Basic Principles Of Theory Of Evolution
Evolution theory teaches that survival is for the fittest living organism.
What is life? What is fit? And what does it mean to survive?
Well, there are many definitions of course. A useful definition, in scientific perspective, is the one that allow us to analyze myriads things with fewest principles. So here they are.
A living organism is a class of objects that share 3 traits.
1. Reproduce. Living organism can make copies.
2. Inherit. Living organism, in the process of reproducing, will inherit traits to the offspring.
3. Mutate. Living organism, in the process of inheriting, will make small mistakes.
That seems like a reasonable definition. If we look most living things around us, like dogs, cats, pigs, birds, fido, virus, etc., they all share those traits.
However, based on those definitions, God is not alive, while computer virus, religious doctrines, ideologies, and ideas are alive.
I don’t think God will mind though. It’s just a definition.
The practical aspect is that we can use evolution theory to explain the sort of humans, cats, dogs, germs, doctrines, ideologies, and ideas that are common nowadays.
Different living organism performs those 3 traits differently. Those living organism that reproduces a lot becomes plenty. Those that reproduced a lot, become common.
That’s the basic of evolution theory.
For example, we see that peacocks tend to have long elaborated tails. From this, we can guess peacocks with long elaborate tail must have made more peachicks. Perhaps, peahen love peacocks with long elaborate tails. It’s true.
Suppose it were true. Then peacocks with longer tails will mate with more peahens. Those happy couples will then produce more peachicks.
Male peachicks will inherit long tails. Female peachicks will inherit preferences for long tail. So, peahens like peacocks with long tail.
It looks like a circular argument. It is. The truth is we don’t really know for sure, at least just from the reasoning, why peacocks have long tail.
However, we do know that traits that lead to gene pool survival through sexual selection tend to be positive feedback.
Those are traits that either enhance gene pool survival through regular means or signal capability to survive on the females. Samples of the former are Cheetah’s speed and men’s wealth. Samples of the latter are peacock’s tail and sport cars.
The more peacocks have longer tail, the more peacocks in the future, will have even longer tails. The more peahens in the future will get turned on by long tail even more.
Now, most males are poor. Does that mean women like the poor? Does being poor serve gene pool survival? That will be on Snark.
The answer to the first question is no. The answer to the second is, well, sort of due to various unnatural sex laws against consensual sex. It’s tricky.
Categories: Education, Popular, Science Tags: against, Basic, Basic Principles Of Theory Of Evolution, cars, Principles, Snark, Theory Of Evolution
Animals and The Melting Arctic Ice Cap
The arguments for global warming can sound a bit vacuous when discussing temperature changes of only one degree. The impact of the melting Arctic ice cap on animals is much more tangible.
Animals and The Melting Arctic Ice Cap
There is little dispute that the Arctic ice cap is melting. Since 1979, it has definitively shrunk by 20 percent. The issue amongst most people debating global warming is whether this is because of global warming or just a natural cycle of the planet.
From a common sense point of view, it is difficult to imagine global warming is having no impact on the ice caps. The rising temperature of the planet would seem to be a common sense cause of the melting ice. Alas, common sense rarely seems to be used in debates these days.
As the cap melts, the impact on animals in the area is readily apparent. The primary problem is the reduction of habitat. Polar bears are the most obvious animals suffering from this situation. The habitat of the polar bears is the ice flow areas around the edges of the caps. As the caps melt, the flows are disappearing and pulling back to the extent that there is no ice on the shores. The extent of the melting is such that a Russian ship was able to reach the North Pole in 2005 without the use of an ice breaker. This lost habitat is pushing the polar bears to the edge of extinction. Various estimates put the total population at 20,000 and dropping.
There are, however, positive developments for some species. Recent empirical evidence shows the various seal populations of the Arctic are exhibiting growing population numbers. The exact reason is unclear, but they are appearing more and more in southern regions of the cap, which leads to the conclusion that their habitat is actually expanding.
The receding caps are also opening up extensive new habitats for fish. The melting ice is full of nutrients and fish migration to the new opening seas is astounding. Pink salmon, in particular is being seen spawning in rivers far to the north of their usual spawning grounds.
In general snark, the impact of the melting Arctic ice caps is a mixed situation. The polar bears certainly don’t see anything to be happy about.
Categories: Education, Science Tags: about, Animals, Animals and The Melting Arctic Ice Cap, arctic, fish, full, habitats, ice cap, melt, melting, North Pole, polar bears, salmon, seals, The Melting Arctic Ice Cap
Science Fair Project Ideas
There are many different 8th grade science fair project ideas that you could use for your next assignment, these are used depending on the type of project that you wish to create and they are basically categorized in the sciences of physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, social sciences and environmental sciences. Each of your projects should have a guideline of how to use it and how to prove its efficiency. You should know that many interesting actual projects have developed from good ideas for science projects.
The best part about a science fair project is that you may have your very own group of science fair topic ideas and then you just need to select one and start working on a project that will allow you to compete in this activity that have formed part of education for a long time. A very good method for acquiring 8th grade science fair project ideas will be described in the next few lines if you’re interested in understanding the basics of a science fair project.
The first thing that you should do is to pick one topic of the classification which was stated above, and once you have accomplished that you need to select one of the different subtopics that can be applied to the general topic that you just selected. It is very interesting to ask yourself a question about how things work, and if there are some questions that you cannot answer then those are very good ideas for science projects.
Another good technique for selecting science fair topic ideas will be to read the newspaper and watch television, see what interesting aspects of life are developing nowadays and try to explain them on a science fair project. That way you will get outstanding 8th grade science fair project ideas and with them you will be capable of winning a wonderful prize. And you will have an excellent group of ideas for science projects.
Keep in mind that for selecting the best 8th grade science fair project ideas your selection must be not only a great question, but a successful project also implies that you would be giving the answer by performing an experiment. So it is very important that you prepare yourself with all of the needed materials once you have reduced to one selection from your complete group of good ideas for science projects.
Try to make the project by yourself, ask as little assistance as you can and you will feel that your 8th grade science fair project ideas were incredible and that you accomplished everything by yourself; it will leave you with a sense of accomplishment that cannot be equaled if you win with the help of others.
