Entomology is the scientific study of insect.
INTRODUCTION Entomology is the scientific study of insect. Insect are groups of animals which have no back bone (invertebrate). They have three distinct regional divisions (head, thorax and abdomen) in their body make them different from other invertebrate. They have six legs, compound eyes and a hard outer casing made of chitin. Most insects have wings in some form, occasionally vestigial in nature, but some of the more advanced insects, which have evolved social living, have casts which have no wings at all, e.g. workers. Whilst Forensic entomology is a science field which involves the study of insects and other arthropods to gather information about crime scene and support legal investigations. Forensic entomology is mainly concern with the interpretation of insect evidence found in association with decomposing corpses found under suspicious circumstances. (Byrd, 2007) forensic entomology can be divided into three components; medico-legal entomology (this section focus on the criminal aspect of the legal system and similarly deals with the necrophagous (feed on dead tissue) insects that infest corpses) the Urban entomology (deals legal proceeding, which involves insect and other animals that affect human and their immediate environment) and stored product entomology (focus on insect infesting stored commodities, like foodstuffs). (Langford et al, 2005) Forensic
With reference to one named global ecosystem, assess the extent to which humans actions are threatening it's biodiversity.
With reference to one named global ecosystem, assess the extent to which humans actions are threatening it's biodiversity. Coral reefs are one of the most highly productive ecosystems in the world, with a complex ecology involving symbiotic plants, animals and bacteria (i.e. a food web - everything is interlinked, so if one population alters in biomass this will affect another population as a result). Although they are highly productive, they are also an endangered ecosystem, the majority of threats being born from human activities or actions. Coral reefs are vertically layered, and this provides a large range of niches, increasing the biodiversity of the reef. They an important marine biome because it is estimated that there may be between one and nine million undocumented species associated with coral reefs, but only 4,000 species of fish and 800 species of reef-building corals are known. Therefore we must do what we can to manage the human actions that are threatening the biodiversity before the endangered species move to extinction. Over fishing in places like the Philippines and Indonesia has caused the disappearance of many types of fish from entire areas. With out these predators in the area, 'pests' like the sea urchin increase in population. Sea urchins kill live coral as they feed on algae, so eventually, algae growth overtakes the coral and can suffocate it.
The Role of Salt in Baking.
The Role of Salt in Baking For most cooking, salt is used to add or enhance flavor to a dish or platter. In baking, however, salt plays a far more important role. It not only enhances flavor, but also controls bacteria, strengthens dough by tightening gluten, and prolongs shelf life. Various salts are available for baking, and each form influences how easily the salt blends with dough. Granular, or table, salts are in the form of dense cubes, due to vacuum evaporation. Sea salts and Diamond Crystal kosher salts are formed from surface evaporation, causing flakier pyramid salts. Morton's kosher salt is granular salt that is pressed into flakes by rollers. Each form of salt is different in volume as well as the way they dissolve, mix, and adhere. For example, 1 tablespoon of granular salt is the equivalent of 11/2 tablespoons of Morton's kosher salt or 2 tablespoons of Diamond Crystal kosher salt. Most bakers prefer flaky sea salt and Diamond Crystal kosher salt to granular salt because it provides a greater surface area when blending, allowing for greater distribution. Once an appropriate salt is designated, one must then determine when to add the salt. Salt strengthens and tightens the gluten in dough by adjusting the solubility and swelling capacity of the dough. This increases dough strength and prevents weakness and stickiness while increasing the mixing time
The Changing Environment
The Changing Environment Simone M Brady SCI210 Dr. Hoffmann August 27, 2005 INTRODUCTION The Earth as we know it may cease to exist if changes are not made in the attitudes and actions humans have toward the environment. Ecosystems have existed for hundreds of millions of years whereas humans are fairly new to the game. The materialistic needs of western society, more so than other societies is destroying Earth's natural systems. It is imperative at this time that an environmental revolution takes place in order to ensure future sustainability of the Earth's natural ecosystems. This paper is based on that premise. DEFINITION OF ECOSYSTEM The idea of ecological integrity and its ethical basis was developed in 1939 by Aldo Leopold, however; Leopold failed to identify quantitative measures. Leopold wrote, "...a thing is right when it tends to preserve integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise" (Leopold 1939). Cairns, et al. (1977) provided a more quantitative definition, "Biological integrity is the maintenance of the community structure and function characteristic of a particular locale or deemed satisfactory to society." Another definition was developed by Karr (1987), "...the capability of supporting and maintaining a balanced, integrated, adaptive community of organisms having species composition, diversity, and
The Oceans
The Oceans Earth is the only planet in the Solar System that has liquid water. The ocean contains ninety seven percent of the earth's water and covers almost three quarters of the planet. There are four different oceans, the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and the Arctic. Tides and currents occur in all three of these oceans. Many different kinds of fish and mammals also make their homes in these oceans. All of these oceans are connected to each other in some way. Humans find oceans to be very interesting, beautiful, and exploring. All oceans contain salt water and other minerals. The Pacific Ocean has the largest body of water in it. It spreads nearly halfway around the world. The Pacific Ocean is also the deepest ocean out of all four oceans. The Atlantic contains the second largest body of water. Next is the Indian Ocean, which is on the borderline of being a big ocean and a small ocean. Last is the Arctic Ocean, which by all means is the smallest ocean of them all. Ocean water and currents affect the climate. Because it takes far more energy to change the temperature of water than land or air, water warms up and cools off much more slowly than either. As a result, inland climates are subject to more extreme temperature ranges than coastal climates, which are insulated by nearby water. Over half the heat that reaches the earth from the sun is absorbed
Sir David Attenborough
The Biography Of A Scientist No Text Citation - Reference Reliability Score 1 to 5 Explanation Wikipedia(2009) Good starting point with some useful links - Not used 2 BBC Online (2009) 4 Informative biography with links to all the series - Used 3 Bright (2007) 5 Excellent source. Charts a walk through of career with much detail. - Used 4 Byatt, Fothergill, Holmes (2001) 3 Directly linked although only a foreword written - Used 5 The Guardian (2009) 3 Long article outlining a specific period in time - Used 6 Wildlife Magazine (2009) 4 Looks into a couple of theories - Not used 7 BBC Radio 4 (2006) 3 A personal broadcast reviewing years of work - Not used References; BBC Online 2009 Science & Nature; TV and Radio follow up Available from; http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/programmes/who/david_attenborough.shtml (Accessed 21/10/2009) BBC Radio 4 2006 Science; Wild Times - David at 80 Available from; http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/wildtimes.shtml (Accessed 22/10/2009) Bright, M, 2007. 100 Years Of Wildlife. Frome: Ebury. Byatt, A. Fothergill, A. Holmes, M. The Blue Planet a natural history of the oceans. London. BBC Worldwide Limited. Wright, J. Watch This. Guardian, 19 October. Wikipedia 2009 Sir David Attenborough article Available from; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Attenborough (Accessed 22/10/2009) Barnes, S. 2009. Snippets
Ecosystems and How They WorkThe recycling of elements is another vital functional process occurring in all ecosystems. Describe the biogeochemical cycles for carbon, phosphorous, and nitrogen. How have humans impacted these three cycles?
Ecosystems and How They Work Carole Holmes March 25, 2006 Unit 1: Individual Project (SCI210) Laura Step Ecosystems and How They Work Revolutionary changes in human culture have greatly changed the relationship between humans and the environment. How have the Neolithic and Industrial Revolution impacted the natural environment, and what is meant by the Environmental Revolution? The Neolithic Revolution has impacted the natural environment because it allowed a shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture which has lead to more permanent settlements and population increases. This was a major turning point in human history. The expansion of humans and activities into the natural environment increased uniformity in landscapes and greatly reduced the area of each wildlife habitat. The Industrial Revolution impacted the natural environment because the mass consumption of fossil fuels and natural resources used to push this revolution forward has caused a great deal of environmental damage such as pollution and exploitation. The industries discharged foul, sometimes toxic, solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes as well as loud, repetitive, mechanical noises and vibrations into the surrounding air, water, and land. These emissions blackened the air and water and disturbed ecosystems wherever rivers were dammed for power. The Environmental Revolution is "a coming change in the
Discussion of the adaptations of plants in a salt marsh community.
Discussion of the adaptations of plants in a salt marsh community Salt marshes are intertidal ecosystems, surrounded by land and open to the sea by way of an estuary (Pomeroy & Wiegert 1981). As a result salt marshes are constrained, by silt and saline water, to the type of communities it can sustain (Ranwell 1972). However because of the tidal nature of these ecosystems and the presence of many migratory birds we find some of the the most widley distributed plant species in the world (Ranwell 1972). The habitat is typically high in phosphates but low in nitrogen. Sulphur washed in from the sea collects in the soil and during dry periods lowers the soil pH (Chapman & Reiss 2000). Essentially the main problem for salt marsh plants is that salt marsh ecosystems are perminantly waterlogged by seawater. Land plants obtain oxygen for their roots by diffusion of oxygen found in air spaces in the soil. When soil is waterlogged, water displaces oxygen from the air spaces and reduces oxygen transport to as much as 1/300000 of its original value (www.biome.ac.uk). Most land plants are used to water that has an osmotis potential close to zero, however salt marsh plant communities have to exist in water conditions of much lower osmotic potential, approximately -2 Mpa. Most land plants subjected to such low osmotic potentials would loose water to its environment and die
Deforestation - Causes and Solutions.
Deforestation: Causes and Solutions Deforestation is a major global problem with serious consequences to the planet. These consequences have negative effects on the climate, biodiversity, the atmosphere, and threatens the cultural and physical survival of indigenous peoples. Effects of deforestation are too great to continue destroying the forests. There are many causes for deforestation. The first and most important cause is wood extraction. Wood has always been a primary forest product for human populations and industrial interests. Since wood is an important structural component of any forest, its removal has immediate implications on forest health. Intensive harvests can lead to severe degradation, even beyond a forests capacity to recover. When the soil has been stripped of its nutrients, farmers move further into the forests in search of new land. And perhaps the worst culprit of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon [Image] is cattle ranching. 38% of deforestation in the Amazon wasdue to large scale cattle ranching. Mining for valuable resources also plays a major role. Deforestation has many devastating effects. It affects climate significantly, in part because the forest plays a major role in the water cycle, recycling rain back into the clouds as it receives rainfall. As a result, when the land is cleared, flooding and drought become serious problems, as
Ornithorhynchus anatinus - the duckbill platypus
Introduction Ornithorhynchus anatinus - the duckbill platypus (figure1), is a unique mammal native to Queens land, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania (figure 2). Figure 1 - Ornithorhynchus anatinus Figure 2- distribution of platypus Australia The duck-billed platypus is a small semi-aquatic mammal that inhabits streams and small rivers in eastern Australia and Tasmania. Living platypuses exist nowhere else in the world and date back 1.6 million years ago to the Pleistocene era. The platypus lives in burrows dug out of the banks of rivers. The animal is approximately 50 cm in length, about the same size of a family cat, and its body is covered by a thick brown fur. The platypus also has webbed forefeet to paddle its way through the water and a beaver like tail. The most notable feature of the platypus is its rubbery bill, which resembles that of a duck, which contains electro receptive sensors used in the search for food. But what makes the duck-billed platypus extremely unique is that it has the physical and biological characteristics of both mammals and reptiles. Early botanists who came across the platypus in the 18th century found it so bizarre and unconformist, that many