The location of the peptidoglycan polymer in the cell walls allows for bacterial identification, differentiating Gram+ from Gram- cells. * What Is Peptidoglycan?* Peptidoglycan is a huge polymer composed of interlocking chains of identical monomers, the backbone composed of two…
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The word gymnosperm means ‘naked seed’. The seeds of gymnosperms – a branch of the flowering plants- are not protected by ovarian tissue or ovaries. Usually the seed are borne on cones and plants of the gymnosperm order include pines,firs,…
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Salvia Divinorum has been given a bad rap; it has been exploited by the uninformed media, and it has been used by the uninformed public in ways that are not proper. Salvia divinorum is not a party drug; in fact…
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Most people think of bees as the producers of honey and beeswax. While this is true, these insects serve another important purpose in nature – that of pollinating plants. Without bees, many plants that produce food and are used for…
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Beside the narrow roads at Lassen Volcanic National Park grow plants that look somewhat like tall red hyacinths. That sketchy description doesn’t do them justice though; they’re gorgeous. They’re called Snow Plants. Their scarlet spears stand out vividly against the…
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Bacteria and viruses are often lumped together into a general category of “bad things that can cause infection”. But these two types of infectious agents are very different, and the differences are important to your health. * What Is a…
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A tree’s bark is like it’s skin if it were human. The bark is there to protect the tree from disease or insects. The bark on evergreen trees comes in many thicknesses and textures. A Douglas Fir tree has very…
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Putting human male sperm on ice is something that has been a part of reproductive science for a significant amount of time. Placing animal sperm on ice and then rejuvenating it has proven much more problematic. Recently however several animal…
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The algae zooxanthellae are not coral, but they make coral reefs possible. They live within the body of coral polyps and busily photosynthesize, which the coral themselves, being animals, cannot do. This is why reef-building coral polyps, which do not…
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A cow eating grasses may not be so interesting. It may be just an ordinary activity of a creature trying to continue its life. But, have you ever wondered and compared to yourself, why and how can that happen? How…
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