Pollination

the agriculture industry has invested in genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. While there is limited scientific evidence to suggest the harmful effects of GMOs, there are some cases of pesticide resistant “superweeds” and genetic drift (cross-pollination from GMO crops into organic crops) in modern farming.…

of pesticides, as well as result in the spread of “irreversible” genetic pollution (Shiva). Genetic Pollution refers to the spread of genetically engineered organisms to other, nonengineered organisms, which can happen through mating and cross-pollination. Most GMOs negatively affect other organisms because of this genetic pollution, and some genetically modified crops can cross-contaminate organic farms because the wind can blow the altered seeds onto other farms. In fact, the communications…

Imagine it is a beautiful summer day and you are sprawled out across a towel in the soft green grass, just soaking in the warm rays of the sun as you are reading your favorite book and enjoying a delicious snack of watermelon. The air is hot and humid, but there is relief from the heat comes in the form of a cool breeze that gently ruffles your hair as it passes by. You feel completely relaxed and content in your current position, and you feel yourself slowly drifting off to sleep when you hear…

student observers. Fabricius states that the benefit of having a space where numerous students could view dissections would allow for a greater educational capacity of the institutions as well as the creation of an environment that promotes the cross pollination of ideas. Fabricius concluded his initial pitch and wished for the committees most grateful…

GMOs: The Truth Revealed As we get up in the morning and prepare for work or school eating a healthy breakfast is certainly on our mind. Who would not want to fuel their body for the day? Well, if you have eaten already today, chances are you have had food that has been touched by science as well as good old Mother Nature. Up to 80 percent of processed foods in the U.S. have been directly changed by man from the original, natural way it would grow on its own. Except for organic foods, the…

In conservation biology, genetic diversity is fundamental in understanding populations and their evolution. Conservationists analyze the individuals of a population and try to understand how such individuals may be affected by circumstances like loss of habitat, environmental changes, and exploitation, which are more often than not caused by human activities. In order to ensure the survival of many populations, researchers look at the genes and the characteristics inherited from one generation…

I. A Competitive Edge The best races have the best competitors, and angiosperms have certainly been described as having an extra edge. As discussed in the introduction, the fossil record shows that gymnosperms were quickly displaced by angiosperms upon their arrival. Yet despite the number of hypotheses (table 1) put forward to explain this shift in vegetation, gymnosperms’ competitors have not yet been discovered. Among the numerous hypotheses, three are discussed in depth here (summarised in…

Think about the many times people have intentionally killed bees or other pollinators, even though they weren’t doing any harm. All of these times add up, and consequently a major bee crisis evolves. Beekeepers continue to report hive losses each year. This means that pollinating insects have been on a steep decline for many reasons. The bees must be helped now, especially since 90% of the world’s nutrition is pollinated by bees (Green Peace, n.d.). The decline in pollinators worldwide over the…

What is Genetically Modified Food? Genetically modified (GM) foods are defined as "foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally, e.g. through the introduction of a gene from a different organism" (WHO, 2015). Genetic engineering (also called modern biotechnology or gene technology) performs this modification. The specific genes selected from one organism are transferred to another within different species such as animals,…

The Truth of Global Warming This Earth has everything a person needs to sustain life. This fact about Earth is partly the reason why Earth is so great. Seasons pass and times goes on. Along with seasons changing, the Earth also supplies a habitat to every species of plant and animal that exists on it. The Earth revolves on its axis and revolves around the sun. The planet does all that it needs to do to keep humans and animals alive. All of these things happen like clockwork. People just expect…