Essays and Research Papers on Mixed Issues in Science

A 15 page scientific report regarding the germination rates of two species of fleabanes, Oregon fleabane (Erigeron speciosus) and Piper's Daisy (Erigeron piperianus). Provides information regarding the distribution and ecologies of the two species, their importance from both agricultural and ecological standpoints, and information (based on the unpublished work of Ronald J. Burkey at ...

A 5 page review of thermoregulation in animals. Discusses the differences between ectothermia and endothermia in reptiles, fish, mammals and birds. Discusses animals classified as poikilothermic, having a body temperature which fluctuates widely, and those classified as homeothermic, having a narrowly constricted body temperature range. Includes a representative graph of these variations ...

This 4 page paper provides an overview of the basic elements of bat echolocation as an process that is separate from the auditory and visual receptive capabilities of other mammals. This paper considers the prevalent biological structures and other components of bat physiology that determine the capacity for echolocation, also known as sonar. ...

A 14 page literature review of brood parasitism among the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). Explores the concept of whether genetic makeup determines host preference or if this phenomena is really a result of the mature bird seeking out habitat in which it was raised and consequently encountering more nests of a specific species in ...

A 7 page overview of the role of the central nervous system in motor functions. Specific information is provided about such components of the central nervous system as the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and neurons. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 6 page overview of osmosis in the living organism and in industrial applications such as desalination, sewage treatment, and groundwater treatment. The term osmosis is used to denote the process by which liquids move through a semipermeable membrane. Bibliography lists five sources.

An 8 page research paper on prey-size selection as it relates to spiders. A number of relevant concepts are examined including : aggressive mimicry, pirate spiders vs. web-invading araneophagic spiders, the role of mimetids, and more. Bibliography lists approximately 20 sources.

A 10 page overview of the insects, their benefits and adverse impacts to humans. Emphasis is placed on their status as disease vectors. Bibliography lists five sources.

A good 6 page analysis of the nature vs. nurture controversy regarding factors that contribute most strongly to human development. The writer assesses both sides of the issue, explains its relevance to sociology & sociobiology, and determines that the development of a personality and the characteristics of that personality actually depend upon a combination of ...

A detailed, 5 page overview of hornets in which the writer analyzes the species from a biological perspective. Reproduction, hibernation, metabolism, and pursuit of prey are some of the many items explored. Bibliography lists 2+ sources.

A 3 page overview, covering items similar to "Hornets : A Sub-species of Social Wasps" (hornet.wps)- only with lesser attention to detail and no bibliography.

An 8 page research paper about the effects of sulfur dioxide on plants in a variety of locales. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

An 8 page overview of the effects and interactions of bacteria on plants. Emphasizes that plants are dependent on some of these interactions but are adversely impacted by others. Includes commercial and non-commercial impacts as well as a mention of efforts to commercially capitalize on the interactions of plants and bacteria by producing ...

A 5 page overview of the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Includes information on its evolutionary relationship to the crocodile, its reproductive strategy, habitat preferences, subsistence patterns and other behavior. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page paper that discusses the causes of the dramatic decrease in the numbers of amphibians in Australia and Central America. The essay describes a study conducted by a group of scientists who not only found the cause of the declining population but who discovered a new fungus. Bibliography lists 1 source.

In this 6 page essay, the author examines several factors inhibited and/or facilitating a frog's ability to jump using certain key muscles. Beginning with an introductory overview of amphibian/frog muscle structure, various idiosyncratic elements in the jump are explored. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

10 pages in length. Howler monkeys face an uncertain future with regard to species survival. The tree-dwelling, fruit-eating primates who are indigenous to Central and South America make their home far within the rain forest, where they have been met with significant hardship and population decline on account of mankind's ongoing deforestation and ...

A 5 page exploration of DNA and its relations to cellular reproduction. Includes a discussion of cellular structure, mitosis, and meiosis. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page essay that defines, analyzes the current situation and provides an overview of actual and potential solutions to the problems caused by the nitrogen glut. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

An 8 page paper discussing the origin, movement and physical attributes of the substance that is known as lava once it exits its volcano. Formed under intense heat (up to 4300C) and pressure, magma has no choice but to rise. The absolute chemical composition varies according to location on the earth's surface, and ...

A 15 page paper discussing the role of polymers in controlled-release drug delivery systems. Includes six illustrations and graphs. Bibliography includes eight sources.

A 9 page examination of the industrial mineral - clay. Paper explores its chemical and physical properties, origin, and industrial uses. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 5 page overview of the history of and uses for this broad range of highly reactive compounds so often used as catalysts for many of the processes involved in products ranging in function from containing milk to operating supercomputers. The paper discusses carbonyl cations and anions, hydroformylation and polyalkene polymerization. The entire ...

A 5 page paper discussing these rare forms of silica. Generally only found in areas where quartz rocks have been subjected to extremely high pressure such as in Arizona's Meteor Crater, stishovite was first discovered in sandstone that had been converted to glass as a result of the impact of the meteor. While ...

This 6 page report discusses the physical features of Mount St. Helens in southwestern Washington State and compares it briefly with Mount Etna in Sicily. Bibliography lists 7 sources.