Chemoreception How Insects Taste

Insects like all creatures have preferences in what they like to eat. Yellow jackets, for example, are very attracted to sweets, while mosquitos are very attracted to humans. Since some insects eat very specific plants or prey, they must have a way to distinguish one taste from another. While insects dont have tongues the way humans do, when they ingest  a solid or liquid they are able to sense its chemical make up. This ability to sense chemicals is what makes up an insects sense of smell.   How Insects Taste An insects ability to taste works in much the same way it is able to smell. Special chemoreceptors in the insects nervous system trap chemical molecules. The chemical molecules are then moved and placed in contact with a dendrite, a branching projection from a neuron. When the chemical molecule contacts a neuron, it causes a depolarization of the neuron membrane. This creates an electrical impulse that can travel through the nervous system. The insect brain can then direct the muscles to take appropriate action like extending a proboscis and drinking nectar, for example. How Insects Sense of Taste and Smell Differ While insects probably dont experience taste and smell the same way humans do, they do react to the chemicals they interact with. Based on the insect behavior, researchers are confident in saying insects do smell and taste. In the same way that the human senses of smell and taste are connected, so are insects. The real difference between an insects sense of smell and sense of taste lies in the form of the chemical it is collecting. If the chemical molecules occur in gaseous form, traveling through the air to reach the insect, then we say the insect is smelling this chemical. When the chemical is present in a solid or liquid form and comes in direct contact with the insect, the insect is said to be tasting the molecules. An insects sense of taste is referred to as contact chemoreception or gustatory chemoreception. Tasting With Their Feet Taste receptors are thick-walled hairs or pegs with a single pore through which chemical molecules can enter. These chemoreceptors also called uni-porous sensilla, they usually occur on the mouthparts, since thats the part of the body involved with feeding. Like any rule, there are exceptions, and certain insects have taste buds in odd places. Some female insects have taste receptors on their ovipositors, the organ used for laying eggs. The insects can tell from the taste of a plant or other substance if it is a suitable place to lay its eggs. Butterflies have taste receptors on their feet (or tarsi), so they can sample any substrate they land on just by walking on it. As unpleasant as it is to consider, flies, also taste with their feet, and will reflexively extend their mouthparts if they land on anything edible. Honey bees and some wasps can taste with receptors on the tips of their antennae.

Neanderthal Brain Size At Birth - 1718 Words

nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; In the article, quot;Neanderthal Brain Size at Birth Provides Insights into the Evolution of Human Life Historyquot; by Marcia S. Ponce de Leon discussed human life history is characterized by an extended period of developmental immaturity. This pattern of ontogeny is thought to be necessary for higher cognitive capabilities (Ponce de Leon 37). However, recent studies suggest the differences between the human brain growth and the chimpanzees are less evident (Ponce de Leon 37). Humans reach their large adult brains by means of higher growth rates early during ontogeny (Ponce de Leon 37). With that being said, large adult brains are connected with slow life histories (Ponce de Leon 37). Even so, the†¦show more content†¦Yet, there hasnapos;t been any indication of an increase in intelligence (Henneberg 745). In modern humans, brain size and intelligence is very weak (Henneberg 745). With the exception of size, there appears to be no significant dissimilarities between the anatomy of ape and human brains (Henneberg 745).nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; In addition, the macro evolutionary enlargement of the hominid brain correspond with other mammals and body size (Henneberg 748). The micro evolutionary decrease in human brain size during intellectual and cultural achievement (Henneberg 748). The lack of intraspecfic correlation between brain size and measured human intelligence is not in result of its size (Henneberg 748). It is also probably not in result of its gross anatomical structure (Henneberg 748). Human encephalization may be more a result of the reduction in the relative body size as opposed to the increase in brain size (Henneberg 748). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; In the article, quot;Brain ontogeny and life history in Homo erectusquot; by Steven R. Leigh discussed Homo erectus provided meaningful insights about the evolution of human ontogeny, life history, as well as cognition. The similarity between hominins is determined by testing three hypotheses (Leigh 105). With that being said, Mojokertoapos;s absolute brain size is expected to be 0.5 - 1.5 year old H. sapiens (Leigh 105). The cranialShow MoreRelatedChanges Of Climate Change Across Earth1561 Words   |  7 Pageshowever, it is hard to prove this hypothesis as new fossils are found (p. 236). While H. erectus characteristics vary across continents, the majority share the same range in body size, brains, and cranial shape. H. erectus adults had robust bodies weighing more than 100 lbs. and measuring 5’6† tall. The range in H. erectus brain size is 700 to 1250 cm(^3). The most distinct characteristic of H. erectus is its cranial shape. The cran ium displays a thick cranial bone, large brow ridges, a pointy nuchal torusRead MoreComplication Of Birth.1575 Words   |  7 PagesComplication of birth nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Throughout the years, our brain shape has changed in result of the nutrition received. The amount of nutrition received is the biggest factor with regard to the change in brain size. Therefore, the sufficient nutrition increased the size of the brain. In result, the increased brain size created advanced cognitive functions. Culture nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; In chapter eight quot;Early Hominisquot; of the textbook, quot;IntroductionRead MoreFactors in the Evolution to Bipedalism766 Words   |  4 Pagesspecies has significantly changed during the course of evolution to what is now the modern day Homo sapiens. Some of the changes that have occurred through the evolution are bipedalism, changes in body features such as brow ridges, and an increase in brain capacity. Bipedalism is a form of locomotion that is on two feet and is the one factor that separates humans from other forms of hominoids. The first bipeds are believed to have lived in Africa between 5 and 8 million years ago. (HavilandRead MoreSimilarities Between Neanderthals And Modern Humans Essay2071 Words   |  9 PagesNeanderthals were a species of archaic humans who migrated out of Africa and into Europe and Asia. However, around 40,000 years ago the large populations of Neanderthals died off and became extinct. The mysterious circumstances that surrounded their extinction drove various research teams to undertake the task of excavating numerous Neanderthal sites to collect fossilized bones, and artifacts in order to learn more about this group of ancestral humans. Over the past years, major technological advancesRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie Iceman The Neanderthal 1227 Words   |  5 PagesNeanderthal Prejudice Elizabeth Armistead When humans encounter other humans, we tend to treat them differently. Whether it’s because of cultural barriers, language barriers, or something as trivial as skin color, we view some people differently than we view those who share our ethnicity, culture, and values. This is referred to as racism or prejudice and it is still an active problem in the world today. But although people can differ greatly when it comes to culture or appearance, we share mostRead MoreAncient History: Neanderthals to Homosapiens1957 Words   |  8 Pages NEANDERTHALS TO HOMOSAPIENS Neanderthal the most recent archaic human, who was introduced to this world between 300,00 and 100,000 years ago then after many years were replaced by humans between 35,000 and 24,000 years ago. Neanderthals inhabited Eurasia from the Atlantic regions of Europe eastward to Central Asia and from as far north as present-day Belgium southward to the Mediterranean and southwest Asia.† (www.britannica.com). Human populations that were very similar to Neanderthals lived inRead MoreEnvironmental Factors Affecting Human Evolution Essay1628 Words   |  7 PagesGenetic mutations appeared in cases that led to the birth of new species by creating further genetic differences that allows more of a kind of species to survive by increase the chances of producing offspring and give adaptations to survive based around a new habitat. Furthermore, responses to environmental factors show that records of some organisms responded by creating change to their environments instead of themselves. Huma ns, with larger brains than other animals, have shown to do this substatiallyRead MoreHomo Neanderthalensis- the Neanderthals3667 Words   |  15 PagesSince their discovery more than a century ago, the Neanderthals have hovered over the minds and have baffled the best-laid theories of paleoanthropologists. They seem to fit in the general scheme of human evolution, and yet they’re misfits. (Jurmain, Kilgore, Trevathan and Ciochon. p.367) In a way they are like us the modern Homo sapiens but yet are a very different species. But the real question that needs to be answered is â€Å"why the Neanderthals were considered a different species than the Homo sapiensRead MoreAncient Civilizations And The Modern World1379 Words   |  6 Pagesand humans have adapted to their surroundings. All living things have changed throughout time. The thing that differs humans from the rest is, humans are more cognitively advanced. Over the course of time the shape and size of the human skull ha ve changed. 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Industrial Production and Capitalism Drivers of Social Change Free Essays

string(191) " the workers by privately appropriating the surplus value produced by the workers, giving them much less than the use value of their time and effort invested in production \(Marx 1848: 23\)\." Industrial Production and Capitalism: Drivers of social change in history Ho Xin Qian Louise In this essay, I will illustrate why industrial production and capitalism were major causes of social change in history by stating three main arguments. Firstly, I put forth the case that industrial production and capitalism have changed the role and nature of markets in history. In doing this, I trace how the market has become the central system of social coordination via market instruments, encompassing even the elements of industry like land, labor and money. We will write a custom essay sample on Industrial Production and Capitalism Drivers of Social Change or any similar topic only for you Order Now In exemplification, I explain how industrial capitalism has brought about the rise of mass production and mass markets, enabling the market system to expand its influence. Secondly, I will illustrate how industrial capitalism has changed the social relations of production, as well as the social organization of work, resulting in class struggle and socio-economic stratification in history. Lastly, I touch on the changes in norms and culture within institutions due to industrial production and capitalism. For the purpose of this paper, I define industrial production as production brought about by mechanized technology and industrious labor in centralized locations. Capitalism is defined as a system of profit making commerce made possible by the usage of money, decentralized circulation of capital and the market exchange of commodities. I use the term industrial capitalism to denote the amalgamation of both forces. The Role and Nature of Markets in History It is my contention that industrial production has changed the role and nature of markets in history, placing it in the centre of society and economy. It is true that industrial capitalism presupposes the existence of a market system. However, the market system was never the dominant system of social control until the development of isolated markets by mercantilist means, and subsequently the transnational interaction and proliferation of markets into a market economy, brought about by industrialization in the 18thC. It is due to this transcendence of boundaries and displacement of market activity that gives rise to the â€Å"market† as an abstract mechanism. According to Polyani, before the rise of markets, the society organizes itself via systems of redistribution, house-holding and reciprocity, of which operates on non-economic motives like social prestige and kinship (Polyani 1944: 46-58). After the rise of markets with long distance and local trade, markets have started to take on a more important role in providing necessities; however, they did not function for a majority of the population, who were still dependent upon common exchange and subsistence systems. Thereafter, mercantilism created isolated national markets which consolidated local economic activity and increased trade. However, it was not until the Industrial Revolution in the mid 18thC that the market system became the main driver of social change across different countries through the creation of mass markets. The industrial revolution has brought about new forms of technology and power, transformed modes of production and created factories as centralized locations for mechanized production to take place. Mass production techniques like specialization, standardization, time-discipline, rational capital accounting and centralization allow for production costs to decrease with volume, thus generating a high amount of output, providing goods more cheaply than one could have done outside of the factory. As a result, people buy their essentials from these mass markets rather than produce by themselves. Also, they produce solely for the market, deriving income to purchase other goods in the circulation of commodities. Moreover, with industrial capitalism, the market mechanism has also come to allocate factors of production such as land, labor and money, which according to Polyani were not real commodities, but merely have exchange value because they become privately owned by use of legal contracts and sales (Polyani 1944: 68-76). Since then, mass markets have come to synchronize most economic activities like consumption, production, distribution and even finance in the most efficient fashion (Swedberg 2005:238-240). These markets become far reaching and displaced in light of industrial capitalism because of communicative and transport technology, the mobility of money and relations of free trade, which re-defined the notion of markets from a place to an abstract network of actors across national boundaries. Also, the nature of markets has changed from being state-controlled to being self-regulating. The market system becomes the center of economic and social life as it coordinates most economic activities not by state regulation but by economic instruments like the price mechanism, supply and demand aggregates. Social Relations of Production and Organization of Work Industrial capitalism has, with the change in material means of production, brought about a change in the social relations of production and organization of work. In capitalistic societies, instead of directly interacting with nature in production, human beings depend on each other by exchanging their assets in place of producing for subsistence. Hence, they inevitably enter into social relations of production between those who own the means of production (capitalist) and those who do not but are economically compelled to sell their labor power (worker) for wages. In the circulation of capital, surplus value can be derived from the difference between capital invested and capital retrieved because capital (such as land, factory and machinery), only when combined with labor, transforms products to sell for higher exchange values, thereby generating surplus value and profit. This circulation of capital is durable because capitalists aim to invest their capital to make even more profits while workers can only increase their wages by working harder or by investing in their skills. Since then, the relationship between capitalists have become increasingly competitive due to the drive for profits while the worker-capitalist relation has replaced family (sexual division of labor) as the primary relation of production. According to Marx, as the ownership of means of production is exclusive and alienable, the society becomes separated into two distinct classes – the bourgeoisie (capitalist) and the proletarian (or worker), where between them is a relationship of domination and exploitation. Marx observed that the capitalists tend to exploit the workers by privately appropriating the surplus value produced by the workers, giving them much less than the use value of their time and effort invested in production (Marx 1848: 23). You read "Industrial Production and Capitalism Drivers of Social Change" in category "Essay examples" Also, the exploitation goes further by manifesting itself in the working conditions of factories, where workers were forced to work for long hours and children were also engaged as child labor. The exploitation and domination over workers exists because of the profit motive of decreasing costs and increasing revenue, as well as the fact that workers have less argaining power over their jobs than their employers. Capitalism has also re-defined the social organization of work by the formation of labor markets and complex division of labor. Prior to the onset of industrial capitalism, work was just defined as any effortful activity which attributes use value to commodities. However, with industrial capitalism, the formation of labor markets constituting workers, employers, jobs and networks is possible, and they function to allocate labor resources and allow capitalists to negotiate labor price and working conditions. Here, there is a clear demarcation of what is considered paid â€Å"work† and what lies outside of the labor market in the informal economy. Within the labor market, the exchange value of labor depends on the quantity and quality of labor, which denotes different labor processes and skills. The differentiation in wages is due to the complex division of labor brought about by industrial capitalism. Unlike the simple division of labor, where society is categorized into different occupations as in craftmanship, the capitalistic industry has a tendency to control and divide the mass production process into many simple tasks which all unskilled workers are capable of accomplishing. Workers are subdivided into different capabilities and made to specialize in simple tasks to be able to perform quickly and productively. This organization of work greatly improves the efficiency of the system, bringing costs down with more units of production. As seen in the Fordist model of mass production, workers as such are being â€Å"deskilled† and made interchangeable to the extent that they can be fired or hired according to production requirements (Womack 1990: 19-46). Thus, the market value of such menial labor is very low as opposed to professions (doctors) and skilled labor (technicians). The way work is being socially organized into skilled and unskilled labor has thus brought about socio-economic stratification in production relations. Marx has criticized this form of organization as being â€Å"alienating†, especially for the menial workers. As workers are being made interchangeable by the subdivided nature of production process, their labor is being looked upon only as a commodity, at their employer’s disposal. The worker loses control over his produce, the work process and his ability to creatively express himself. Moreover, their menial labor becomes cheapened in the process of unemployment and labor surplus. On the other hand, professionals are able to safeguard their interests by exclusive job administration channels, keeping their wages high due to marketable specialized knowledge. As a result, socio-economic stratification has also become defined by consumption relations such as occupational prestige and status groups. Norms and Culture Lastly, it is clear that industrial capitalism has brought about important changes in norms and culture. Most explicitly, industrial capitalism has changed the culture of work in the society. Prior to this time, work was characterized by disparate tasks that one is required to do in the day, and is oriented to what is necessary to be attended to. There is little divide between work and life. In industrial-capitalistic societies, work is characterized by a series of jobs which need to be synchronized in terms of sequence and speed. Time-discipline is important for work in the capitalist economies because productivity and time are highly correlated (Thompson 1967, 60:61). People are expected to use time allocated for work efficiently and solely for work. As the stimulus for work has changed from subsistence to wage incentives, there is potential of increasing wages by putting in more effort put into work. Thus, as competition for jobs and within jobs increase, people are pushed to work harder and longer in their jobs. Also, in the 18thC, industrial capitalism has led to the trend of rapid urbanization due to rural urban migration and international migration in seek of factory jobs. This has led to a major restructuration of society within countries like England, where the working class poor tend to congregate near the city centre for employment and the more affluent middle class tend to decentralize away from these city centers, where living conditions are bad. The result is a case of socio-economic polarization within cities, where differences in standards of living are stark between gated communities and urban slums. In all, industrial capitalism tend to generate disparate levels of wealth and poverty amongst the working and capitalist classes. Lastly, industrial capitalism is likely to produce changes in habits and lifestyle which are oriented towards the market. The culture of consumerism is prevalent in many industrial and post-industrial societies, brought about by both producers and consumers. Producers aim to increase the capital return from their investment by either catering to existing needs or by creating new needs and wants. With the use of marketing strategies and production technology, they are able to sell their products at a high profit margin. Consumers, on the other hand, are faced with the proliferation of goods and services available at competitive prices. With the wages they have earned, they are able to afford more goods at a lower price. In all, this paper contends that industrial production and capitalism are major drivers of social change in three ways. Firstly, industrial capitalism has changed the role and nature of markets in history, from an auxiliary mechanism to the main instrument of social coordination. Secondly, industrial capitalism has revolutionized the social relations of production, from humanity’s struggle with nature to dependency on each other. It has also changed the social organization of work, by re-defining what is work and by organizing work into skilled and non-skilled categories with varying consequences. Thirdly, industrial capitalism has influenced the norms and culture of society through â€Å"industriousness†, urbanization and consumerism. (1991 Words) How to cite Industrial Production and Capitalism Drivers of Social Change, Essay examples

A Little Girls Dream free essay sample

He told me to wait for him in the back of the courtroom, until he was finished trying his case. But I was only nine years old and got bored easily. I had my favorite American Girl doll with me, but I just couldnt sit there anymore. This was no place for me. So I wandered the shiny floors of the courthouse lobby, lost in a sea of unfamiliar faces, until finally ending up in the back of another courtroom not too far from the first. It looked the same as the first one. Smelled the same too. But what was happening inside was very different. And all at once I was anything but bored. I could not stop staring at him. And wondering why he was crying. His family was crying too. I could tell that he was trying to speak but his words were being suffocated by all of his emotion. We will write a custom essay sample on A Little Girls Dream or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He remained slumped over, in the arms of someone who was dressed just like my father always was pressed white shirt, suit and tie. They held on to each other for quite some time. Then the man who was crying pulled away, wiped his eyes, and finally spoke. Thank you, he said to the man in the fancy blue suit. Thank you for saving my life. Although disobeying my fathers instructions that day led to a temporary loss of television privileges later that night, my insolence remains the best decision I have ever made. As I watched the human drama unfold before my young eyes, only realizing the full extent of what had transpired after my father explained all of the details to me, I discovered what I would do with my future. I want to save peoples lives daddy, I said with great conviction. Just like you and the man in the blue suit. He laughed. Thats a very nice thought honey. But you have lots of time. Things could change. He thought I was just being a kid. Willful and impulsive. He was wrong. The scene in that courtroom that day became a window into my future. I knew instantly that I would be an attorney who helped protect the innocent from injustice. I would devote my life to the service of others. The only issue remained the years Id have to wait before getting that opportunity. Again, I was only nine years old. So I filled my days with other ways to assist those in need. Beginning that year, I spent every Thanksgiving at the local soup kitchen cooking and serving those who cannot afford a Thanksgiving meal. As a former Girl Scout, I continue to participate in clothing drives, where I provide clothing to those who do not have enough to wear. As a student, I have also had the opportunity to help ESL children learn how to read and write properly and Ive spent many days volunteering at the local hospital where I help patients. And, of course, as I await the fulfillment of my ultimate goal, my participation in Law Club continues to remind me that this is the profession for me. I am exactly where I belong. Embarking on this next chapter of my life is exciting, for I am finally bringing my nine year old vision to life. I have grown a lot since then, immersing myself in these countless opportunities to help others, while continuing to learn more about the field about which I am so passionate. And throughout all of it, my goal has remained steadfast. It is who I am. My undergraduate studies and post graduate work are the final steps I will take, each instrumental in shaping me as an attorney while helping me to finally attain my childhood dream the dream of finally being the one standing in a courtroom wearing the fancy suit while saving lives.