Essays and Research Papers on Biology

An 11 page overview of the problems which face fisheries on a world wide basis as a result of over fishing. Provides detailed statistics on various fisheries and introduces the concept of "tragedy of the commons" in which the world's excess of fishermen competing for the same fish stocks insures a fisherman must work ...

A 5 page overview of the biological manifestations of inbreeding (consanguinity). Discusses the coefficient of relationship and how this relates to increase propensities for certain diseases, malformations, and maladaptations. Concludes that while the results of consanguinity can be negative there is also the increased likelihood of passing on certain desirable traits as well. ...

This 5 page paper looks at the facts surrounding the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering and genetically modified crops. The issues of pest and virus control are examined and the emphasis is on the positive aspects of this new science. The bibliography cites 5 sources.

A 7 page paper discussing recent gains in research, particularly that addressing the role of sarcoglycans play in the progress and form of the disease. All forms of muscular dystrophy are known to result from genetic defects, including the limb-girdle form. Research has advanced rapidly in recent years, but important questions still remain unanswered. ...

An 8 page overview of the societal and environmental legacy of the 1945 development and testing of the Atomic Bomb. Outlines the impacts to the ecologies of these areas as well as to the human inhabitants. These impacts have been both environmental and community-based. An entire community grew up around the Los ...

A 9 page overview of the use of constructed wetlands in the receipt and treatment of domestic wastewater. Outlines the design considerations which must be considered prior to construction and operational and monitoring considerations which ensure the ongoing success of a project. Includes a sample of specific design and performance information for an ...

A 5 page discussion of the evolutionary advancements which propelled fish from their primitive jawless forms to the more advanced jawed forms. Distinguishes between the lamphreys and hagfish and identifies the hagfish as the most primitive vertebrate known to have ever lived. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 5 page overview of the phenomenon of acid rain. Describes the phenomenon from a chemical standpoint emphasizing the role of sulfuric acid, chlorofluorocarbons, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitric acid. Relates the impacts which acid rain can have on the environment and on man. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

Breeding for Ergot Resistance in Perennial Cereal A 10 page discussion of the selective breeding processes which go into developing a better-performing agricultural strain. Outlines the importance of rye and historical breeding efforts. Discusses traditional breeding techniques and contrasts them with more modern procedures such as tissue culture and bioengineering. Bibliography lists 8 ...

An 11 page comparison of the simplicity of the animal species preserved in the Burgess Shale Deposit and the complex evolutionary path recorded in the fossil record for modern-day birds. Discusses the controversy and debate surrounding the question of the speculated origin of birds from dinosaurs. Discusses the current findings in the field and ...

A 7 page overview of the processes which impact deserts. Summarizes geologic, climatological and biological processes which interplay to both shape desert environments and which are shaped by those environments. Outlines the importance of topography, substrate characteristics, precipitation, vegetative cover (both type and extent), radiation, and cloud cover in particular and concludes that each of these factors ...

A 7 page paper discussing general and specific biosynthesis pathways of genetically engineered bacteria. Bacteria have been used since the 1950s to produce useful - and often critical - compounds. A Merck & Co. researcher used a Lactobacillus lactis assay as a driver for B12 purification and crystallization from Streptomyces griseus, and Japanese ...

A 10 page paper discussing current research trained on structure, rather than on processes. There is so much attention focused on biochemical pathways and the interactions of compounds with each other that the basics of structure are often overlooked. As it becomes more important to discover methods of industrial miniaturization and continued enhancement of ...

A 9 page paper that argues that life on other planets, and therefore the existence of Unidentified Flying Objects, or UFOs, is not only possible but also probable. Discussed are the 1947 events surrounding what has become known as the Roswell Incident and the private sector interest and investigation into the existence of UFOs ...

A 9 page discussion of the benefits of bioengineering, the genetic alteration of food species. Presents the contention that genetically altered food species are the key to feeding the world's ever increasing population on the ever decreasing agricultural areas. Counters objections to bioengineering and concludes that it is the people themselves who should decide ...

A 6 page discussion of the role of auxin in plant physiology. Concentrates on the work with Arabidopsis thaliana but ties this research into other plant species and the effects of fire on the physiology of some of these species. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 29 page paper discussing current research in LGMD, much of which has moved beyond the realm of theory and elementary discovery into that area that enables researchers to create accurate and workable syntheses of mechanisms and pathways that exist. Though research is not required to provide definitive answers in order to be considered valid, ...

A 5 page paper discussing LDL's structure, origins and transport. Through current research, it is becoming increasingly apparent that LDL is involved in more systems than only those affecting the cardiovascular system. Further research into these interactions and better methods of measuring LDL's oxidative state hold promise of leading to synthesis of greater understanding of the ...

8 pages in length. This paper gives a convincing argument that the high money stakes for the human genome research needs to be more closely regulated by the government. The inherent problems in allowing private enterprise to profit from this means it could be less than helpful to medical research. Bibliography lists ...

10 pages in length. This paper gives a convincing argument that the high money stakes for the human genome research needs to be more closely regulated by the government. The inherent problems in allowing private enterprise to profit from this means it could be less than helpful to medical research. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

12 pages in length. Goes over the arguments against Human Gerome research, as well as those arguements for it. This excellent paper gives a great overview of the entire research and earning potential of the research on human genetic mapping. Bibliography lists 15 sources.

A 6 page discussion of the importance of Florida's coral reefs and the factors adversely impacting them. Identifies the sugar industry as the primary culprit in this decline and recommends the use of man made wetlands to treat their agricultural effluent. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 6 page paper that investigates this renowned scientist. Bernd Heinrich has an unquenchable interest in all living things. He teaches at the University of Vermont and is also greatly involved in field research of different species. His work is discussed, particularly the work that is reported in two of his books: Mind of the ...

This 5 page paper provides an overview of the basic elements similar in all types of snakes, including anatomical elements, reproduction and locomotion and then outlines some of the specifics in three snake examples: garter snakes, cornsnakes and boa constrictors. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

5 pages in length. An excellent discussion on the use of tissue culture to enhance genetics. This innovative new science of plant breeding, defined as cultivar development based on genetically-enhanced breeding materials and assisted by deep understanding of genetic processes at the molecular level, has a vital role to play in tomorrow's agriculture, especially in tomorrow's new crop agriculture. ...