enclosure with a laboratory-grade scale immediately after the spider is placed inside. Each enclosure will have small air holes at the top, and a slightly larger hole for depositing food without disturbing the spider. Groups of 3 spiders and their enclosures will be placed into one of the three possible styrofoam boxes corresponding to a specific temperature condition. One box will be kept at room temperature, another will be kept below room temperature with the assistance of ice, and the third will be kept above room temperature by a heat lamp. The ice will be changed periodically to ensure a constant temperature over the course of the experiment. Furthermore, fruit flies will be placed into each enclosure at a predetermined interval of twelve hours. The experiment will take place over five days time. The the end of the five days, each enclosure will be weighed again and the weights from the beginning and end will be compared. Our research concerns the effect of temperature on web production and can be related to the global shift in temperature. Global warming is altering the climate and resulting in temperatures that would be considered abnormal in the past. As a result, the behavior and localization of organisms will change. We plan to apply this to cellar spiders to observe how global temperature change will alter their behavior, specifically web production.

 

We aim to observe the effect of temperature on the production of webs for cellar spiders. Across the three temperature groups of our experiment, we want to know how the difference in temperature will affect the size of spider webs. From this, we aim to deduce the ideal temperature for web production in cellar spiders. Previous research has demonstrated that at lower temperatures, spider web production is reduced. In addition, our design for the enclosure is based on a previous method. We plan to acquire 9 cellar spiders of the same species and place them each in their own enclosure. We will weigh the enclosure immediately after the spider is placed inside. Each enclosure will have small air holes at the top, and a slightly larger hole for depositing food without disturbing the spider. Groups of 3 spiders and their enclosures will be placed into one of the three styrofoam boxes corresponding to a specific temperature condition. One box will be kept at room temperature, another will be kept below room temperature with the assistance of ice, and the third will be kept above room temperature by a heat lamp. The ice will be changed periodically to ensure a constant temperature over the course of the experiment. Furthermore, food will be placed into each enclosure at a predetermined interval of twelve hours. The experiment will take place over five days time. The the end of the five days, each enclosure will be weighed again and the weights from the beginning and end will be compared. Our research concerns the effect of temperature on web production and can be related to the global shift in temperature. Global warming is altering the climate and resulting in temperatures that would be considered abnormal in the past. As a result, the behavior and localization of organisms will change. We plan to apply this to cellar spiders to observe how global temperature change will alter their behavior, specifically web production.

Before Einstein developed his theory of Gravity, Newtonian Gravity was the widely accepted theory. Newtonian gravity works out mathematically for most instances. 

Newtonian gravity states that the strength of gravity depends on the distance between two objects. Einstein found fault with this particular idea, since according to his theory of relativity, the distance between any two objects changes based on an observer’s reference frame. Thus, Einstein set force to develop a gravitational theory cohesive with his theory of special relativity. After years of work on “General Relativity,” Einstein concluded that gravity is the result of a curvature in a four-dimensional fabric that makes up our universe, which he termed “spacetime." Space and time are not the distinct and absolute qualities we perceive them to be, according to Einstein. Rather, “Three-Dimensional Space” and “Time” actually exist as a single continuum of four-dimensional “spacetime.” Mass curves this fabric of spacetime, similar to the way a heavy ball would pull down the center of a trampoline. If you were to roll a little ball on the trampoline with the heavy ball in the center, the little ball would be drawn toward the bigger ball would rotate around it in a circle. Normally, the little ball would follow a straight line, but the larger ball in the middle distorts the surface of the trampoline, and thus the path of other objects on it. This is analogous to gravity for us, but the earth replaces the big ball and the objects on and surrounding the earth replace the smaller ball. The earth warps spacetime and this causes the inward pull of gravity that we experience on earth. 

Previously to Einstein’s theory of Gravity was Newtonian Gravity, which worked perfectly for most instances. According to Newtonian gravity, the strength of gravity depends on the distance between two objects. Einstein found fault with this particular idea since according to his theory of relativity, the distance between any two objects changes based on an observer’s reference frame. Thus, Einstein set force to develop a gravitational theory cohesive with his special relativity. Einstein concluded after years of work on “General Relativity” that gravity is the result of a curvature in a four-dimensional fabric that makes up our universe called spacetime. Space and time are not the distinct and absolute qualities we perceive them to be, according to Einstein. Rather, “Three-Dimensional Space” and “Time” actually exist as a single continuum of four-dimensional spacetime. Mass can actually curve this fabric of spacetime, similar to the way a heavy ball would pull down the center of a trampoline it was sitting on. If you were to roll a little ball on the trampoline with the heavy ball in the center, the little ball would be drawn toward the bigger ball would rotate around it in a circle. Normally, the little ball would follow a straight line, but the larger ball in the middle distorts the surface of the trampoline, and thus the path of other objects on it. This is analogous to gravity for us, but the earth replaces the big ball and the objects on and surrounding the earth replace the smaller ball. The earth warps spacetime and this causes the inward pull of gravity that we experience on earth. 

Both sides of the environment should also be exactly the same except for background color. The temperature needs to be kept consistent inside of the tank. To do this, the spiders need to be kept away from windows and housed somewhere there is no incoming cold air. It has been shown that spiders are less active in colder temperatures, so keeping them at room temperature (70°F) is important. Light entering from outside of the tank should also be the same on both sides. To keep this consistent do not place in sunlight, or somewhere that there are shadows. Overhead lights should be used because they will keep the light even on both sides. The lights should remain on 24 hours a day, so the spiders are always able to see the color of the background they are on.

To make sure that the spider strictly picks a side based on substrate color is it important to keep all other factors consistent. If in the experiment the spider forms a web it will be taken out. We do not want the spider to keep choosing the same side just because there is a web there for it. Both sides of the environment should also be exactly the same except for background color.

Both sides of the environment should also be exactly the same except for background color. The temperature needs to be kept consistent inside of the tank. To do this, the spiders need to be kept away from windows and housed somewhere there is no breeze. It has been shown that spiders are less active in colder temperatures, so keeping them at room temperature (70°F) is important. Light entering from outside of the tank should also be the same on both sides. To keep this consistent do not place in sunlight, or somewhere that there are shadows. Overhead lights should be used because they will keep the light even on both sides. The lights should remain on 24 hours a day, so the spiders are always able to see the color of the background they are on.

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between spider body size and spider web thickness. Spider webs are a material of interest to people because they are remarkably strong and able to withstand large forces, yet also soft. They vary widely in strength, some have even been said to be able to withstand hurricane force winds.  They have a very high elasticity. Discovering the various factors that contribute to differences in spider web characteristics, such as thickness, could help us learn more about the factors that contribute to their extreme elasticity and could be useful for Material engineering of a material that is both strong and soft. A previous study performed using polarized light microscopy has shown that there is some variation both in the spider silk diameters, and the mechanical characterization of silk.

Our experiment studies web production and weight of cellar spiders in relation to the temperature of their surrounding environment, which can be used as a model for the effects that climate change will have on cellar spiders.  Globally, species are expected to shift locations in response to climate change. When the area the organisms are in becomes too hot or cold, they move towards the poles or equator accordingly to adjust for the difference in temperature.  If the area becomes too hot, they will move towards the poles in order to stay in an environment that suits their needs. If the area becomes too cold, they will move to a warmer area, which is sometimes towards the equator, but occasionally not.  Most of the Earth is expected to warm over the next several decades, but there are some areas that are expected to get colder.

If it is observed that web weight or production varies at the temperatures our experiment tests, this could predict how this species of cellar spiders will respond to different temperatures.  Since webs are necessary for a spider’s survival, a deficiency in web weight and production could have detrimental consequences. The cellar spiders may be expected to shift their location accordingly.  If the species is not able to shift locations quickly enough, the species may be at risk for extinction.

Thigmonasty is caused by a change in the turgor pressure within Mimosa pudica leaves. Turgor pressure is defined as the force against the cell walls of the plant that is created by the water within the cell contents. This pressure is responsible for keeping the leaves standing up under normal conditions. When this plant is touched, the mechanosensory response begins by activating the contractile proteins in the base of the leaf. These proteins allow the water within the cell to slowly diffuse out which decreases the turgor pressure in the plant and therefore causes the leaves to collapse. Once one single leaf is touched, the adjacent leaves on the branch get stimulated by the motion of the first leaf and close as well. With the lack or excess of water in heat within the 4 environments, the turgor pressure in these leaves may be altered. Through understanding how thigmonasty takes place in Mimosa pudica plants, one can infer how changes in the surrounding environment might affect the plant's nastics movements.

There are however some important  articles that show this potential genetic altering can be beneficial, such as the baby born with three parents. I know this is likely a point of argument, but I guess I “believe” in natural selection, and if someone was meant to have children, they would. Although this child was quite literally a miracle, the mother had previously lost four other children. I’m not sure how ethical my reasoning is here, and I’m not saying she doesn’t deserve to have this child, but I don’t believe we, as a race, should be altering our DNA in a way that allows us to reproduce, when clearly we shouldn’t. When you think about the population size, imagine if everyone that couldn’t physically reproduce healthy children, went through a similar process to have children. We would run out of room on this planet. This doesn’t sound quite moral, but we have processes such as natural selection for reason, meaning the most fit of our population should reproduce, and those who can’t, shouldn’t.