Regina's Biology Blog August 2006 Archive

Connective Tissue © Richard Harris / BIODIDAC Connective tissue serves a "connecting" function in the body. It supports and binds other tissues. Connective tissue typically has cells ... Read More

Golgi Apparatus © Dennis Kunkel The Golgi complex or Golgi apparatus is responsible for manufacturing, warehousing and shipping certain cellular products, particularly those from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). ... Read More

A               B               C Credit: A, E. Indriati, Band C, D.W. Frayer In 2004 paleoanthropologists ... Read More

Many of us have seen the famous tongue taste map in our science textbooks. This map indicates that receptors for the different tastes (sour, sweet, bitter, salty, umami-savory) ... Read More

The energy that powers our cells is obtained from the foods we eat. The most efficient way for cells to harvest energy stored in food is through cellular respiration. Glucose, derived ... Read More

Hormones are molecules produced and secreted by endocrine glands in the body. Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol and are lipid-soluble molecules. How do steroid hormones work? Steroid hormones pass through the ... Read More

Do Protista, Monera or Animalia sound familiar? Organisms are classified into one of six Kingdoms of life. They are placed into these categories based on similarities or common characteristics. These ... Read More

Biology can be filled with words that sometimes seem incomprehensible. By "dissecting" these words into discrete units, even the most complex terms can be understood. To demonstrate this concept, let's begin by ... Read More

Bacteriophage Structure© Gary E. Kaiser Viruses cannot reproduce or express their genes without the help of a host. Viruses that kill their infected host cell are called virulent. The ... Read More

Regenerating Zebrafish HeartCredit: Liza Gross PLoS Biology A study on zebrafish heart regeneration has revealed the molecules involved in the heart regeneration process. Researchers were able to identify sets ... Read More

Influenza Virus ParticlesCredit: Dr. F. A. Murphy/CDC Viruses are unique. They have been classified as both living and nonliving at various points in the history of biology. ... Read More

An allele is an alternative form of a gene (one member of a pair) that is located at a specific position on a specific chromosome. For example, the gene for seed ... Read More

Bacteriophage Structure© Gary E. Kaiser Bacterial viruses or bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria. They are perhaps the best understood viruses, yet at the same time, their structure can ... Read More