Essays and Research Papers on Biology

This 5 page paper provides an overview of the Anamorphic Phylum, the phylum that contains aspergillus, saccardoan and other fungi. This paper provides an overview of the central background and function of this fungus species. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 7 page paper discussing the link between increased temperature and increase aggressive behavior. Increased irritability, inability to concentrate on routine tasks and a general lack of patience with small irritations all can be called signs of heat frustration. Even when temperatures are not high enough to cause physical problems, several studies indicate that increased temperatures do ...

A 5 page overview of Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection. Defines population and provides examples of those populations of birds which captivated Darwin's attention. Outlines how populations are affected by natural selection and how evolution occurs. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

12 pages in length. Ever since the tenets of philosophy came into existence, there has been an ongoing debate between the concepts of realism and nominalism. When one considers these two divergent viewpoints, one is quick to discern their repelling structure, inasmuch as no individual can allege to support both doctrines; clearly, one ...

A 10 page outline of the evolution of teeth from the lower vertebrates to more advanced species such as man. Describes the origin of jaw structure and structures such as conodonts (minute toothlike structures) which were the precursors of advanced teeth. Outlines the further evolution of these teeth in the higher mammals with the ...

This 5 page paper outlines procedures which may be used to create a safer working climate in the laboratory. A technique to substitute more risky materials is explored. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page discussion of the use of lichens as biological indicators. Defines lichens, describes their varied and important ecological roles, and discusses the various environmental parameters which affect their growth, diversity, and distribution. Emphasizes the importance of analytical techniques which utilize lichens in assessing the impacts of air pollution. Bibliography ...

(5 pp) As an average person, I don't think that I get any dirty than most, yet the other day I did agree to help some friends move into a new apartment, and the majority of me was filthy, to the max. I decided that it was time to use one of the super-duper ...

(5 pp). As we move into a new century we become more aware of how hard we were on the planet in the last one hundred years. This discussion examines the general criteria of an ecosystem, and then illustrates what an ecosystem is, by describing one on a north facing slope, and one ...

A five page paper which investigates the ways in which temperature variation affects the metabolic rate of S. cerevisiae, and ways in which this is relevant in both scientific and commercial applications. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page overview of cattle behavior. Provides a background on cattle domestication and the long term relationship with man. Notes, however, that cattle behavior in more open areas is considerably more complex than that observed in feed lots and dairy barns. Correlates behavior such as grazing, sleeping, and body position to ...

A 6 page overview of the yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Describes the organism as one which has been utilized by man for over one-thousand years. Typical uses include not only that as a leavening for bread and fermentation for liquor, however, but also experimental utilization in many biochemical and genetic investigations. Comments on ...

A 10 page paper. The Exxon Valdez spilled 11 millions of oil that eventually stretched for 1,300 miles along the west coast of Alaska. The process used to clean up the shoreline was bioremediation. By introducing specific microorganisms, growth of natural bacteria that eat hydrocarbons is enhanced. This essay discusses and describes the process ...

A 5 page overview of the literature reporting on the status of knowledge regarding the factors which influence the adhesion of microbial organisms. Notes that many of these factors are the same in the oral environment as they are in other environments. Emphasizes the importance of the curvature and molecular configuration of the ...

A 12 page overview of canine oral spirochetes, concentrating on Treponema denticola, Treponemapectinovorum, and Treponema maltophilum. Notes that although oral microflora cannot be held solely responsible for the presence or absence of periodontal disease and associated conditions, thesemicroflora do manifest differently in healthy verses diseased tissue. This observation is true both in the species ...

A 12 page paper which discusses various aspects concerning the science of excavating human remains, with emphasis on such endeavors in Israel as it relates primarily to first century discoveries. The archeological sites of Qumran and Masada are mentioned. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 12 page report discusses the effects of volatile (inhalation) anesthetics on G-proteins. G proteins are a key to the chemical “switches” that get take place in order to communicate messages in the body. As the receptors react, they change shape which then allows for the G protein to also change. It releases the a GDP molecule and grabs onto ...

An 8 page discussion of behavioral evolution and the role of behavioral science in that evolution. Notes that behavioral changes occur over time on both an individual level and a cultural level. Compares these changes with biological evolution through the process of natural selection. Warns that while the intervention of behavioral science ...

5 pages in length. Canadian forensic science is an integral component to the overall nature of victim identification. No matter the situation, Canada's forensic scientists are one of the first to arrive on the scene in order to collect pertinent clues for body cataloging. Basic identification is not so difficult a task ...

A 5 page paper discussing newly discovered information reported in a 2001 issue of The New York Times and its implication for promoting understanding of AIDS/HIV infection. This discovery is that the HIV virus is able to attack the first line of defense against invasion, the CD-4 cells responsible for collecting invading particles and delivering them to the ...

A 7 page discussion of genetic pathways, specifically the direction of the orderly expression of specific gene subsets, a process which is controlled by tissue-specific transcription factors. Specific DNA target sequences are bound by these transcription factors and, in turn, interact with one another on either a cooperative basis or an antagonistic basis to ...

A 10 page overview of the complexity of ecological problems created by algal blooms. Emphasizes that these blooms are caused by excess nutrient loading through pollutant discharges and that they result in tremendous impacts to ecological systems. Outlines the current state of regulation in regard to nutrient loading and details its application to ...

A 10 page overview of the Ediacaran Biota, an assemblage of fascinating organisms first discovered in the fossil record in 1946. Describes the ongoing controversy as to whether these organisms belonged to the Animal Kingdom or comprised their own previously undescribed kingdom. Presents the ancillary question that if these organisms were indeed animals ...

A 5 page paper discussing the growing problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, how is occurs and why it is of such great issue now. Greater awareness in both health care and agriculture can be of immense benefit in at least slowing the rate at which our antibiotics are losing their effectiveness. Bacteria have shown themselves ...

An 8 page overview of the physiological basis of our perceptions. Discusses the phenomenon of phantom limbs in depth and relates this phenomenon to neurological processes and the structure of the brain itself. Suggests that given the number of physiological processes which can lead to false perceptions it difficult to trust even our ...