In early 2009, researchers at Cambridge University discovered that Volvox can really cut a rug. Shaking some booty (er, flagella) allows them to flail around until flow is created in their fluid surroundings - and if they've got the moves down right, the current can bind their movements to those of other swagging Volvox. Between what scientists call the "waltz" and the "minuet," the oscillating dances are supposed to make it easier for the microbes to reproduce.
11.24.2009
Algae Knows How to Party
In early 2009, researchers at Cambridge University discovered that Volvox can really cut a rug. Shaking some booty (er, flagella) allows them to flail around until flow is created in their fluid surroundings - and if they've got the moves down right, the current can bind their movements to those of other swagging Volvox. Between what scientists call the "waltz" and the "minuet," the oscillating dances are supposed to make it easier for the microbes to reproduce.
11.20.2009
A Tribute To My Favorite Microbe
I fell in love with biology a long time ago, and since that time I've encountered many strange and wonderful things. If I had to make a list of the top ten wonders of the biology world, it would be a fearfully difficult feat for me to tackle. But... one thing is for sure. My favorite organism has been, and always will be: Volvox.
Many of you are probably familiar with Volvox, and in fact many have probably discounted Volvox and its importance. Well, I feel it is now my duty as an algae, microbe, and cell enthusiast to give Volvox it's time to shine by sharing this article with you. If you already know and love Volvox like I do, then please take the time to browse these magnificent glowing pictures of the little beauties. If you are not familiar with Volvox, then please take the time to become acquainted with my number one favorite organism (thus far) on planet Earth. I doubt you will be disappointed.
Many of you are probably familiar with Volvox, and in fact many have probably discounted Volvox and its importance. Well, I feel it is now my duty as an algae, microbe, and cell enthusiast to give Volvox it's time to shine by sharing this article with you. If you already know and love Volvox like I do, then please take the time to browse these magnificent glowing pictures of the little beauties. If you are not familiar with Volvox, then please take the time to become acquainted with my number one favorite organism (thus far) on planet Earth. I doubt you will be disappointed.
11.19.2009
11.18.2009
(Speechless) Series #5
A photo collection of the wondrous little details of our planet.
6/18/07: Stratocumulus clouds forming “cloud streets” over the Sea of Okhotsk, Northern Japan.
Sigh... how I wish I was driving down the celestial super highway right now.
6/18/07: Stratocumulus clouds forming “cloud streets” over the Sea of Okhotsk, Northern Japan.
Sigh... how I wish I was driving down the celestial super highway right now.
11.16.2009
GeoDictionary
Learning the language, one word at a time.
Frazil · (frāz′il)
noun
Ice crystals formed from turbulent, often supercooled water, as in the open ocean or river rapids. Represents the first stage of sea ice formation.
The crystals usually only grow 3-4mm in diameter, since the movement caused by water currents interrupts crystal growth and prevents them from coagulating. The river (or section of the ocean) begins to have the appearance of a melted slushie as it becomes saturated with suspended ice crystals.
Under calmer conditions, as the water temperature begins to drop, the frazil ice clusters begin to form sheets of ice by clumping and freezing together. The new "pancake ice" formations are often rounded plates with raised edges, due to both frequent collisions and periodic compressions as they pass through wave troughs.
Photo by Lars Jensen.
11.08.2009
Deep Sea Bioluminescence, Part 1
Defense and Survival
Bioluminescence is the light produced from a chemical reaction that occurs inside a living organism. The emission is a "cold light," named as such since less than 20% of it generates thermal radiation. Although multiple land animals have developed the trait (fireflies, glowworms, click beetles, fungi, etc.), it's not in particularly high demand in their evolutionary process. However, the deep sea is a vast open space devoid of sunlight. And when there's nowhere to run to, baby, and certainly nowhere to hide, you've got to make do with your own body.
Some deep sea predators need simply to look up, where the minimal amount of sunlight makes enough of a change in light value to expose silhouettes of the prey swimming above. To avoid becoming a succulent snack, creatures like the firefly squid, hatchetfish, and lightfish have developed rows of photophores (light-producing organs) that produce the same color and intensity of blue as the daylight above. The counterillumination breaks up the silhouette edges and allow them to disappear into the backdrop.
Lightfish, commonly called bristlemouths, are usually black with under-body photophores, and can grow anywhere from 2 to 30cm long.
The Sparkling Enope, or Firefly Squid, is usually found in the Pacific Ocean at depths of 600-1200ft.
Blue light is the most common color emitted in marine life, as it travels furthest in seawater and is the only shade visible to an abundance of the deep sea organisms. The dragonfish took advantage of this by evolving the ability to emit and perceive a much longer wavelength - red light. Besides being able to sneak up on unsuspecting prey with advanced night vision goggles, it also managed to retain the ability to create blue light, in order to switch from lurker-mode to high-beam headlight, and to lure prey with the fishing-bait barbel dangling from its lower jaw.
Mmmm, deelicious squid...
There's so much more to come!
Bioluminescence is the light produced from a chemical reaction that occurs inside a living organism. The emission is a "cold light," named as such since less than 20% of it generates thermal radiation. Although multiple land animals have developed the trait (fireflies, glowworms, click beetles, fungi, etc.), it's not in particularly high demand in their evolutionary process. However, the deep sea is a vast open space devoid of sunlight. And when there's nowhere to run to, baby, and certainly nowhere to hide, you've got to make do with your own body.
Some deep sea predators need simply to look up, where the minimal amount of sunlight makes enough of a change in light value to expose silhouettes of the prey swimming above. To avoid becoming a succulent snack, creatures like the firefly squid, hatchetfish, and lightfish have developed rows of photophores (light-producing organs) that produce the same color and intensity of blue as the daylight above. The counterillumination breaks up the silhouette edges and allow them to disappear into the backdrop.
Lightfish, commonly called bristlemouths, are usually black with under-body photophores, and can grow anywhere from 2 to 30cm long.
The Sparkling Enope, or Firefly Squid, is usually found in the Pacific Ocean at depths of 600-1200ft.
Blue light is the most common color emitted in marine life, as it travels furthest in seawater and is the only shade visible to an abundance of the deep sea organisms. The dragonfish took advantage of this by evolving the ability to emit and perceive a much longer wavelength - red light. Besides being able to sneak up on unsuspecting prey with advanced night vision goggles, it also managed to retain the ability to create blue light, in order to switch from lurker-mode to high-beam headlight, and to lure prey with the fishing-bait barbel dangling from its lower jaw.
Mmmm, deelicious squid...
There's so much more to come!
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