Biological Concepts Research Articles

Osmosis: Chewy naked egg, in or out?

The experimental method is the right way to learn biology. Osmosis is an important biological concept that can be used to understand other biology concepts and requires experimental activities so students can understand it better. The implementation of experimental activities will be guided by Student Worksheets (LKPD-Ex). The purpose of this study was to develop LKPD-Ex on osmosis experiments with chicken egg media for class XI students. This research is a development-research (RnD) using a four-D model, namely the definition phase, design phase, development phase, and deployment phase. However, it was changed to 3D because the media was developed only to test the feasibility of the E-LKPD media. Good validation results from experts score 89.08% of the assessment of material experts and media experts, and 92.63% of student responses with very decent criteria. From these data it can be concluded that the development of Experimental Student Worksheets (LKPD-Ex) on the Osmosis Experiment is very feasible to be used as an alternative in the learning process so that it can be tested in supporting the maximum learning process.

Biomimetics for innovative and future-oriented space applications - A review

Nature benefits from a progressive evolution over millions of years, always adapting and finding individual solutions for common problems. Hence, a pool of diverse and efficient solutions exists that may be transferable to technical systems. Biomimetics or bio-inspiration has been used as a design approach for decades, revolutionizing products and processes throughout various industries. Thus, multiple examples can also be found in the space sector, since many characteristics found in biological organisms are also essential for space systems like response-stimuli adaptability, robustness and lightweight construction, autonomy and intelligence, energy efficiency, and self-repair or healing capabilities. This review focuses on biomimetics within the field of aerospace engineering and summarizes existing bio-inspired concepts such as drilling tools (wood wasp ovipositor drilling), telescopes (lobster eye optics), or gasping features (gecko feet adhesion capabilities) that have already been conceptualized, partially tested, and applied within the space sector. A multitude of biological models are introduced and how they may be applicable within the space environment. In particular, this review highlights potential bio-inspired concepts for dealing with the harsh environment of space as well as challenges encountered during rocket launches, space system operations and space exploration activities. Moreover, it covers well-known and new biomimetic concepts for space debris removal and on-orbit operations such as space-based energy production, servicing and repair, and manufacture and assembly. Afterwards, a summary of the challenges associated with biomimetic design is presented to transparently show the constraints and obstacles of transferring biological concepts to technical systems, which need to be overcome to achieve a successful application of a biomimetic design approach. Overall, the review highlights the benefits of a biomimetic design approach and stresses the advantage of biomimetics for technological development as it oftentimes offers an efficient and functional solution that does not sacrifice a system’s reliability or robustness. Nevertheless, it also underlines the difficulties of the biomimetic design approach and offers some suggestions in how to approach this method.

Persepsi Siswa Terhadap Penggunaan Laboratorium Sebagai Sumber Belajar Siswa Kelas XI SMA Negeri 16 Medan

This study aims to see how students view the laboratory as a learning resource. The main task of the laboratory is to conduct experiments to support biological concepts and enable the development of scientific methods in biology classes. XII Waterfall Village, Medan Marelan District, North Sumatra, 20256. The subjects used were students of class XI IPA 3. This study used a qualitative method involving language studies. However, according to data obtained from the results of the questionnaire, 92% of students in science class 3 among 37 subjects who answered the questionnaire said that placement in the lab could improve student learning outcomes. Laboratory learning has certain advantages compared to other learning methods. This means that students directly gain experience and skills in doing internships, increase student participation both individually and in groups, and students learn to understand the principles of the scientific method. 
 Keywords: Perception, Laboratory, Learning Resources

Integrative approach resolves the systematics of barred wolf snakes in the Lycodon striatus complex (Reptilia, Colubridae)

AbstractWe reviewed the systematics of Lycodon striatus (Shaw, 1802), including all available name‐bearing types of its synonyms after evaluating phylogeographic (genetics), morphological (morphometry, meristic, and hemipenes), osteological and distribution evidence. Lycodon striatus sensu lato is widely distributed throughout South and Central Asia and mimics elapids. Based on phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA, we demonstrate that populations from (i) eastern and central Peninsular India plus Sri Lanka and (ii) south‐western parts of Central Asia form two different clades representing two distinct species: L. striatus sensu stricto and L. bicolor comb. nov. respectively. These two clades are sisters to L. deccanensis (in the case of L. striatus) and L. jara (in the case of L. bicolor) and together form two main sister radiations. Although the external morphological variability is high in both species, the genetic variability is higher only in L. striatus but not distinct enough to represent more than one species if using the phylogenetic or biological species concept. The phylogeny of the L. aulicus group hints at Sri Lankan L. striatus, likely having evolved in continental Asia through a probable overland dispersal across the Bay of Bengal (present Palk Strait) into Sri Lanka. This dispersal may have been facilitated by low sea levels during the Pleistocene glaciations when Sri Lanka was connected to mainland India. After considering genetic divergence (with a p‐distance of 1.8%–2.1% in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene) and morphological evidence, we synonymize the Sri Lankan subspecies, L. s. sinhaleyus Deraniyagala, 1955, with L. striatus sensu stricto. The eastern and central Indian L. striatus (i.e. L. striatus sensu stricto) is morphologically distinct and deeply divergent genetically compared to Tajik and Pakistani L. bicolor with a p‐distance of 13.6% in cytochrome b gene (mtDNA). Interestingly, L. bicolor is conspecific (p‐distance 1.4%) with L. mackinnoni, a western Himalayan endemic, and it reveals intraspecific clinal variation.

Factors contributing to and biological concepts about early pregnancy among Filipino adolescent mothers

In the 21<sup>st </sup>century society, teenage life is the most deceitful stage in the life of a person. This is where teenagers adjust their physical and emotional changes in life. Early pregnancy becomes a social problem in our society and also in the Philippines. The study sought to determine the factors contributing to and biological concepts of adolescent mothers in early pregnancy. This mixed-method research purposively involved 30 adolescent mothers who enrolled in a state university in Zambales, Philippines. Results revealed that most adolescent mothers gave birth when they were 17-19 years old; most of them continue their studies and returned to school after three years and above. Among the factors, family and mass media do not affect their engagement in early pregnancy. Filipino adolescent mothers are all aware of the biological concepts in terms of the types of fertility control, biological processes, signs of pregnancy, and in the effects of early pregnancy. Five themes emerged on how young moms overcome their teenage pregnancy experiences. The respondents are all aware of the biological concepts in early pregnancy. Gender and development office of the university may craft programs that empower student-teenagers to cope with the challenges that they face during pregnancy.

Why We Must Teach Our Students about Race

Editorial| March 01 2023 Why We Must Teach Our Students about Race Joseph L. Graves, Jr. Joseph L. Graves, Jr. Joseph L. Graves Jr. Professor of Biological Sciences North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University gravesjl@ncat.edu Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar gravesjl@ncat.edu The American Biology Teacher (2023) 85 (3): 133. https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2023.85.3.133 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Joseph L. Graves; Why We Must Teach Our Students about Race. The American Biology Teacher 1 March 2023; 85 (3): 133. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2023.85.3.133 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentThe American Biology Teacher Search Twenty years ago, I wrote a piece for the newsletter of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study explaining how important it was to teach high school students about human biological variation and conceptions of race. The issue of variation within species has been of interest to naturalists beginning in the eighteenth century. Unfortunately, when Linnaeus published the tenth edition of Systema Naturae in 1758, he included a description of human varieties ranked hierarchically, with Europeans at the top and Africans at the bottom, as influenced by the colonialism and racism of the time. Thus began the sad history of Europeans deploying pseudoscientific schemes to classify and rank human beings. Fortunately, using concepts from the neo-Darwinian synthesis of the twentieth century based on genetic variation and phylogenetic methods, we know that modern humans do not display biological races, but earlier views are frustratingly long-lasting. Despite our modern understanding of biological variation, race... You do not currently have access to this content.

Teaching in Tandem: Using Graphs in an Active-Learning Classroom to Shape Students’ Understanding of Biology Concepts

Teaching in Tandem: Using Graphs in an Active-Learning Classroom to Shape Students’ Understanding of Biology Concepts

Reinforced diffusions as models of memory-mediated animal movement.

How memory shapes animals' movement paths is a topic of growing interest in ecology, with connections to planning for conservation and climate change. Empirical studies suggest that memory has both temporal and spatial components, and can include both attractive and aversive elements. Here, we introduce reinforced diffusions (the continuous time counterpart of reinforced random walks) as a modelling framework for understanding the role that memory plays in determining animal movements. This framework includes reinforcement via functions of time before present and of distance away from a current location. Focusing on the interplay between memory and central place attraction (a component of home ranging behaviour), we explore patterns of space usage that result from the reinforced diffusion. Our efforts identify three qualitatively different behaviours: bounded wandering behaviour that does not collapse spatially, collapse to a very small area, and, most intriguingly, convergence to a cycle. Subsequent applications show how reinforced diffusion can create movement trajectories emulating the learning of movement routes by homing pigeons and consolidation of ant travel paths. The mathematically explicit manner with which assumptions about the structure of memory can be stated and subsequently explored provides linkages to biological concepts like an animal's 'immediate surroundings' and memory decay.

Studying Reversible Protein Post-translational Modification through Co-translational Modification.

Understanding the post-translational modifications of targeted proteins is of great significance for manipulating the physiological processes of eukaryotes. Chemical biology tools have been used to investigate the biological roles of those post-translational modifications at particular sites, especially genetic code expansion technology, which can also be combined with the concept of synthetic biology to generate a genetically modified organism with a synthetic auxotroph for co-translational modification components. In this concept, we will introduce applications, limitations, and perspectives of genetic code expansion technology for studying post-translational modification based on recent progresses. Future perspectives of genetically modified organisms also will be discussed in regard to the application of post-translational modification research.

Using Attribution Sequence Alignment to Interpret Deep Learning Models for miRNA Binding Site Prediction

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that play a central role in the post-transcriptional regulation of biological processes. miRNAs regulate transcripts through direct binding involving the Argonaute protein family. The exact rules of binding are not known, and several in silico miRNA target prediction methods have been developed to date. Deep learning has recently revolutionized miRNA target prediction. However, the higher predictive power comes with a decreased ability to interpret increasingly complex models. Here, we present a novel interpretation technique, called attribution sequence alignment, for miRNA target site prediction models that can interpret such deep learning models on a two-dimensional representation of miRNA and putative target sequence. Our method produces a human readable visual representation of miRNA:target interactions and can be used as a proxy for the further interpretation of biological concepts learned by the neural network. We demonstrate applications of this method in the clustering of experimental data into binding classes, as well as using the method to narrow down predicted miRNA binding sites on long transcript sequences. Importantly, the presented method works with any neural network model trained on a two-dimensional representation of interactions and can be easily extended to further domains such as protein-protein interactions.

The Selfish Gene as a Possible Driving Force Behind HIIT

Purpose: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a training method aimed at increasing the fitness of individuals. It is based on a combination of periods in which high-intensity alternate with low-intensity exercise or passive rest. The topic of this paper is a reflection on the benefits and risks of HIIT health use in recreational athletes. We investigate humans' conscious and unconscious motivations for choosing this specific method in the philosophical discourse. Problem: HIIT is a method that, in some ways and with particular approaches, strongly reflects the imperative of the postmodern age - to get as much as possible, as quickly as possible. Martin Heidegger perceives three fundamental existentials in the context of temporality – historicity, everydayness, and within-time-ness. Here conscious motivation may be linked to the temporal characteristic of human being. As Richard Dawkins presents, unconscious motivation may be related to the application of the selfish gene theory. The philosophical approach to the problem: The Heideggerian concept of temporality leads us to research the authenticity and inauthenticity of the Dasein phenomenon. Some features of motivation for applying HIIT can be examined as inauthentic forms of being. In focusing on possible elements of unconscious motivation, the concept of evolutionary biology, namely Dawkins's theory of the selfish gene, provides a unique platform. It is primarily (a human) effort to spread genes. Here, in connection with HIIT, we build on the concepts of replicator and vehicle and deal with the basic selection unit of evolution and its form. Conclusions: HIIT presents an exciting training method that is examined in the context of effectivity of sports training, social benefits, or health aspects. Here we would like to offer the HIIT concept as the reflection of philosophical (mainly ontological, partly ethical) discourse.

Metacognitive Thinking Ability and Mastery of Biology Concepts of Students in Regional Schools Coffee Plantations with Collaborative Learning

Indonesia is one of the largest coffee producing countries in the world which is ranked 4th after Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam. One of the coffee producing areas in Indonesia is Jember Regency, East Java. However, unfortunately education in plantation areas is said to have a low quality of education where existing facilities, facilities and infrastructure are less supportive and generally still apply teacher-focused learning or conventional learning which causes learning outcomes to be suboptimal. Therefore, teachers are expected to create learning activities that can increase student activity. One of them is collaborative learning. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the application of collaborative learning sharing levels and jumping tasks on metacognitive thinking skills and mastery of biology concepts of students in coffee plantation area schools. Research methods using quasi-experiments, by determining the experimental class and control class. The research design used is pretest-posttest control group design. The application of collaborative learning level sharing and jumping tasks involves students in an active learning process, so as to improve students' metacognitive thinking skills and mastery of biological concepts. The results of research conducted at MA Al- Hidayah showed that collaborative learning sharing levels and jumping tasks can improve metacognitive thinking skills and mastery of biological concepts. The results of the ANCOVA test analysis of students' metacognitive thinking ability and mastery of biology concepts showed a significance value of 0.000 or < 0.05 H0 rejected Ha was accepted. So it can be interpreted that the application of collaborative learning sharing levels and jumping tasks has a significant effect on students' metacognitive thinking ability and understanding of biology concepts. Keywords: [Education, Collaborative Learning]

The Effect of Collaborative Learning Model Combined with Problem Solving on Critical Thinking Ability and Mastery of Biology Concept of High School Students in Coffee Plantation Area

The characteristics of students who live in a school environment near coffee plantations have low learning independence, so it is necessary to have independent learning guided by a teacher in order to foster a scientific attitude in students. The Collaborative Learning model combined with Problem Solving is a combination of two learning approaches, namely cooperative learning and problem-based learning. Both of these learning models make it possible to create a collaborative learning environment. Learning environments that support students to collaborate naturally and effectively are very important because they can develop knowledge through their own experiences. Critical thinking is included in higher order thinking skills that have the potential to increase students' critical analytical power. When students have critical thinking skills, students will carry out decision-making, strategic planning, scientific processes, and problem solving activities. The existence of problem-solving skills will also affect students' mastery of concepts. Concept mastery can be interpreted as the ability to master ideas or ideas about certain objects, events or situations that can be generated because of a number of relevant experiences. Keywords: Collaborative Learning, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking Ability, Mastery of Concept.

Microphase separation of living cells

Self-organization of cells is central to a variety of biological systems and physical concepts of condensed matter have proven instrumental in deciphering some of their properties. Here we show that microphase separation, long studied in polymeric materials and other inert systems, has a natural counterpart in living cells. When placed below a millimetric film of liquid nutritive medium, a quasi two-dimensional, high-density population of Dictyostelium discoideum cells spontaneously assembles into compact domains. Their typical size of 100 μm is governed by a balance between competing interactions: an adhesion acting as a short-range attraction and promoting aggregation, and an effective long-range repulsion stemming from aerotaxis in near anoxic condition. Experimental data, a simple model and cell-based simulations all support this scenario. Our findings establish a generic mechanism for self-organization of living cells and highlight oxygen regulation as an emergent organizing principle for biological matter.

An enigma of Handianus Ribaut, 1942 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Athysanini): identical host preferences and male calling signals in two morphologically distinctive sympatric species

Handianus eurotiae and H. fartilis distinctly differ in the forewing venation and the male genitalia shape, but have strongly overlapping ranges, do not differ in ecological preferences, feed on the same host plant, Krascheninnikovia ceratoides, and produce almost identical male calling signals. They were never found in the same biotope, although the mechanism of such vicariation is not clear. According to Mayr's biological species concept, such taxa are good species, but Paterson's species recognition concept is inapplicable in this case. Similar examples in Orthoptera and Auchenorrhyncha are considered.

Butyrate: More Than a Short Chain Fatty Acid.

The mechanistic understanding of the importance and the potential benefits of the gut microbiome has exploded in potential roles in human health and disease. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including butyrate, are one of the key metabolic end products that has been a major focus of microbiome understanding. This brief review aims to describe butyrate's relation to certain biological concepts and their clinical application. Butyrate has reportedly been described as a potent pro-resolution molecule that has a significant role in maintaining gut immunity, supporting gut barrier function, regulation of histone deacetylase (HDAC), and numerous systemic roles. Further research is needed to explore potential benefits of adding SCFAs for patients receiving total parenteral nutrition. Butyrate plays several biological roles in intestinal epithelium anti-inflammatory pathways with clear benefits in numerous acute and chronic disease states and overall human health helping to maintain homeostasis.

Coping with Death and Bereavement: A Proactive Intervention Program for Adults with Intellectual Disability

ABSTRACT Introduction Like the broader population, people with intellectual disability (ID) experience the process of grief after loss of a loved one. However, there are a series of risk factors characteristic of this population that can hinder the development of adaptive grief, including cognitive and affective aspects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief intervention program in people with ID to improve understanding of the concept of death, the grief processes, and adaptive attitudes. Method A mixed method design that included a controlled, randomized research design, was used. A total of 38 people with ID participated. The variables measured were: grief, biological and cognitive concept of death. Results The program significantly increased understanding in two dimensions of the concept of death, Inevitability and Universality, and demonstrated a greater understanding and healthier attitudes regarding death and grief. Conclusions It is recommended that, in future research studies, education on death be worked as early as possible in people with ID, in order to prevent future pathological grief.

Enabling technology and core theory of synthetic biology.

Synthetic biology provides a new paradigm for life science research ("build to learn") and opens the future journey of biotechnology ("build to use"). Here, we discuss advances of various principles and technologies in the mainstream of the enabling technology of synthetic biology, including synthesis and assembly of a genome, DNA storage, gene editing, molecular evolution and de novo design of function proteins, cell and gene circuit engineering, cell-free synthetic biology, artificial intelligence (AI)-aided synthetic biology, as well as biofoundries. We also introduce the concept of quantitative synthetic biology, which is guiding synthetic biology towards increased accuracy and predictability or the real rational design. We conclude that synthetic biology will establish its disciplinary system with the iterative development of enabling technologies and the maturity of the core theory.

Homologues and homology and their related terms in phylogenetic systematics.

In the field of phylogenetic systematics, the terms homology and homologue and their relationship to cladistic terms such as character, character state, synapomorphy and symplesiomorphy, as well as their relationships to each other, have been and are still discussed frequently. A recent re-emergence of concepts of homology/homologue free of any reference to explanatory hypotheses prompted us to explore these concepts and their relationships to each other as well as to the concept of morpheme, as introduced recently. All concepts are examined with regard to their ontological status and their bearing in the epistemological process in morphology and phylogenetic systematics. To us, morphemes, homologues and in partem character states refer to things (concrete objects in the ontological sense). However, although morphemes are exclusively descriptive, the latter two represent objects of causal explanations. Homologue always refers to the things themselves, yet a character state also can be a property or the absence of a thing. In this context, a character as a transformation series of character states does not represent a thing but a natural kind. Character states of one character are connected by homology relationships, i.e. common descent. Synapomorphy and symplesiomorphy represent different states of a single transformation series. A nonexplanatory, purely descriptive, concept of homologues is contradictory to its original as well as the post-Darwinian, evolutionary, concept which refers to causal relationships between parts of organisms and their correspondences in the archetype or ancestor, respectively. Character states, homologues and synapomorphies/symplesiomorphies can only be approximated in the form of hypotheses. We argue that the high value of the concept of homology and its related concepts for evolutionary biology should be maintained by acknowledging their explanatory nature and that dilution with nonexplanatory (even idealistic) definitions should be avoided.

Why have a bottle when you can have draught? Exploring bottle refusal by breastfed babies.

Bottle refusal by breastfed babies is a scenario that has received surprisingly little attention in the literature, given the number of mothers who appear to be experiencing it globally and the subsequent negative impact it can have. In line with this, we undertook a study to explore mothers' views on why their breastfed baby refuses to bottle feed. A parallel, two-stage, exploratory qualitative design was employed using 30 semi-structured interviews and 597 online forum posts. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis, and a biopsychosocial model was applied resulting in four overarching themes being identified: 'Breastfeeding is the answer to everything….' 'Bottle feeding: an alien concept… 'Babies are individuals' and 'Find the right bottle and don't delay'. The psychological benefits of breastfeeding, not inherent in bottle feeding, appeared to underpin some mothers' views on their baby's refusal. Other mothers explained refusal as being down to a baby's biological expectation to be fed by the breast; therefore, bottle feeding was not a normal concept to them. A baby's individual personality and temperament were also suggested as contributing to the scenario and refusal waslinked to babies disliking a certain brand of bottle and being introduced to it 'too late'. This study's findings point to a complex, multifactorial picture underpinning bottle refusal by breastfed babies, which transcends physical, psychological and biological concepts, and is influenced by socio-cultural norms surrounding infant feeding. Recognition of these contributing factors is needed to aid those supporting mothers experiencing the scenario and, importantly, to underpin mothers' decision-making around managing it.