History of Biotechnology

Biotechnology has been practiced for thousands of years. It dates back to when man first learned how to plant crops or breed animals. The discovery of fermentation defined its beginning. The natural process involved microorganisms for the production of food and medicine. The method included making cheese and yogurt from milk; converting fruit juices into wine; leavening bread; and making beer, which the Egyptians recorded as a prescription medicine in 1600 B.C. Archeologists reveal that these early practices has were around between 5,000 to 10,000 B.C.

The North American Animals

Among all North American countries Canada mostly shares its vast land with much that is wild and natural.

Biotechnology and Religion

Biotechnology and religion often do not mix. Consider some of the major biotechnological advances that have happened within the past decade. With each news report outlining the benefits of the new technology, it also touches on the opposition, often by religious groups.

A Guide to Biotechnology

Biotechnology is basically recreation and reinvention of nature. It deals with the manipulation of living organisms in order to make or improve products, enhance plants and animals or generate microorganisms to make human life and the environment better.

Biology: Insect Life-Cycles - The Mosquito - Culex pipiens

The mosquito (Culex pipiens) lays its eggs in stagnant water. The eggs stick together in a 'raft' and are buoyed up by the air trapped between them. The eggs hatch into larvae which escape into the water from the bottom of the egg cases.

Seeking Arthritis Pain Relief

There are a lot of ailments that can severely affect people's lives. Arthritis is a common but very painful condition that burdens many people nowadays. Arthritis pain relief is important to sufferers because the pain from this ailment can impair normal physical functions. There are different types of arthritis but the essential cause is the inflammation of joints. This ailment can affect joints in the shoulder, elbow, knee, hips, hands or neck.

Tips on Finding Science Fair Project Topics

There comes a moment in every child’s life when he or she must take on the challenge and choose from an array of science fair project topics. While some kids search for the easiest subject possible, disregarding any reward that may come from exploring something rather unknown and exciting, there are plenty of science fair project topics that can still make the grade, as well as keep the interest of the student in mind.

Zoological Tidbits

The animal world is much more fascinating than most of us know. See how many of these facts about our fellow passengers on planet Earth grab your attention!

DNA Molecules

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the component containing the blueprint that specifies the biological development and composition of every form of life. Its general structure is in the form of a double helix and is primarily made up of nucleic acids. DNA is a polymer strand of nucleotides that contain sequences using genetic codes. For most complex cells, DNA is actually located in the cell nucleus. The physical model of the DNA molecule has always been a source of great mystery to a lot of people. How can a tiny molecule be responsible for carrying all genetic information?

African Wild Dog - Lycaon pictus

This is one of the most endangered large carnivores in the world, and in the last years a great effort has been addressed to preserving the species from extinction. Distribution, density, and population structure have been investigated throughout the continent, together with habitat and area requirements, diet, and behavioural aspects of its ecology.

Astronomy

The stars have always been a fascinating subject. Perhaps that's one reason why astronomy is so popular these days. In essence, Astronomy isn't just about studying stars, as most people think. It's actually a study of celestial objects, which includes not only stars but also planets, comets and entire galaxies.

If You Could Clone

Imagine that a cloning process for humans has been perfected. The debate begins over what person should be manufactured first. Of course, the United Nations – representing all mankind – will appropriate the privilege of selecting the model.

What is Biomimetics

Drawing on nature for inspiration is a recognised science known as biomimetics, taken from the Greek words bios (meaning life) and mimesis (meaning imitation). Innovators have recognised that the world around us is an unlimited resource of intricate ideas just waiting to be copied. While modern industries use this concept to produce ever more high-tech inventions, there are some famous examples of biomimetics that we can all appreciate.

Genetic Drift and Devolution

Evolutionists suggest that genetic drift, through the mutation process, increases genetic variability. It reverses the decrease of variability in a population’s gene pool, caused by the selective pressure of speciation. Genetic drift is thought to even reverse the increase of entropy, expected in closed systems. However, the problem of this hypothesis is the lack of evidence, namely, that new genes do arise from genetic drift to such an extent that the increase of entropy is reversed.