Tutoring biology, evolutionary concepts arise. The tutor mentions adaptive radiation. Adaptive radiation is likely one of the best-loved ideas relating to evolution. It starts with an original, single species that has a number of niches available. The concept is that …
Tutoring biology, terms come up. The tutor mentions plasmid. In cell biology, a plasmid is a section of DNA outside of and independent from the cell’s chromosomes. A plasmid may contain genes not found in the chromosomes of its host. …
Tutoring biology, applications arise. The tutor mentions phage therapy. Phage therapy is an elegant way to tackle harmful bacteria. It involves using a virus, called a bacteriophage or simply a phage, that attacks a specific type of bacteria. Phages don’t …
Tutoring biology, methods of reproduction arise. The tutor mentions budding. Budding is a type of asexual reproduction in which a new individual starts as a growth from its parent, but then may eventually separate or else just function independently. Potato …
Tutoring biology, ideas about evolution arise. The tutor mentions coevolution. Coevolution is the concept that two species evolve parallel with each other; it could be due to a combative or cooperative relationship. If one imagines the two coevolving species to …
Tutoring biology, biogeography comes up. The tutor mentions its connection with evolution. In biogeography, biologists observe and theorize about where species are found and why. For instance, the fact that kangaroos are only found in Australasia is a question for …
Tutoring biology, respiration is a topic. The tutor compares aerobic with anaerobic. Respiration, on a cellular level, means reacting a fuel (typically glucose) to produce energy. If the reaction depends on oxygen, it’s aerobic; if not, then it’s anaerobic. Curiously, …
Tutoring biology, the concept of gene therapy arises. The tutor gives a top-down idea. Gene therapy means changing the genetic profile of an organism in order to promote health. Its motivation is generally grounded in one or more goals: Replacing …
Tutoring biology (aka life science), one encounters the cell cycle. The tutor summarizes it. The cell cycle is a top-down view of how a cell spends its time. It’s divided into two main phases, interphase (preparing to divide) and mitosis …
Tutoring biology, laws of ecology can be fascinating. The tutor mentions an example of Gaston’s Law. In a previous post I mention Gaston’s Law: the principle that a species with a small range is typically harder to find even within …