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The Communal Need for Biodiversity Conservation & Why It Is Important to Everyone ____________________________________________________________________________ Diversity of life on Earth is vast and intricate. Every species carries a unique, interwoven role. Yet, biodiversity sustaining our planet is under threat. Scientists foresee unprecedented extinction rates. These are far above natural “background” rates, and these elevated rates are a result of primarily human activities (Ehrlich & Pringle in 2008).  ____________________________________________________________________________ So, how do we define biodiversity? Why does it hold such importance, and how do we keep it safe? These are the questions worth exploring.  Biodiversity is the variety of a biological system, more specifically the diversity in variance of all life forms on Earth, including plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms. It also defines the ecosystems they create, and the genetic distinctions ...
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Evolution: WHAT IS IT?

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Let's unpack: WHAT IS EVOLUTION?!      It is often stated that evolution is the base of all biological knowledge. It involves the demonstration or explaining of how life on Earth has adapted and changed over a tremendous period of time, though more specifically - millions of years.  In this blog, we will be diving into what evolution really  is, why it is important to understand, and tackle the common misconceptions of evolution - and how to respond to them. So, first of all, what is evolution exactly?      Evolution is the process of showing how species of organisms - not limited to humans - change over time through aspects like natural selection, mutation, genetic drift, gene flow, and nonrandom mating. Every living thing has DNA/genetic components that determine traits - size, eye color, maybe behavior, and so on. Over many, and I mean many  generations, small changes occur and these unique traits ultimately compile together to lead t...
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The Science Behind How Organisms Adapt and Respond to Their Environment!

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How Organisms Adapt & Respond to Their Environment! Have you ever been to a sunflower field and questioned why the flowers turn toward the sun? Or, why you immediately drop your toast after picking it up out of the toaster when it is too hot? Oddly enough, these are two great examples of how biotic, otherwise known as living, organisms respond to their environment! We, as humans, live out examples of biology every day! Let's Talk About Sensitivity: Sensitivity is known as how organisms respond to stimuli. All living things , also known as biotic organisms, respond to stimuli. This is a lavish way for describing the things that happen in an organisms environment, which could include anything, such as touch, sounds, temperatures, or light  (University of Minnesota, n.d.) . A very straightforward example may be when you turn your car on, your music is still turned up all the way from the previous night's karaoke session, and your body flinches because the music is too loud an...
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