How do fireflies glow? They combine a chemical called luciferin, an enzyme called luciferases, oxygen, and fuel. Fireflies are not actually flies; they are beetles. They are also not one single type of beetle. They come from a family of beetle called Lampyridae, which contains about 2,000 different types of beetles and nearly all of […]
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How does a cochlear implant work? It uses a microphone to turn sound into electrical signals that are transmitted directly to the cochlear nerve, bypassing the non-working part of the ear. Ears work by turning sound waves into electrical signals. The outer ear is shaped like a dish so that it directs sound waves into
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What is lichen? Lichen is not an organism. It is a symbiotic relationship between fungus and algae. There is some argument that the relationship is mutually beneficial, but there is another argument that the fungi are farming the algae. There are about 20,000 different species of lichen and they cover approximately 8% of the land
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What makes our hands different to other animals? We have an opposable thumb. We have four fingers and a thumb on each hand. We are not the only animals to have this many fingers, and we are not the only animals to have an opposable thumb, but the reach of our thumb sets us apart.
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How do millipedes control their legs? Millipedes use a direct-wave gait. That means the legs move from the back to the front in a wave pattern, moving the millipede forwards. Millipedes are invertebrates, which is a cold-blooded animal with no backbone. They have an exoskeleton and they are made of multiple segments. They come from
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Why do fingernails keep growing? So that we always have them. If they didn’t keep growing, they would get worn down and be of no use. How do nails grow? Nails are made of keratin, which is the same substance our hair is made of. Keratin is a fibrous protein that is very tough and
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Why is a broken neck fatal? It isn’t always fatal. It depends on the break. Breaking a neck is a very broad term. There are 33 bones in the spine of the average person. 7 of those bones are in the neck. They are called cervical vertebrae and they have three main jobs. The first
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How do some animals walk up walls? They do it thanks to either tiny hairs on their feet or sticky pads. Animals that can walk up walls tend to divide into two categories: sticky feet or hairy feet. They all also rely on the Van der Waals force. Animals that walk up walls have to
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What is hyperthermia? It is an abnormally high body temperature. The average body temperature is between 36.5 ˚C and 37.5 ˚C. Under 35 ˚C and you have hypothermia. Between 37.5 ˚C and 38.3 ˚C you have fever. Over 38.3 ˚C, you have hyperthermia. Our body has various systems to keep us cool. All of these
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Is a photographic memory real? It has never been conclusively proven, but there are some people who come close. Memories are vital evolutionarily. They let us know who is in our pack, where to find food, how to get home, and so many other things in life. There are a lot of animals that have
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