Traits of Life: Links

STUFF OF LIFE | LIFE NEEDS ENERGY | LIFE MAKES MORE LIFE | CHANGE OVER TIME

THE STUFF OF LIFE

Organisms as Research Models . Information on researchers’ use of certain organisms, called "model organisms," to learn how life works.

All about DNA . The Dolan DNA Learning Center at Cold Spring Harbor maintains an expansive resource on genetics, from the basics of what genes are to the mechanics of what they do.

Cells for Kids . A child-friendly introduction to cells, the building blocks of all living things.

LIFE NEEDS ENERGY

Termite Ecology . Learn how termites maintain healthy ecosystems by breaking down wood and returning nutrients to the soil.

The Carbon Cycle and Global Warming . Information on carbon’s role in life cycles and the effect of increased carbon dioxide levels on global warming.

How Carbon Moves Through the Environment . All about photosynthesis, respiration, and the carbon cycle.

The Microbial World . Information on the ecological role of bacteria and other microbes.

The Microbe Zoo . Learn about photosynthetic bacteria that live in aquatic environments.

The Oxygen Polluters . Information on cyanobacteria, the 3.5-billion-year-old bacteria that produced enough oxygen to create the atmosphere we depend on today.

Make a Bacteria Colony . Find out how bacteria help support life on earth, and make your own bacteria communities, called Winogradsky columns.

LIFE MAKES MORE LIFE

Cell Division . See an animated introduction to mitosis (the process that makes new cells) and meiosis (the process that makes sperm and eggs).

Sea Urchin Embryology . Extensive resource on the fertilization and development pathways of sea urchins, complete with animations and time-lapse videos.

Visible Human Embryo . A virtual tour through the 40 weeks of pregnancy and the stages of human development.

Sperm Photo Gallery . Images of sperm from different species and newly fertilized eggs.

Ultraviolet Flower Patterns . See how a wide variety of flowers attract bees with special UV patterns. Flowers shown with visible light and UV filter.

CHANGE OVER TIME

Issues in Evolution . Links to articles on a range of evolution-related topics, from evidence of evolution and interpreting the fossil record to investigations of human origins and an interview with E.O. Wilson.

Virtual Fossils . A virutal museum explaining the science behind fossils, and their role in revealing clues to evolutionary events and patterns.

Human Breeding . A primer on breeding for special characteristics in plants and animals through artificial selection.

Mutant Fruit Flies . This online Exploratorium exhibit looks at genetic mutations in fruit flies.

Renovation of the Traits of Life exhibit labels in 2010 was supported through the generous support of the Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences.