Essays and Research Papers on Biology

A 9 page discussion of the mechanisms by which evolution occurs. Contrasts the theory of the selfish gene proposed by Richard Dawkins with that of the theory of heterozygote superiority held to by evolutionary biologists such as E. Sober. An overview of each theory is presented. The conclusion is drawn that although ...

This 6 page paper considers the way that temperature will impact on the rate of carbon dioxide, the paper tests the hypothesis that the higher the temperature the more rapid the rate of carbon dioxide. This is tested using yeast. The bibliography cites 5 sources.

10 pages in length. Urodele amphibians hold a unique place within the scheme of biological diversity, in that unlike other living creatures they have the ability to regenerate their limbs. That various parts of the body can also be regenerated, such as the jaw, lens, retina, spinal cord and much of the heart, ...

A 5 page overview of the potential medicinal value of herbs. This paper emphasizes that benefit can be overshadowed by negative impacts when these drugs are combined with others or taken in high concentration such as in herbal tea. The author provides brief notes on aloe, echinacea, feverfew, garlic, ginger, gingko biloba, ginseng, goldenseal, ...

A 7 page paper discussing this topic from social, geographic and anthropological perspectives. Many are fearful of using genetically modified foods, but there is no real evidence assessing long term effects either good or bad. However, loss of the natural form is the functional equivalent of extinction, and we can never know when ...

5 pages. This interesting paper will cover the idiosyncrasies of the ears of owls based on the efficiency of prey location in the dark with asymmetrical ears and symmetrical eyes. The paper compares two species of day owls with two species of night owls in order to determine if there is a ...

7 pages. This paper about cystic fibrosis deals with a journal article that explains research into the molecular and cellular basis of cystic fibrosis. Included in this paper is what is known about the disease process, why the research was undertaken and what it contributes to the knowledge of pathobiology. Bibliography lists ...

This 5 page paper considers the existing research that has been undertaken in converting non-protein nitrogen into protein. The bibliography cites 10 sources.

A 5 page paper discussing the phytochemical nicotine. More than 50,000 phytochemicals have been identified in angiosperms; nicotine is only one. It appears to have evolved as a protection device against herbivores, bacteria and fungi, but the struggle that farmers make against tobacco hornworm and blue mold indicate that nicotine is not always ...

This 5 page report discusses Charles Darwin (1809-1892) and his studies which established the foundation of modern evolutionary theory. The question considered is how morality fits into the evolution of humanity. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 7 page report discusses regulating the use of biotechnology in food production. The pros and cons of biotechnology related to agriculture and food production are presented, as well as reasons behind its regulation. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 14 page discussion of the physiological mechanism employed by this species of oral bacteria which allow it to exist in the rapidly fluctuating pH levels of the human mouth. The author details how the cellular membrane of the organism is critical in this process, selectively allowing protons to pass out of the cell ...

9 pages. The wealth of diverse biological life forms is almost beyond what the human mind can conceive. It is interesting to say the least knowing the diversity between one pinch of soil that can contain more than ten billion bacteria, up through to entire regions, or hotspots, that are rife with not ...

A 6 page research paper that discusses what science knows about the origins of life on Earth and also the origins of human life. Bibliography lists 3 sources

This 5 page report discusses the reasons behind the existence of art from the point of view of writers and researchers who see it as a fundamental component of the evolutionary processes of humanity. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A five page paper which looks at the way in which warm-blooded creatures, especially human beings, utilise complex physiological mechanisms in order to maintain their body temperature within a comparatively narrow optimum range. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 10 page discussion of the attributes of certain plants which give them an advantage over other plants. This paper notes the deleterious impacts on biodiversity which are associated with the arrival of exotics. Bibliography lists 13 sources.

5 pages. Homology can best be described as a physical attribute linking separate species together. For instance, it was long thought that humans and other mammals evolved from fish, since in the embryonic state they resemble fish and were said to have gills at that point. The concept of homology has long ...

This 5 page report discusses human intelligence, the ways in which it is defined and measured and the idea that half of the population has an average or above average degree of traditionally measured intelligence. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 5 page paper outlines the work and achievements of these three men that focus on the logical organisation of information and the ability to classify information into logical groups. The bibliography cites 4 sources.

A 7 page overview of the marvels of evolution as reflected in six very different representatives of the plant and animal kingdom. This paper notes the lessons mankind might learn from birds, insects, and even the lowly parasitic worms as well as food crops such as corn, medicinal plants such as foxglove, and ornamentals ...

An 8 page analysis of the components of the tuna sandwich. Breaks the sandwich down into each of its components comparing them ecologically and evolutionary to man. The paper then concentrates on the molecular components of the sandwich, noting the particularly of the passage of elements such as starches and sugars through the ...

This 5 page paper compares and contrasts the differences in terms of processing visual and auditory stimuli. Perceptual organization is discussed in depth. Many terms such as perception and perceptual organization are defined. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines and analyzes two separate articles dealing with cells. The articles, both originating from Scientific American, are “A ready-made controversy. (SA Perspectives). (cloning and its controversies)” and “What clones? Widespread scientific doubts greet word of the first human embryo clones. (Stem Cells).” No additional sources cited.

This 10 page paper provides an overview of biodiversity and pays special attention to endemic species diversity. Why certain birds and mammals are found in particular parts of the world is discussed. Bibliography lists 12 sources.