Writing in Biology

Four conditions will include variations in the amounts of water and heat given to the plant during the growth period. A fifth environment will supply the normal levels of heat and water to the Mimosa pudica, thus, acting as a control group. Prior to creating these environments, we will research the physiology of Mimosa pudica to understand the how much sunlight and water is needed for these plants to grow under normal conditions. Growing Mimosa pudica under various extreme conditions will allow us to test the plant’s abilities to perform nastic movements. Under low water conditions, Mimosa Pudica plants may not produce enough turgor pressure to create a nastic movement when stimulated. It is unknown how the variations in sunlight will affect the plant nastic movements.

In this experiment, we observe behaviors made by Equus ferus caballus, also known as the common horse. Although 5 horses total were present, we focus our attention directly on 3 foals (young horses). These horses are observed and recorded in the town of Amherst, MA. To begin the observation process, we load the two videos, (one of a 30:19 minute duration and one of a 18:34 minute duration) off the snapper drive and into the VLC watch application. It is important to note that the viewing process of these video takes several attempts to successfully observe and differentiate between the multiple behaviors. While watching the first video for the first time, for each new behavior observed, we will rewind and rewatch the action, (or lack there of ) in slow motion. This allows us to accurately describe the action that the foal is doing. While watching through the video the first time, we record a general description of the behavior, and the timestamp of when the behavior occurs. While watching through the video a second time, we look for any subtle behaviors that may have been missed and additionally record any details about the behaviors present. During the third viewing session, we screenshot an image that accurately portrays each behavior. Additionally, we should check the accuracy of the timestamps and clarify any unclear descriptions in relation to the behaviors. It is important for multiple people to check the behaviors recorded for accuracy purposes, so we had another group member review the recorded data. This viewing processes is repeated for the second video. All of the information compiled is then placed in a table in an organized fashion. The columns of this table include; the behavior name, the description of what occurs in the behavior, an image that portrays the behavior, the timestamp of when it occurs, and which video it occurs in. The next step is to categorize these behaviors into subgroups. The behaviors could fit into one of five categories. The categories include feeding, play, communication, locomotion and grooming. While viewing the video for a fifth time, we carefully observe each depicted behavior and decide based on context clues which category it may fit in. Feeding behaviors may involve intaking/consuming food to its mouth. Play behaviors may involve playful interactions between foals. Communication may involve interactions with any of the other horses present, or other species (such as insects). Locomotion involves the process of moving as a means of transportation. Grooming may involve the act of attempting to clean oneself. Within a table, we assigned each subgroup a color. We then went through the list and denoted said colors for each behavior. We then organized the tables into a color-coded fashion.           

Mimosa pudica plants are one of the many species which have the ability to react and move to stressors in their environments. This behavior is categorized as a nastic movement, meaning they exhibit non-directional movements in response to stimuli. Other examples of plants that exhibit nastic movements include Venus Fly-traps, Oxalis Wood Sorrels, and Jewelweed. Nastic movement encompasses all responses to various stimuli like light, touch, temperature, and competition. We are focusing on the seismonastic movements of Mimosa pudica and its ability to respond to touch. When a stimulus touched or brushes up against the central stem of the plant, the leaves fold together in order to protect itself from predation.

 

1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diol was present and relatively pure in the final product. Yet the percent yield was 14%. This is a lower % yield than expected. This may be a result of impurities due to the incompletion of the reaction, loss of product in transfers, or evaporation. These mistakes could have been avoided if extra time was given to allow the reaction to complete and as few of transfers between glassware were performed as possible. Another possible change that may increase the % yield would be to increase the moles of benzoin in the reagents. Due to the fact that one mole of benzoin reacts with one mole of sodium borohydride and there is 0.2 mmol less of benzoin than sodium borohydride in the reaction, benzoin is the limiting reagent. By increasing the molar amount of benzoin in the reaction, the reaction would produce a larger amount of product yield, ultimately increasing the % yield.

Thigmonasty is caused by the change in the turgor pressure within Mimosa pudica leaves. Turgor pressure is the force against the cell wall of the plant that is created by the water within the cell contents. This pressure keeps the leaves standing up in 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, decreasing the turgor pressure in the plant and therefore causing the leaves to collapse. Once one single leaf is touched, the other leaves on the branch become 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. This may cause the thigmonasty response to be altered in these plants.

The aim of this study is to determine if crab spiders show any preference towards backgrounds of different colors. Due to its ambush hunting strategy and ability to change color, we hypothesize that when given the choice between two options, Misumena vatia will choose the most optimal background in regards to its actual body coloration.

In Test 1 we will study spider preference between yellow and white backgrounds.

In Test 2 we will study spider preference between dark gray and light gray backgrounds.

In Test 3 we will study spider preference between white and gray backgrounds.

In Test 4 we will study spider preference between cyan and green backgrounds.

In Test 5 we will study spider preference between magenta and red backgrounds.

In Test 6 we will study spider preference between abstract and a simple backgrounds.

Animals have evolved multiple strategies for blending in with their environments, from the iconic color-changing common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon), to resembling a bundle of floating seaweed like the leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques). These strategies are englobed in a broader term known as crypsis, and play an important role in predator-prey interactions for both hiding and hunting. One example of crypsis as a predation strategy is the case of the flower crab spider Misumena vatia. This species is capable of hunting relatively large prey such as bees, with the help of its ability to change color between yellow and white.

Animals have evolved multiple strategies for blending in with their environments, from the iconic color-changing common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon), to resembling a bundle of floating seaweed like the leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques). These strategies are englobed in a broader term known as crypsis, and play an important role in predator-prey interactions for both hiding and hunting. One example of crypsis as a predation strategy is the case of the flower crab spider Misumena vatia. This species is capable of hunting relatively large prey such as bees, with the help of its ability to change color between yellow and white.

Such colors are produced by ommochrome pigments, which are mostly found in the eyes of arthropods, but are also present as granules in the bodies of spiders. The white coloration in these crab spiders is the result of overlapping gunanine and uric acid, which generates type I granules. Meanwhile, the yellow color is produced by type III granules, which combine the reflectance from the white color with other merged granules. A crab spider undergoing color change has a combination of type III and type II granules, which are a transient stage between the yellow and white pigments.

http://jeb.biologists.org/content/211/5/780 - color change mechanism

On the Duty of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau explores a civilian’s duty to use their conscience, not pure legislation, to lead their actions.  Thoreau argues that the democracy of his time only makes legislation that grants the wishes of the majority by allowing them to decide what is right and what is wrong.  “Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience then?”. Thoreau then encourages men whose conscience finds certain laws unjust, to voice their disagreement through a number of ways.

Firstly, Thoreau warns men that they may be “treated as enemies” by the state for resisting the unjust laws at all.  He explains that the men deemed “good citizens” are the people who disregard their morals and act only in ways that serve the state, such as soldiers.  The Mexican- American war is a pressing issue during Thoreau’s time, causing him to point to soldiers as main proponents of unjust actions for the state. Thoreau compares these men to the worth of “wood and earth and stones” along with only commanding the same respect as “men of straw or a lump of dirt”.  Thoreau wants to prepare the men that will act justly for the resistance they will face on their journey. Although it may be more convenient to act with the majority, Thoreau believes that he cannot act this way “without disgrace...associated with it”. In this way, some people may be prone to follow the government instead of standing up for their rights.

Protein is another macronutrient necessary to promote the health of the body. The body’s growth, repairing of cells,  and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs are all essential functions of the protein, therefore adequate amounts of protein in the diet is necessary to the optimal function of the body. My current food intake indicates a relatively steady amount of protein in my diet, at approximately 21 percent of the total calories I consume in one day. Overall, based on the two days of documenting my food intake, the main sources of protein are chicken, eggs, fish, and pork. The fish, unfortunately, was fried with batter, making a great source of protein that comes along with unnecessary amounts of fat, so in future meals I know to choose fish that’s steamed or cooked differently.The chicken is chicken breast and the pork was a lean piece of boneless pork chop, both relatively healthy options of protein, low in fat and sodium showing that the quality of the protein intake is quite well. Although those options of poultry and chicken are great, I could aim to expand my options and include beans, and nuts to obtain all the essential amino acids. Red meats, like beef, are excluded from being categorized as a healthy protein for it is much higher in saturated fats4. Harvard School of Public Health reported that the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease increased with increased consumptions of red meats, supported with evidence from a study that shows the risk of dying from cardiovascular increasing by 13 percent with every additional 3-ounce serving of red meat4.