A Typical Animal Cell…

This entry is part 1 of 5 in the series Cell Structure

A cheek cell is a typical animal cell. With a light microscope you can clearly see the cell surface membrane, nucleus and the cytoplasm. You would probably struggle to identify the mitochondria. The cell membrane… forms a thin covering to the cell controls what enters and leaves the cell allows oxygen and dissolved food substances …
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How Science Works #2…

This entry is part 2 of 10 in the series How Science Works

The theory of evolution attempts to explain the many connections between all living things on Earth. The fossil record, evidence from genes, geographical distribution and laboratory experiment all point towards living things sharing a common ancestor from about 3.5 billion years ago. Simple, self-replicating molecules may have become more complex bacteria-like organisms from which all …
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Trophic levels…

This entry is part 2 of 3 in the series Ecology

I mentioned previously that plants are the first step in nearly all food chains. A food chain or food web describes the flow of energy between the organisms in a habitat. Each step in the food chain represents a different ‘trophic level’ (trophic is a word that refers to nutrition).  The first level contains the …
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Happy Birthday Darwin…

This entry is part 5 of 10 in the series Notable Scientists

Often, films, books or sporting events do not live up to their hype. When you finally get a chance to see them you feel disappointed and the excitement quickly fades. 150 years ago today, a book was published that is still as relevant and important today as it was on 24th November 1859. Charles Darwin …
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Inherited Characteristics…

This entry is part 2 of 5 in the series Genetics

The Internet is mostly kittens but I think that this is my first picture of any. If you just want cute there is always the numbat. I chose this picture because these kittens all share the same parents, and although very similar in many ways, they also show variation. The variation you see between different …
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Green Revolution…

This entry is part 2 of 10 in the series Notable Scientists

“…a change in the right direction, but it has not transformed the world into a Utopia” One of my science heroes was a biologist and agricultural innovator. To some, one of the greatest human beings ever to have lived, to others a source of inequality and supporter of western agribusiness. He is estimated to have saved over a …
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Chucky D…

This entry is part 4 of 10 in the series Notable Scientists

It’s been a while since Charles Darwin has featured and such things should not be allowed to continue. I watched the BBC Horrible Histories Prom from the Royal Albert Hall, which was my first encounter with the theatre group, and I thought it was wonderful. I was delighted to find this little historical gem on YouTube.