This is the first official post of the 2021 Summer Assignment. The rules are simple:
- Look at the list of links provided.
- Pick a few (or all) to read.
- Make an intelligent comment here that shows you read and thought about at least one. Remember, please DO NOT just write a summary of the article. We have already read them, and we are looking for your opinions and perspectives.
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I highly recommend you keep a record of your comments, in case any get lost.
Please remember to complete the form to let us know about any extended vacation plans.
The Links
- Leaky mitochondria in sea otters Sea otters do more interesting stuff than just hold hands while sleeping. By the way, if anyone uses the terms "house" or "power" in class while referring to mitochondria, that is an automatic failure for the marking period.
- Professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation First off, I had no idea "tree climber" was a profession. I imagine there is no better way to teach about the importance of forest conservation than from the top of a tree.
- Not a vaping dinosaur Sort of reminds me of this cartoon, that was all over the place when I was in high school. Sometimes it is easy to forget that paleontology is an active area of research, and new information is being discovered about dinosaurs all the time. Pretty sure this will not be the last dinosaur article I post this summer.
48 comments:
In “This Professional Tree Climber Teaches Inspiration and Conservation,” it’s fascinating to see how Kovar teaches students gentle tree climbing techniques while also teaching them about conservation. Kovar enables students to see these trees as friends. It is important for students to learn about trees because they are such an important part of life, as they produce oxygen and are also homes for different types of animals. The students also establish a connection with this tree and don’t want to see the tree cut down. If more people begin to form connections with trees, less trees will be cut down and we will protect the Earth rather than damaging it. In the future, I hope that more people begin doing environmentalism work that is fun and engaging, as it will teach more people about environmental science and will motivate people to practice preservation efforts. Students are also able to have fun while learning, which can inspire students to learn as much as they can. Rather than sitting at a desk and listening to a lecture, students are learning about trees while climbing old-growth redwood, demonstrating how learning can be engaging. Students are not just learning about trees, but they are also learning how to connect with trees and not just see “Trees as collections of these vascular cells that you’re there to study.” Trees are not just something that we find in nature; rather, they inspire people to promote conservation efforts.
July 12, 2021:
Sea Otters Article: After reading this article and based off what the author wrote about the small marine animals, it truly sparked an interest to understand that the evolution of these animals is much different than we thought. Being that my prior knowledge of marine animals maintaining their internal body temperature was through the use of blubber or fat, such as what the whale uses to keep warm, it genuinely surprised me that there are new ways being found amongst these mammals. Reading through the research done to figure out how these small mammals keep warm, not just through their extreme metabolism, is what truly fascinated me. The leaks in the mitochondria are something I didn’t know could happen nor did I understand what it truly was, however, the research that was done made it easier to understand that this very mechanism is what keeps the otter’s alive and warm in their small bodies, just through the fact that they had such fast metabolism’s. It was understandable why I had not known much of this mechanism because I had only heard about it working/occurring in some other mammals but finally learning that the sea otters are the best at this job. It still continues to confuse yet interest me on how this fully works as the article also stated that baby otters are able to have adult rate heat generation while not being fully developed, in terms of their muscle mass, but it is still enough to piece together the pieces on how this internal operation is of such great importance to the otters to make sure they are able to keep warm and healthy.
Tree Climber Article: While reading this article, at first, I didn’t understand the sole purpose of Kovar climbing up old trees and becoming a professional tree-climber. However, as I read further through the article, I understood the whole reasoning as to why he teaches this to younger generations along with older people who are willing to learn as well. With the constant need for trees or lumber in order to mass-produce products and maintain the overall economy, it does take a toll on the environment and the overall conservation of the trees. Kovar learned from his teacher that the entire purpose of this is to have an ever-lasting impact and establish a ‘relationship’ between the tree and its climber. With this relationship, it makes it harder for a climber to see a tree be cut down for other uses, and ultimately, Kovar is creating multiple conservationists and environmentalists through his teaching methods. It truly fascinates me how Kovar was able to learn this and later put his knowledge forward to his new students along with teaching them the basics of tree health. It also surprises me that the way the students have learned has also been shown in ways that none of them have ever fallen from climbing large trees. Further past the fact that Kovar has created an entire profession of teaching and practicing tree-climbing, he has also managed to rope in the basics of tree health and environmentalism which ultimately benefits the environment as time moves on and industries do anything to thrive in the current economy.
It was fascinating to read about the tree instructor and his students. The instructor took a unique method to teaching his students not just how to climb trees, but also how to respect the environment while doing so. Climbing trees can damage natural structure and lead them to perish. Trees are essential to human survival as well as that of other animals and living things. It is critical to protect the environment in which we live because it is the reason for our existence. I believe that the way Kovar speaks about trees has a significant impact on climbers, teaching them to not only admire but also to learn about the beauty of the natural world around them. Because of his efforts to persuade people to respect nature, Kovar is likely to have preserved millions of wildlife species. He learnt to save individuals by teaching others about intuition and following their impulses, and those people went on to save others. His powerful teachings might even be applied more widely over the world to support the protection of all species and wildlife. Wildlife isn't being protected as well as it once was, and this is having an impact on many things, including the ozone layer and the greenhouse effect. More species are being pushed to adapt to the changes that come with environmental threats as the Earth continues to change.
The first article I read was about a professional tree climber, Tim Kovar, and his ability to climb massive trees and teaching others about his experience and wisdom. There's no doubt that Kovar already contributed so much by starting his own climbing school and working with colleagues , like Aaron Ramirez, to explore and learn about redwoods. But in my opinion, the most impressive thing Kovar accomplished was his ability to teach others, especially guiding a 10-year old blind girl. Sometimes we take advantage of our sight and don't realize how much we use it in everyday life so for Kovar to guide a sightless girl means something remarkable. Enhancing our other senses and preparing us to rely on those itself shows how much we can accomplish with a limited manner. Many activities perform such methods like playing the piano blindfolded which enhances your sense of touch which is in similarity to climbing trees as well. Not only do you need to feel the branches and where you are taking your step but hearing the creak of a branch can indicate if its loose or dead. It was good that Kovar made such an activity possible with limited senses and it also shows how amazing his ability is to guide and teach early-learners along with, astonishingly, the elderly as well. Kovar's intuitive intelligence and knowledge to teach his students to climb and learn is overall astounding and is a major contribution to an unfamiliar profession, tree climbing.
I also read "Sea otters say warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles". This is obviously a remarkable way to generate heat and stay warm in cold waters. Surprisingly enough, this process also occurs in very small mice but not as well as otters itself. Some of the bigger mammals like seals and whales have thick and an enormous amount of blubber to preserve their heat. It seems that the size of the mammal matters and leaky mitochondria and muscle mass aren't a common method to gain heat in bigger animals while they work well in smaller ones. Because of this though smaller animals including the otter have to consume much more to gain back the lost metabolism. Obviously there is much more science involved behind this but the leaky mitochondria could have not always been present. It could have been an adaptation created years ago when their dense fur and blubber was not sufficient to fully protect them from losing heat. It is still not clear if this trait is inherit or is developed when the sea otter is exposed to the freezing waters. Either way, this extraordinary process to generate heat as been beneficial and life-saving to the population of sea otters.
This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation: When I lived in Connecticut, one tree in my neighborhood stood out from the rest. It was tall, in the middle of the community, and it had perfect branches leading up to the top: they formed a ladder. Like Kovar, I would climb this tree almost every day. However, one day, the President of the community decided to cut down the bottom branches to stop us from climbing them. So, we stood on each other's shoulders to reach the next-lowest branch. I have another favorite tree in Thompson Park. I try to visit it every week and sit under it, maybe reading a book or just observing the quietness. Of course, we all know the impact that humans have on the Earth, but sometimes, we overlook the impact nature can have on us. Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Sequoia National Park as well as the Redwood National and State Parks. I didn't fully understand how tall these trees are until I was right under them. Unfortunately, I couldn't climb them, but I would love to someday join Kovar's tree canopy research course. Also, I find it exciting that Kovar and Ramirez understand the importance of looking at trees in their entirety and not just as research specimens. Many times, we fail to see connections between science and the humanities. Everything around us is a work of art. Thus, when we separate the two, it is more difficult to develop the compassion required in pursuing a sustainable, environmentally-friendly lifestyle. I admire Kovar's dedication to strengthening the bridge between these two fields.
Sea Otters Article:
Sea otters lack the fat and the large body size that protect other marine animals from the cold water. However, the sea otters’ high metabolism generates heat, which helps them stay warm from the cold temperatures in the water. The extremely high metabolism they get is from the leaks in the mitochondria, which truly fascinated me. I believe that these leaks in the mitochondria are extremely beneficial for sea otters. Without it, it could be difficult for the sea otters to survive the cold temperatures. I was surprised to see the different way sea marine animals are kept warm. Before reading this article, I thought blubber was the only way animals were kept warm. I wasn't aware of leaks in the mitochondria and didn't think it could actually be possible. However, the research and study made it much easier for me to understand how it could happen and the evolution that was explained in the article .This study sparked an interest in me to learn more about how sea marine animals evolved. It still continues to confuse, but also fascinated me on how this fully works, but it is still enough to figure out some parts on how this is of such great importance to the otters to make sure they are able to keep warm and healthy. In addition, finding the cellular source of sea otters’ metabolism could help scientists better understand how other marine mammals deal with freezing water. It could also lead to new discoveries of how the ancestors of these animals evolved to live in the sea. I strongly believe this will be essential for future science.
In the "Professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation," article, I learned a lot about what it means to climb a tree. It is not just about clambering up a tree and jumping back down, there is a lot more that goes into it. As a person who cares about the environment, this article was very inspiring to me. I fully agree with Kovar when he talked about how getting people to climb trees can make them come down with a whole new outlook. Seeing how large and beautiful the world is can make a person realize just how important taking care of nature is. By spreading his love and knowledge of tree climbing and conservation to others, he will continue to make more conservationists. The fact that Kovar is doing this for nature is really important, and can institute so much positive change in the world.
I read the article, "This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation", written by Elana Spivak. I believe that the work Tim Kovar doing is amazing, being able to do the thing he loves most while also teaching others about the decline the Earth has been experiencing due to deforestation and what they can do to help. His passion for tree climbing came from his youth and carried throughout his life, leading him to a job that he loves and colleagues that have helped him every step of the way, like Peter Jenkins. His passion for climbing led him to found his own tree climbing school in 2005, where he began to teach what he learned from Jenkins's Tree Climbers International school. However, he also taught his students to become avid conservationists, as he had learned the importance and need for trees and other life in the world, and wanted to spread the knowledge he obtained wherever he could. I find it incredible that Kovar could take his passion and use it to help others and the world through it, being able to spread conservation methods with his school as well. Aaron Ramirez, a professor of biology at Reed College has his students take Kovar's summer course after they met in 2018, as he understood Kovar's knowledge and wanted his students. to have that as well. Kovar had been a part of conservation efforts in the Western Ghats of India and for the Maui Parrotbill, a greatly endangered species of bird. I liked how he called trees our friends, more than just bundles of cells to study, as it is true. We require trees for living, but in recent years have been harvesting them for lumber and other resources, hurting trees and other organisms, as well as the environment. We have forgotten that these are living beings too, and may lose the opportunity to fix our mistakes if we do not act quick enough.
The first article that I read today was “This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation” by Elana Spivak. This article intrigued me because I didn’t know that tree climbing was a recreational activity, nor a profession. I have heard of mountain climbing, but I never realized that people can also climb trees. Tim Kovar is a professional tree climber, and he stresses the importance of respecting nature while climbing trees. As he teaches students from all around the world, he emphasizes how important it is to preserve the tree, and take care of it. Every day, trees are getting cut down to make space and gather resources for the growing world around us. I think that Kovar’s teachings will create a new community of people that learn how important it is to preserve trees, and can advocate for it in the future. I believe that Kovar loves his job since he can directly help others do the unthinkable, climbing large and towering trees. Helping with the joy of two 75-year-old women, or a 10-year-old who has lost her sight is definitely motivating and inspiring. The most interesting part of this article is how Kovar’s intuition has saved him and others while climbing trees. The article mentions how one time when Kovar was climbing a tree in Taiwan, he had a strong sense of discomfort on a particular tree, and he decided to give the leadership of the climb to someone else. Turns out, there were scorpions hidden underneath a branch on the tree, and Kovar realized that he wouldn’t have seen the scorpions if they had stuck to the original plan. His intuition, and being connected with nature, played a big part in realizing when certain climbs are not for him. Overall, this article was a great read since it taught me how tree climbing isn’t just something people do for fun, but a way to show respect to nature while getting inspired.
The second article I read was “Sea otters stay warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles”. The main focus of this article was about how sea otters use an interesting way to warm. Instead of using blubber, like how most marine animals do, they actually generate heat by having leaky mitochondria. When protons leak back out of the mitochondria, the energy is lost and is turned into heat. This new discovery can be very beneficial for the future, since it opens up new possibilities for organisms to generate heat. Right now, this technique is only found in small animals, such as otters and mice. I wonder if leaky mitochondria will eventually cause harm. If the mitochondria in otters evolves to be insufficient, will this cause other health issues in the otter? Energy loss can be a big issue if the mitochondria is defective. I think that the leaky mitochondria in otters is an amazing way to generate heat, and without them the otters might not be able to survive the cold waters.
The article, "Sea otters stay warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles" was very interesting as it provided much insight into how Sea Otters keep warm without having thick blubber. Even though Sea Otters are one of the smallest mammals in the ocean they are able to keep themselves warm through only their high metabolism. It is fascinating how mammals as small as otters can achieve such a high metabolism through the leaky mitochondria in their muscle cells. I think it is very neat how the leaks in their mitochondria allow for more heat to be released, warming the mammal. The side effect of having an increased loss of energy due to the leaks seems inconsequential since it only increases the appetite of the otter. I think it is very intriguing how Sea Otters can turn the system on and off. The question of how the adaptation came about in the first place felt very interesting and important. I found this article very interesting as it presented new ways as to how heat can be generated as well as provided meaningful data and questions for the future.
The “Sea Otters stay warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles” was not only fascinating, but a watershed of the evolution of sea creatures. The article was simply a great demonstration of how a simple problem was solved through biology. That simple problem being how the sea otters sustain living in cold environments for many decades, and not gaining any bodily harm in return. Unlike human beings, the sea otters were able to survive by utilizing the energy that enters the mitochondria to heat their bodily system. In my perspective, I believe that to be an intriguing discovery due to the fact that the body works in order to keep us alive one way or another. To find the reasoning and scientific evidence behind how sea otters are able to live in the extreme cold, means that there is more to learn about our body and its functioning. Before reading the article, I blatantly assumed that the blubber from the sea otters simply kept them warm in their environment. What I also deem fascinating is that in order to heat themselves and receive the energy that enters the mitochondria, a large intake of food is a necessity. However, I do wonder if they are able to control whether the energy that turns into heat leaks from the mitochondria, or if it’s naturally done. Hence, I look forward to hearing about more discoveries about sea creatures' ways to adapt and change in their environment.
The article, "Professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation", written by Elana Spivack, was one that stood out to me, as I was someone who found tree climbing quite exhilarating as a child. However, I was someone who only climbed shorter trees, the kind one could view in the front yard of the average townhouse. To read about Tim Kovar leading expedition groups of diverse people up trees that were larger than my own home was fascinating, especially because I could never imagine myself doing such a thing due to my fear of heights. Tim's mention of his program being a way for people to recognize the beauty of nature and that it is their duty to protect it also intrigued me. It is an intelligent way to get people to care more about the environment. Spivack mentions Kovar claiming that the tree climbing experience makes people reminisce on their youth. This is a very poetic statement, especially when considering the pair of 75 year old women and the village elder who were willing to participate in the activity. Though they were old, they were able to experience nature's beauty and feel as if they were a young child again. Despite my fear of heights, the words of these seniors make tree climbing sound like something that all people should attempt at least once in their lives.
No, this dinosaur isn't vaping. It just breathed like a weirdo: Dinosaurs, once being great beasts that roamed our planet, are also the source of many of today's modern animals. We can trace various reptiles, birds and amphibians back to these prehistoric creatures all through the course of evolution, and I find it amazing how paleontologists are continuing to learn more and discover more about dinosaurs. Even more fascinating to see is to see how much technology has progressed to the point of which scientists can map out the skeletons of dinosaurs down to the tiniest bone. Tiniest bone also ends up making the biggest difference in learning how a dinosaur functions, such as how in this case where it was discovered that the Heterodontosaurus tucki, which belonged to the ornithischians, or bird-hipped dinosaur, actually ended up breathing in a fashion more similar to modern day alligators, rather than birds, like its familial counterparts. Fossils provide such an important part to learning about evolution and continue to advance our understanding, and while these dinosaurs have been dead for millions and millions of years there is still so much to learn about them. I think paleontology is a field that is often overlooked, one of my favorite examples proving this is the ridicule of Ross Geller in “Friends”, who friends always call him a bore for discussing paleontological findings, but in reality paleontology is a field that has so much to offer in the modern words by giving us insight in the creatures of the past.
The first article that I read today was, "Leaky Mitochondria in Sea Otters." The initial line of this article amused me, as I presumed that the blubber of sea otters was a thick source of insulation. This line hooked me in and made me more curious about these creatures. As I started to dive deeper through this article I started to think more about thermal energy. Since sea otters are small mammals it should be a strenuous effort to preserve their heat. Particularly, through the extremely frigid temperatures that the sea otters live in, most mammals of their size shouldn't be able to carry out metabolic processes at the significant rate that allows them to stay alive. At first, I assumed that any leaks in this organelle would stop these animals from being able to maintain homeostasis. As I dove into the article it amazed me how the leaks in their mitochondria are so vital to their health. The mitochondrial pump of the cell showed me how significant active transport is. As the protons leaked over the membrane it broke the bonds of the ATP and released heat as the reaction. For such observingly simple creatures, this method of thermal heat production bewildered me. I began to connect the dots and it made more sense as to why their diets are so complex and large. Since they lose so much of the energy as the heat they have to replenish that through consumption.
The second article that I read was, "This Professional Tree Climber Teaches Inspiration and Conservation." At first glance, I looked at the title and my jaw dropped. I didn't know that tree climbing could become an eventual career. The place where Kovar was sitting in the initial picture amazed me at such a great height. It shocked me how he got the pair of 75-year-old women to also go up. He made sure even they could do it despite any circumstances through his persistence and passion for climbing. Due to this one what seems like a childish hobby, he made it the sun of his life, and his motivation continued to push him. I love how he was so devoted to this and made sure anyone who sought interest in it could do it. In addition, the way he connected everyone to the nature and trees around them was especially amazing. By looking at the tree as a puzzle piece to nature rather than a lab experiment, he let others find their passion in this sport. The final point that led me to be bewildered was how he urged the people he taught to engage in this hobby using each and every one of their senses. He taught them to be dependent on the slightest touch, and sound. After reading this article I see Kovar as an inspiration who took charge through his passion and let that motivate him.
The final article that I read was, "No, This Dinosaur Isn't vaping. It Just Breathed Like a Weirdo." This dinosaur caught my eye, as it was unique through the way it breathed. The particular placement of the bones made its skeletal aspects to be unique. I started to read more about this particular dinosaur and saw that the rib and hip muscles played a major part in the dinosaur's breathing. Most of them in the prehistoric time period were abundant and extremely large. This led me to think that this was impossible, considering the hip and lungs of the dinosaur would have to be distant from each other. When I started to read more I saw that these dinosaurs and the modern-day crocodiles have tiny rib bones in common with each other. This is a crucial difference in comparison to how prehistoric mammals such as the theropods breathe. These mammals use a crucial aspect of the body known as the diaphragm which when it contracts lets the air in and out. This was very interesting to learn about because I assumed that almost all the dinosaurs were the same internally. The H. Tucki was clear that they used the small rib bones, pelvis, and body paddles together to push air in and out. This intricate way of their lungs working would lead them to appear to have different ways of breathing in comparison to other dinosaurs.
Tree Climbing Article:
It is amazing to me that professional tree climber, Tim Kovar, began his childhood like so many other children. He needed assistance getting down from a tree he climbed at a young age. Unlike most children, however, he turned this into a career. I was unaware that a professional tree climber even existed, though if he is proficient at it, it makes sense that it could be a career. Tree climbing is often associated with nostalgia and childhood, so it must be a very unique experience for Kovar to be able to bring that hobby back to people. Kovar says that he teaches inspirational tree climbing, which shows people to respect nature and be kinder to it. Not only is Kovar bringing childlike joy back to people, but he is also making these people see the importance of conserving our environment. It is clear that Kovar deeply cares about the environment, especially by making sure that tree climbing is not having any negative effects on the trees themselves. Overall, Tim Kovar presents to be a very unique person who has a lot to offer for the world.
Dinosaur Article:
It will never cease to amaze me how scientists are able to piece together the remains of once living things to conclude how they looked and functioned while they were living. Even just small bones, like gastralia as mentioned in the article, can alter what we know about dinosaurs. The dinosaur breathes more like modern reptiles than birds. Scientists didn’t figure this out through video, nor through written records. It is so cool that scientists can understand a complex process, such as breathing, in an organism that no human has ever seen alive before. This article presents a very good example to the notion that science is ever changing. These changes will lead to more and more accurate explanations and understandings of the always fascinating dinosaurs.
Article 1-Sea otters: This first article really challenged my previous understanding of how sea otters keep themselves warm. To my knowledge, the sole way sea otters and other small mammals alike would be able to keep themselves warm is through their blubber and fur. But this article changed my perspective and truly interested me. This method of regulating body temperature wasn't something I knew about and I did not believe it would be possible for mitochondria leaks. And to see this very process happen in a mammal and actually keep them warm is astounding. In addition, many questions are left unanswered such as if there is an "off switch" to this process, which is something that researchers will continue to search for and add to this discovery.
Article 2- Tree Climbers: At first glance, this article was truly something new and something I have never seen done. Usually, the first thought that comes to mind when someone speaks of their career would-be doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc. But professional climber tree climber is genuinely the first. And Tim Kovar's experiences with this career is are more fascinating. One that struck me was his experience with the pair of 75-year old women. The thought of allowing someone to rekindle their youth with a simple endeavor as climbing a tree is one of the many joys of his career. Also, his "mantra" of respecting the tree as you climb and thinking of the tree as a church rather than a playground goes to show how powerful and old nature is and how important it can be to people, not economically, but spiritually.
I read the article, "No, this dinosaur isn't vaping. It just breathed like a weirdo.", written by Mindy Weisberger. This article was truly interesting, hooking, and did not contain a single dull sentence. This article sparked my interest the moment it discussed the relationship between technology and paleontology - an area I personally find very interesting. The article does an excellent job of discussing how technologically advanced the field of paleontology has become over the years - and how these advancements via 3d technology not only allow for the paleontologists to easily reconstruct dinosaur skeletons, but also allows for them to better observe and hypothesize the functions of an organism via the visualization of skeletons and their relation to the rest of the organism's bodily components - which can easily be studied and depicted by a 3D model. For example, the article demonstrated how through 3d technology, paleontologists were able to conclude that the rib and hip bones of Heterodontosaurus tucki formed a unique relationship with the dinosaur’s muscles - in turn allowing the animal to breathe in a unique way via the expansion of its chest and belly. This bridge between science and modern-day technology never ceases to amaze me, and is the main reason why I'm so interested in studying and reading about modern-day science and breakthroughs.
Another idea discussed in the article that I found quite interesting, was when the author discussed that H. tucki could potentially be used to provide clues about the evolution of features common among other ornithischians but differ from other dinosaurs. This idea stood out to me because it goes to show how the field of science often builds off other people’s work/discoveries - in this case, any work done regarding H. tucki can also be used to further research regarding other ornithischians - showing how the area of science is filled with collaboration and joint work.
Furthermore, the topic of mammal respiration vs dinosaur respiration was also of interest to me. I found it amazing that dinosaurs long ago breathed in a way different from us and most modern-day animals. However, I found it more amazing that the way dinosaurs breathed long ago, actually demonstrates a correlation to the way modern-day birds breathe! This taught me that even things that look like polar opposites, such as dinosaurs and birds, can still have some similarities and correlation - in this case, it was the fact extinct dinosaurs exemplified evidence of similar air sacs and respiratory features found in modern-day birds.
Finally, to conclude my comment, I would just like to discuss the last statement made in the article. The author states that a well-preserved H. tucki specimen "was the missing piece of the puzzle" for confirming that hypothesis, that ornithischians might have breathed differently from other dinosaurs. This statement, in particular, grabbed my attention, as, without this well-preserved H. tucki specimen, this hypothesis might never have been proven. This just leads me to wonder, how many other revolutionary hypotheses are still waiting to be proven due to their absence of 1 specific piece of evidence?
All in all, this was an excellent article and I would recommend anyone interested in technology and/or paleontology to give it a read!
“This Professional Tree Climber Teaches Inspiration and Conservation” reminded me how important it is to acknowledge that humans are just living on the Earth, and we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. I think this message lives very close to Tim Kovar’s heart because he has dedicated his life to fostering connections between people and nature that will hopefully lead to greater protection and appreciation towards the environment. I have experienced the concept of having a relationship with a tree and not wanting to see that tree cut down in my own life with the trees that I used to climb as a child. I carry the connection I made with those few trees as a child with me today as I view trees and the environment as a whole. It is so easy to go through life without ever forming a relationship with nature and therefore not care about all the atrocities harming the environment because it seemingly doesn’t affect you. This severe apathy towards the environment can cause dangerous and irreversible consequences that will continue to occur unless we start paying attention and making a conscious effort to change our habits. I admire the thoughtfulness and impact Tim Kovar has had on so many people; the environment surely thanks him and desperately needs other allies like him.
Based on the article, "This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation," a lot has been presented as to how the life of a tree climber actually is and the science behind it. Professional tree climber Tim Kovar describes his life and his passion for tree climbing at the very early age of 4. Throughout his life, he goes through different stages which all determines his outcome. The most fascinating aspect about his journey is when he was able to make a pair of 75 year old women climb up a tree. This part about the article really fascinated me and encouraged me too. His life soon became the life where he would use his ways to teach other young minds. He opened up a tree climbing school and would teach over 10,000 students how to climb. This is really important as it would teach the kids a particular skill and preserve their knowledge about various environmental factors. Moving on to the safety of the students, Kovar uses this particular technique which allows the students to freely climb higher and higher without the back-sight of falling to the ground. This ensures the safety of all who tries to climb a tree. Another fact that captivated me was his trips to many other countries and his journeys there to better understand what his potential is. Honestly, I've always wanted to climb a tree and always though that it was impossible, but now I have different feelings about it. Kovar's work has encouraged many young minds to overcome their fears of literally anything. Lastly, this man set a great example for our future generations and left lots of valuable lessons.
“This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation” by Elana Spivack
As a five-year-old, I remember my mom telling me to climb up on a tree in a park, so that she could take a picture. I remember being terrified, thinking about how big the tree was, and how easily I could fall and hurt myself. On the other hand, my cousin was extremely excited and climbed as high as he could. At that time, I never thought much about how climbing trees was beneficial, considering it to just be a fun pastime activity for people who like nature. However, after reading Tim Kovar’s experiences as a professional tree climber, I was thoroughly impressed by his bravery, as well as the deeper intent behind his career. By helping people of all ages learn how to climb, Kovar started cultivating relationships between his students and nature, showing them the beauty of the natural world. Not only was Kovar helping his students climb, but he was also turning them into people who genuinely care for the environment around them. In today’s day, when trees and rainforests are cleared daily, it has become extremely crucial to preserve nature in any way possible. By helping almost 10,000 people learn to climb, Kovar has spread his love for nature around to many others, inspiring them to turn to a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. As someone who recognizes the vast amount of issues hurting the environment today, I greatly admire Kovar’s work to help both his students, and the environment.
The first article I read was about the sea otters' leaky mitochondria. The ocean temperature can sometimes get very cold, and these small sea otters have an innovative way of keeping warm. I think that it is amazing how sea otters have developed a way to keep warm despite their small size. I believe that this mechanism could be a big advantage rather than having big body masses or blubber because it makes the animal lean and swift. However, this mechanism might not be as efficient in bigger animals because proton leaks require a fast metabolism. Because of this, bigger animals will have to eat more food that might not be available to them in their environment. The sea otter however has the perfect advantage because of its small size. I also think that the ability to control this mechanism is fascinating because if the sea otters are not in frigid temperatures, it is better to turn it off rather than waste energy. With more research, I hope scientists find how otters can control the proton leak so that we can understand how their ancestors developed this mechanism. If scientists find out that this mechanism is inheritable we can understand the differences between otters with and without the leaky mitochondria.
The second article I read was about Tim Kovar's tree climbing. I find it interesting that Tim Kovar is using tree climbing as a way to respect and conserve trees. It is an unusual way to teach people how to acknowledge the importance of trees. He also makes sure that the trees don’t get hurt by using gentle techniques which inspires me because I thought tree climbing was very rough and aggressive. I think that tree climbing is a great way to have fun and experience nature which in turn builds relationships with trees so that the next generations will avoid trying to cut them down because of these relationships they have built with nature. When Kovar taught an elderly woman to climb, I realized that with proper techniques and practice anyone can learn to take part in this wonderful experience. Furthermore, the most interesting part about Tim Kovar’s teachings is how he is teaching people to climb blindfolded. To me, this feels absolutely terrifying but it might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Not only does tree climbing give you a nice experience, but it also teaches you how to assess the tree’s health. I also love how Kovar teaches his students to respect trees as part of nature and not as specimens.
For the final article about H. Tucki, I found it unusual that it breaths by expanding its chest and belly rather than using a diaphragm. For us humans even though our chest expands when we breathe, we don’t depend on flexing our chest muscles to fill our lungs. When Viktor Radermacher mentioned that ornithischians had gastralia for a short period of time, I wonder what caused them to lose these structures. Furthermore, other animals such as lizards use their whole bodies to breathe which seems really strange to me. I also never knew that modern birds breathed similarly to most dinosaurs by looping oxygen through their lungs and bodies. To conclude, since there is evidence proving that H. Tucki breaths in a way that is different from most animals, I wonder if there are other mechanisms that animals use to breathe rather than using a diaphragm or chest muscles. If there are, it would be very interesting to learn more about different respiration mechanisms.
The article “Sea otters stay warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles” written by Jaime Chambers was really spectacular to read through. The article presents insight into how otters are able to keep warm if they, unlike many other marine mammals, do not have blubber. These sea otters have developed a biological mechanism which allows them to stay warm in cold waters. Essentially, the mitochondria of the sea otters leak by themselves which generates a higher resting metabolism. This is almost three times greater than the normal marine mammal of a similar size. I find this really interesting because nature and evolution, through adaptation have found a biological method solely reliant on the increase of metabolism to stay warm. For example, an animal like a seal or walrus who has a large amount of blubber to keep itself warm has many downsides that these sea otters do not due to this trait. A question that I was asking myself while I was reading the article was, what are the advantages of heating your body like the otters do. Without the blubber present in majority in marine mammals, the otters do not have to bear the negative consequences of it but also it does not provide them with the advantages. Blubber provides marine animals with buoyancy and thermoregulation. Both of these allow these mammals to preserve their energy. On the contrary otters burn through their energy reserves needing to consume many more calories for their body weight than normal just to stay warm. However, they are able to stay much more agile without it. Both methods of thermoregulation have their benefits and negatives but I really wonder which one is better from a biological standpoint in efficacy and practicality.
I chose to read the article “No this Dinosaur isn’t vaping. It just breathed like a weirdo”, by Mindy Weisberger, because it presented information about a new discovery of dinosaurs. This particular article interested me because I desire to learn more about the past and what formed life on earth. In this article, a certain type of dinosaur breathed in an astonishing way that was different from its group. This really intrigued me to read the article. Scientists discovered unusual rib and sternum bones in a fossil skeleton of Heterodontosaurus tucki that was discovered in 2009, and an x-ray of it enabled scientists to digitally reconstruct its skeleton in 3D. The models were extremely important in the discovery of dinosaurs since it proved unknown skeletal features and showed rib and hip bones connected by muscles. I learned that this connection was what had helped the dinosaur breathe in a way that was novel for dinosaurs, because they breathed through the expansion of the stomach and chest. This surprised me because usually, they pump air into hollow sacs in their skeletons, but these types of dinosaurs breathed similarly to birds. Therefore, this relates birds to dinosaurs. Furthermore, it builds more interest in people to learn more about them because of how closely related they are. To continue, it shows how much more is needed to be discovered about dinosaurs. I find it amazing how much we don’t know and how much we still need to. After reading this article, I discovered my newfound interest in the evolution of dinosaurs and how life on earth came about.
Article I chose: "This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation."
Kovar's story was very interesting because he was able to take his passion for climbing trees to help spread a message to conserve our environment, especially our delicate and precious trees. While reading the article, I reflected back to when I had taken the course Ap environmental science; before taking it I did not know that much of the importance of trees and our environment as a whole, but after the course I was more knowledgeable about our environment and how important it is to sustain it. Humans sometimes fail to realize that we have limited supplies on this Earth, leading us to perform harmful activities such as excessive deforestation, which ultimately harms our environment and decreases our resources for future generations. But even with all the harm, luckily, people like Kovar are trying to spread a message to conserve our environment. I liked how Kovar used his passion for climbing trees to bring his students back to their inner child and showed them how beautiful and large their environment is from the top of a tree, ultimately leading his students to share their experiences with others and make a larger community of conservationists. After reading Kovar's story, it truly inspired me to acknowledge the beautiful environment, appreciate it, and conserve it. Therefore, I am happy there are people like Kovar still trying to save our environment and improve it for future generations.
I read the article, “Sea otters stay warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles”. This discovery is a breakthrough in marine biology. Other animals who also have dense skin probably use different mechanisms to cope with their environment, to maintain homeostasis. The ability to regulate their internal temperature through their leaky mitochondria is absolutely vital to the sea otters’ survival. Therefore, any deficiency of food is detrimental, making them very sensitive to other environmental changes or disruptions that will inevitably affect their food supply. I also read the article, “This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation”. Tim Kovar imparts his wisdom about tree climbing, and his affinity for nature. Especially younger kids who are learning how to climb these trees, will appreciate nature more. So, tree climbing will influence environmentalism and conservation in the new generation.
Anish Korrapati - The article that I read is called, “No, this dinosaur isn't vaping. It just breathed like a weirdo”. The article mainly discusses the discovery of a well-preserved skeleton of Heterodontosaurus tucki. H. tucki was a small dinosaur that was a part of the Ornithischians, which were bird-hipped dinosaurs. After analyzing the skeleton, paleontologists were able to deduce that H. tucki inhaled by inflating its belly and chest, and then relaxed those muscles to push air out. This breathing system is different to both mammals and birds, and it is unique to Ornithischians. From this article, I realized how valuable near-complete dinosaur skeletons are. If the skeleton of the H. tucki was not well preserved, then the paleontologists would have probably not made this discovery. This is because the skeleton was the first one to have gastralia, which are a group of small abdominal rib bones. Gastraila plays a major role in respiration, so without them, the paleontologists would not have been able to completely piece together H. tuckiI’s respiratory system. I also learned how relevant paleontology is to studying modern biology, since fossilized organisms share many anatomical and behavioral similarities with current species. The gastraila in Ornithischians is also found in modern reptiles, such as crocodiles.
No, this dinosaur isn't vaping. It just breathed like a weirdo: I find it interesting how misleading science could be, the period before the H. tucki, scientists believed that Gastralia were thought to be absent from all ornithischians. This is very interesting as it was a 3D model that illustrated the body of H. tucki, and allowed scientists to study the method of breathing possessed by the dinosaur. This just goes to show that we as humans still do not know many unusual things about our universe, and how science can be something different all-together as we know it. Another ting about the article that interested me was the unusual method used in reconstructing the skeletal features. Science is still evolving day by day, and with new advancements like this, it will be in no time until more advanced features come into play.
Sea otters stay warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles: I think it is truly an amazing feat, how maritime animals can keep cool in cold waters. Moving on, evolution is a large topic in this article, the article talks about how other maritime animals can soon be able to accomplish this type of body heating system. It is a biological issue, that is solved by evolution, and evolution is an important part of every living thing. It is safe to say most animals today are not what they once were billions of years ago. With evolution we have evolved into more complex and agile animals, that can think for themselves. All in all, evolution is an important part of all life, and specifically with otters allowing themselves to warm up with their own energy, is an amazing feat to witness.
I found two of the articles that I read interesting - “Sea otters stay warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles”, and “This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation”. The article “Sea otters stay warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles” shows just how complex the evolution of otters are and how many years of evolution otters and their ancestors went through for otters to develop the ability to have leaky mitochondria that allow otters to remain warm despite their environment. Before reading “This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation”, I would have never thought that tree climbing could have much of an impact on a person’s life. However, climbing trees is something that many people have done in their childhood, such as Tim Kovar, and therefore brings people together while reminding them of happy memories. In addition, the idea of teaching people to care about trees and nature through getting to know it personally is a great idea, especially since many people tend to care more about issues such as environmental ones if it affects them on a personal level.
I read the article, “This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation,” written by Elana Spivack. I found this article fascinating, as I was unsure of how a tree climber could spread more information regarding the conservation of trees. The tree climber, Tim Kovar, uses emotional and spiritual methods rather than conventional methods. He has numerous classes ranging from beginner to advanced, that teach people of all ages the techniques to tree climbing. In Kovar’s classes, he believes that after a person climbs a tree, they feel an attachment to it and would not want to cut it down. This spiritual bond between a person and a tree that is formed after these classes encourages the conservation of trees. Connecting people spiritually through tree climbing is vastly different than using information pamphlets or presentations. Although this is effective, I think Kovar would spread more awareness if he teams up with a charity to raise money. Numerous charities would be willing to use unique ideas, such as inspirational tree climbing, to raise money for conservation. I also think if he established more schools in other parts of America, he would be able to make an even bigger impact on the conservation of trees.
The article that I read was "This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation." I enjoyed this article because it showed the journey of Tim Kovar from being a 4 year old boy climbing up trees to being a tree climbing teacher who inspires people to conserve and appreciate the trees. I liked how Kovar was working as a short-order cook in Atlanta and then met Peter Jenkins who had his own Tree climbing school. Kovar then opened his own Tree climbing school in Oregon city. The article shows that he teaches inspirational tree climbing rather than recreational. That was something i enjoyed because his goal was to teach tree climbing while still creating conservationists and helping people understand about nature and how the trees benefit the environment. Something I found very interesting was that Kovar taught more than 10,000 students which is pretty cool because Kovar inspired all these people to respect and conserve the trees. Kovar goes all around the world including Taiwan and the Amazon teaching tree climbing techniques. This shows he wants to spread his message of conservation to the whole world. Overall this article was very inspiring since Tim Kovar seems very inspired that he wants to inspire people all around the world.
The article “Sea Otters stay warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles” opened my eyes to the various ways in which mammals homeostasis. It had never occurred to me that sea otters did not have blubber to keep them warm. I simply thought they had some way of staying warm, most likely being their thick fur. I was highly intrigued when I came across this article to find out that they maintain their internal temperature because of a thermogenic leak from a skeletal muscle. Curious as to what a thermogenic leak is, I was able to find out that it was due to the protons leaking and releasing heat before they passed through the inner membrane of the mitochondria. This process fascinated me as I did not know this was a way to maintain internal temperature. I look forward to the time when scientists figure out if this process occurs naturally or “on demand.”
“Sea otters stay warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles” - This first article I analyzed was about the unique and newly discovered method of otters storing thermal energy. My former knowledge of marine animals keeping warm was mostly consumed with the idea that the animals blubber and body fat helped them keep warm. Reading this new article proved to me how little I know about how many different functions different body systems have in otters compared to other marine wildlife. In the case of otters alone, their body heat is gathered and stored in their muscles through extreme metabolic processes. These metabolic processes are astonishingly derived through leaks in the otters mitochondria. The irony in this process was also captivating because when food is eaten by otters, the protons are pumped and the ones that are lost are converted to heat, meaning otters have to constantly feed themselves to keep up with this rapid metabolic pace. The author made sure to mention how this particular method of keeping warm was special to smaller animals given their sleek, compact size. This sparked my scientific and inquisitive interest. Using muscles, specifically the 40-50% of skeletal muscles, to create heat can only be adequate for otters and their evolutionary ancestors because this rate of metabolism requires constant food and energy. For a larger animal such as a seal, this may come as a hardship, not only for that animal, but the entire ecosystem. Whether otters developed or possessed this trait comes as a point of standstill. In my personal, analytical opinion, I believe it must have been a progressive, evolutionary trait. As otters' ancestors moved to colder climates, they needed a way to quickly and efficiently keep warm. In contrast to other aquatic animals, their bodies must've been better equipped and perfectly sized to produce a faster metabolism than blubber or fat as a heat saving mechanism. A better scientific conclusion to this question may let us know about otters ancestors and where they possessed this undeniably remarkable quality.
“No, this dinosaur isn’t vaping. It just breathed like a weirdo.” - When it comes down to it, evolution and the evidence it possesses is simply unmatched. Many of the same processes observed today in wildlife come from the first living, moving, breathing species millions of years ago. I never look back and think about everything we see today as a product of evolution. Even the simple task of breathing, first demonstrated by prehistoric species, has its variations. In the newly discovered and well preserved Heterodontosaurus tucki, unique rib, sternum, and gastralia bones show that they breathed through the expansion of their rib and chest. This species, who may have influenced the breathing of crocodiles, showed me that variation is what keeps ecosystems successful. If every species breathed like modern day birds by distributing oxygen through a network of air sacs running in a loop, different species would face major problems. Due to constant motion, air sacs may have worked for dinosaurs and modern day birds, but it wasn't applicable for all species and it's important to learn why and how things fluctuate. A contrasting respiratory option was to flex muscles connecting the pelvis and gastralia and between the sternal plates and bony paddles - this was the one used by Heterodontosaurus tucki. This one was the best option for Pterosaurs and the option that best fit with their body type and lifestyle. Through this article I understood the importance of evolution and how much it impacts past, present, and future organisms.
Amanda Vaysbukh
The article I decided to read was "No, this dinosaur isn't vaping It just breathed like a weirdo" by Mindy Weisberger, and I was not disappointed. An area of biology that I personally find extremely interesting is evolution. I was immediately hooked onto the article after reading that despite being one of the earliest species of the ornithischian dinosaur, the Heterodontosaurus tucki differed from their fellow ornithischian dinosaurs in their form of respiration. The H. tuki owned a pair of rib bones known as the gastralia as well as paddle- shaped ribs and elongated breastbone plates to help in respiration. This stood out to me as other ornithischian did not contain the gastralia or the paddle- shaped ribs, or the elongated breastbone. This is clearly due to evolution but my question is why? Why did future species of dinosaurs develop respiration similar to birds? My initial mentality was that, like with most species they lost the use for the gastralia and form of ribs due to a change in the world. This however was disproven by the fact that modern reptiles such as crocodiles breathe in a similar manner and also contain a gastralia. This then made me believe that there was a change to their habitat that ultimately resulted in a necessary change of respiration . There could of also been an accidental genetic mutation that over millions of years spread amongst the species. This however seems less likely to me as I feel we would then see this form of respiration amongst other ornithischian as it would take millions of years for the genetic mutation to spread amongst the entire group of dinosaurs. This also made me wonder if H. tuki lived in a similar habitat to modern day crocodiles. Modern day crocodiles are commonly found in tropical habitats, however South Africa is a relatively dry country. Could the H. tuki come from a different habitat that was more tropical? Could the change to a more dry climate cause the need for a change in respiration? I find evolution so fascinating as it always makes me wonder why there was this change and what caused it. I believe that although it was possible to be an accidental genetic mutation, I think that if that was the case it would have been found in other species of ornithischians, therefore I theorize it is a necessary mutation.
I also found the fact that majority of dinosaurs breathe similar to birds quite funny as I feel other then flying, I would never associate birds and dinosaurs. They seem so opposite in my brain as I immediately associate dinosaurs with reptiles. This however is clearly false as most dinosaurs breathe similarly to birds and the H. tuki is even known as the "bird-hipped dinosaur". There are also "duck-billed dinosaurs" (as mentioned in the article) which prove dinosaurs have a strong connection to modern day birds. This is something I did not previously know and I find extremely interesting.
After reading the article “This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation” by Elana Spivack, I was amazed by the positive impacts 51-year-old professional tree climber Tim Kovar made on the global environment. His story fascinated me and as I was analyzing it, a connection I was able to make was with World Chess Champion, Magnus Carlsen. After watching a recent autobiography on his chess career, he too started his passion for chess at a young age and slowly climbed the ladder until he became recognized. Eventually, he accomplished his goal of earning the title "World Chess Champion", inspiring millions (including me) and expanding the game of chess. Similarly, Tim Kovar has also developed his desire for tree climbing and as he progressively became an expert, he started teaching his love for tree climbing with other people. Not only that, Kovar's enthusiasm for this unique profession has prevented harm to thousands of trees, and as his teachings spread throughout the world, possibly millions of innocent trees may be saved. I also admire the fact how he was able to make the impossible, possible, by allowing seniors, who are fragile and delicate, to experience an everlasting view. Tim Kovar, an inspirational influencer, has made me believe that anything is possible if you have the right mindset and the most unimaginable potential for life.
Written by: Aryan Agarwal
The first article I read was "No, this dinosaur isn't vaping. It just breathed like a weirdo.", written by Mindy Weisberger. I found this article very interesting in how it shows how current advancements in technology help scientists discover new details about species from millions of years ago. Using 3D technology and X-rays, paleontologists were able to discover information about a species from the Jurassic period. With this technology, paleontologists were able to come to the conclusion that H.tucki's breathed in an unusual way: with the expansion of their chest and belly. I found this article fascinating in how clearly it showed how modern-day technology can help us make new discoveries.
The second article I read was "Sea otters stay warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles." I was intrigued multiple times while reading this article. Firstly, before reading this article, I assumed all mammals used their fur, blubber, or fat as their source of heat. But instead, to survive, these sea otters use their high metabolism and the energy that enters their mitochondria to heat themselves up. Similar to Wright, I also find it shocking how high metabolism helps them generate enough heat to keep them warm. Something that also shocked me was that 25% of their body mass in food that they consume daily, is used to maintain their high metabolism and body temperature at 37° Celsius. Finally, the thing that shocked me and confused me the most, at the same time, was that, unlike humans and other mammals, baby otters have the ability to generate heat at an adult rate while not being fully developed. This stood out to me because this is something I have never actually heard of and is typically uncommon. This article brought my attention to how there may be many other species with the ability to stay warm without the use of fur, blubber, or fat and I would love to get an in-depth description of how this actually works.
Nishan Nayak-I read the article “Leaky mitochondria in sea otters” first, and I was surprised to even learn such staggering differences between sea otters and other mammals. I find it interesting how the leaking of protons across the mitochondrial membranes is actually useful instead of being inefficient. Most organisms seek to reduce the amount of heat they emit in order to be as efficient with their food sources as possible. Of course, because of the second law of thermodynamics, they can never do this perfectly and will always be losing some of the energy they take in. I see the otter's metabolism as a creative evolutionary mechanic to take advantage of the seemingly inefficient metabolic processes that life uses. It’s almost like how people might do more physically demanding things on cold days to keep warm. Just like the otters, people might use the byproduct of heat from their exercise to stay comfortable. In addition, it's even more interesting that in normal humans, a proton leak across the membrane would probably be the cause of a debilitating disease, but here it’s the norm. The otter seems like the perfect example of lifes adaptations to seemingly inhospitable environments.
I also read the article “Professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation.” This article showed me a passion that I did not know people had. I would never dare climb a tree in my life so seeing people dedicate their lives to it was astounding. One of the main things that intrigued me about tree climbing was that Kovar used it as a way to teach people to rely on their other senses. It shows that there is a lot more to trees than just their appearance, and someone who is experienced with them will know those differences with just their touch. Another interesting thing about this article was how Aaron Ramirez constantly sends his biology students to take Kovar’s tree climbing class. It shows the importance of having hands-on experience with whatever you are studying. By climbing the trees, I’m sure Ramirez’s students have had newfound respect for trees. Having something “tangible” to attach your mind to when studying something is highly important to maintaining your passion. I want to use this perspective when approaching biology next year, because if I don’t actually understand the applications of my knowledge, it will just become a list of facts that eventually fades. In addition, this article makes me want to climb a tree myself (even though I’m too scared to) just to see the view at the top. It might help me appreciate the environment around me a little more. The final thing that caught my attention in this article was that Kovar said the trees could not be climbed year-round, or they would die. At first, I thought it was cruel to even climb the trees at all, knowing that it could cause harm to them, but then I started to understand Kovar better. He doesn’t climb the trees year-round because he respects them, but he still is able to climb them every now and then for his own enjoyment. Because he gave nature the care it deserved, he is able to reap the benefits. It shows me that if I take care of the environment well, I am effectively creating an environment that will be helpful to me as well. This article is proof that nature is something worth maintaining.
After reading “This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation,” by Elana Spivack, I was amazed by how dedicated Tim Kovar is to tree climbing. While reading this article, it made me think of a time when I climbed the tree, which was relatively small, yet I felt so proud of myself at the moment. It interested me how Tim Kovar was able to find something he loved doing at such a young age and dedicated most of his time to do it. I liked that Tim Kovar used his own experience from when he was a child, just getting into tree climbing, and put it to use by starting his own tree climbing school. I really like the fact that not only did he make most of his time by tree climbing, which is what he loves doing, but he also took the extra step to start a school to spread the idea of learning tree climbing and introducing others to new activities. Another thing that really stood out to me was that he took the time to teach people to love trees and nature through his tree-climbing lessons, and I find it really important that he does that because nature is not appreciated as much these days and it is definitely needed to spread appreciation for nature more.
The article "Sea otters stay warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles" really interested and taught me a lot. I had always thought that mammals kept themselves warm using their blubber or fur. However, according to this article sea otters fur does not help keep them warm. The leaky mitochondria in their muscles generate heat and cause extreme metabolism for sea otters. The process of energy being lost and converting to eat because of the protons leaking really intrigued me. This is because since they are losing more energy to gain heat, the sea otters have to eat more food to gain that energy back. It is very fascinating to see how these mammals were able to adapt to the cold ocean waters and keep warm.
The first article, “Sea Otters Stay Warm Thanks To Leaky Mitochondria in their Muscles”, was alluring and fascinating. My knowledge on the topic of mammals keeping warm in frigid temperatures was that all of these organisms depend on their excess fat to stop their body temperatures from dropping significantly. This article was eye-opening for me, as I realized that I was not knowledgeable on sea mammals and how they survived in such conditions. Reading that these tiny mammals are able to regulate heat throughout their body with their quick metabolisms was rather puzzling yet intriguing. Later throughout the article, I learned how the mitochondria pumped the protons across the inner membrane and how the leakage of these protons generates heat within the sea otter. The ability of sea otters to voluntarily regulate this action is amazing. I think that this article was immensely informative, presenting new data and showing how a leak in mitochondria of sea otters allows for these animals to regulate their body temperature.
The second article that I read was “No, this dinosaur isn't vaping. It just breathed like a weirdo.”. I personally found this article more exciting and appealing than the first one as I think it is crazy that although these organisms have been extinct, we find out more about how they were once able to survive. The Heterodontosaurus Tucki had a strange way of breathing, which researchers gathered through digitally reconstructing the fossils of this dinosaur. This article also showed me the resourcefulness of current technology. Technology today can assist us in multiple fields and the fact that we can learn about prehistoric organisms (like the Heterodontosaurus Tucki) with these advancements is amazing. This species had slender rib bones which was a part of the respiration process. When muscles were flexed, these rib bones and pelvis as well as sternal plates and bony plates would connect, and they took in air through their chest. Both this article and the first showed how different these organisms are from others of their kind. Many people group all sea mammals together and all dinosaurs together, when they truly have such distinct differences than what most can see from the eye.
After reading the article about the vaping dinosaur, I found it interesting that there were dinosaurs with a primitive form of mammalian breathing. I was under the impression that dinosaurs were similar to birds to the point where they breathed similarly. I think that this could be an example of convergent evolution between the dinosaurs and mammals. Both life forms evolved ways of breathing using a diaphragm and compressing and expanding the chest. I wonder that if the dinosaurs survived, whether or not they would breathe like mammals or birds.
In “Sea Otters stay warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles”, I learned about the mechanisms used by sea otters to create self warmth. Personally, I wasn’t educated much regarding sea otters' size and their living conditions. Right off the bat, the author states the main point of the article; sea otters use a different mechanism to staying warm. Leaks in the mitochondria, also referred to as “energy- generating parts of muscle” throughout the article, are shown to help these animals stay cozy in cool environments. After reading this, I feel as though the author proved that cold water does not seem like the best-fitting environment for these little creatures. Despite these obstacles, sea otters discovered this fascinating method that helped them keep the ocean as their home. I believe this observation will lead to many more regarding ocean life.
I decided to read "Sea Otters Stay Warm Thanks To Mitochondria in Their Muscles."I learned about how some of the smallest otters known to man are able to keep warm without blubber or a large body. However "leaks in the energy-generating parts of muscle cells" help to keep an otter warm while at sea (Chambers). Sea otters do not only use this mechanism to keep warm, they also have the densest fur out of most mammals helping them to retain heat in the cold temperatures of water. Once I read this article I was shocked to find out that these sea creatures were able to adapt to their environment given their physical disadvantages that most sea animals have. For example, I know that polar bears are challenged with some of the most brutal conditions due to the arctic weather. However, they have adapted to their environment by growing dense fur and mass amounts of blubber to fight the cold. Reading how a tiny little otter can mutate in order for survival shocks me. (I hate cold water.) Therefore, I believe that there are many more fascinating discoveries to be found within the animal kingdom and how animals can adapt to new ecosystems. especially because global warming has been effecting many wildlife and their habitats as the problem worsens.
Professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation:
My favorite comment by Kovar from the article was that, "... it was the tree that brought everyone together." This statement was an eye-opener for me because I began to see trees in a different light. Not only do trees provide us with the oxygen that we need to live, but they also allow people to become, "... tapped into their inner child," in a way that is like reliving a magical moment. I also admire Kovar's way of teaching tree climbing. Rather than viewing their climb as just a climb, Kovar is teaching people to view their climb as the start of a friendship between them and that tree. I believe that his job is less like a tree climbing instructor and more like a converter. He converts people's mindsets and "... instills respect for nature in his students." There are over 10,000 of his students that now know how to appreciate trees and safely enjoy a climb. Another good characteristic of Kovar is his open-mindedness; he not only teaches, but also learns from his students. The ten-year old blind girl serves as an example of this. Kovar adopted a technique where people climb blindfolded to enhance their other senses. In the end, all of the things that Kovar has done will help conserve the trees, our friends.
I read the article “No this dinosaur isn’t vaping. It just breathed like a weirdo”. I found it fascinating how a discovery of a single dinosaur could lead to a much broader discovery that helped reveal answers as to how some dinosaurs breathed. It was interesting to see how different factors of the preserved skeleton of the heterodontosaurus revealed how the bird like dinosaur was related to other animals from the past and today, as well as how it’s bone structure indicated the extinct animal’s method of breathing. The main discovery was in the creatures ribs, as it had a rib bone known an gastarlos which is found in crocodiles. I had no idea that breathing was different in many species and animals, I just thought it was as simple as oxygen going in and out of the body through the lungs. But this article made it clear to me that the method of breathing can very well define an entire species. Some mammals breathe though expanding lungs, birds breathe though networks of air sacs, and reptiles such as crocodiles breathe using muscles in their chest and belly. With the new information from this study, scientists were able to find out that the breathing method of dinosaurs was similar to that of birds. This factor broke many ideas I had had about dinosaurs, bone structure, and how simple different bodies and anatomy are. The scientists studying this dinosaur were able to make so many connections from a skeleton that may not have even been complete, yet answer many questions about the dinosaurs of the past. This discovery was truly an eye opener for me and makes me more fascinated about what other ways dinosaurs may be connected and related to the animals of the present.
I read the article "This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation", and was impressed by how someone was able to teach conservation and preservation through climbing trees. Firstly, I found Kovar’s humble beginnings very interesting, since I assumed that someone with a career as niche as tree climbing would have had an interest in it and trained themselves in the craft ever since they were a young kid. The fact that he went through multiple side jobs before settling into tree climbing and conservation makes his story more realistic and relatable. Also, the fact that Kovar was able to tach a pair of 75-year old women and a blind girl how to climb trees was really inspiring to me because it shows how people can achieve anything with the aid of a brilliant mentor. The way that he teaches students to climb trees, by instilling a love for nature and a relationship with trees, further proves how brilliant of a teacher he is. He effectively removes the fear of climbing and establishes a closer bond with nature, which is necessary, especially at older ages, since most of us have not been outside to appreciate and understand nature the way that we could’ve hundreds of years ago. Our modern lives have made it increasingly difficult to even find time to care about the environment, so I commend Kovar for fostering a desire to conserve our planet while providing a healthy exercise. Kovar treats every tree he climbs with so much care and caution, its no wonder so many of his students feel inspired to care for trees as well.
The article I read was “This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation”, which was about Tim Korvar and his teachings on tree climbing. As a child, I used to climb trees for fun too, but I had no idea that tree climbing was an art that could be taught to anyone of any physique. Korvar says that the right technique will help anyone climb trees, including a 75 year old woman. This experience can create a better connection to the trees, thereby indirectly helping the conservation of the ecosystem. Most people, including me, tend to try to help the environment by recycling, but can get lazy in their efforts because they might not realize the immediate effects of their decisions. By making environmentalism fun and engaging for everyone, it leads to higher chances that more people will attempt to protect the trees from our constant usage for industrial gain. It helps everyone tap into their youthfulness, which becomes a goal of older people who might be overwhelmed by their everyday stresses. While tree climbing is an exciting endeavor, it is also important to make sure that you are not constantly using the trees, as that can have a detrimental effect on them. Sometimes we do not see trees as living beings and do not fully comprehend the necessity for trees, but by building a bond, it allows us to try and prevent deforestation, which is a growing issue in the modern era.
The first article I've read was "Sea otters stay warm thanks to leaky mitochondria in their muscles". At first I thought all mammals stayed warm from features like thick fur like bears or blubber like whales, but I found out that this was not the case for all animals. Further reading through the article I was suprised that even though sea otters have a thick layer of fur, they leak energy from their mitochondria to generate heat, which I've never knew was possible. Some other mammals can do this but not at the rate sea otters which makes this feature even more unique to sea otters. I was also surprised to see that baby sea otters also leak energy at the same rate as adult sea otters even though they have smaller bodies that are not fully developed.
The second article I've read was "This professional tree climber teaches inspiration and conservation". It was a fascinating article about conservation and about climbing trees. I've only climbed trees a few times before and but this story quickly made me interested. Kovar seems like a great teacher since he cares for the trees he climbs on and is experienced in teaching others how to climb trees, especially a blind 10 year old girl. He also teaches about the redwoods he climbs, like how they contribute to the environment and how important conservation is. I've seen pictures of the redwood forests and they look massive and they probably support a large ecosystem in the region. Also, Kovar teaches biology students about the trees and how in recent times they've been harvested for land and lumber which hurts the forest, animals, and the environment.
- Arsalaan Zaki (Late comment)
Article: Vaping Dinosaurs
I found this article wildly interesting because I realized that even the smallest differences in evolutionary paths can be observed in something as universal as breathing. The article had me thinking, "How many different methods of inhaling are there? Does the type of environment an organism live in determine which way of breathing is best? Or is the type of breathing depend on other factors in the organisms lifestyle such as the speed at which it travels at?". These dinosaurs' fossils (H. tucki) reveal that in a small period in their evolutionary history, ornithischians (bird-hipped) had breathed using musculature that inflated its belly to inhale air, and relaxed the same muscles to push out air, this method being similar to how the diaphragm functions. Nowhere in this article though does it mention lungs, which was the most surprising thing about this to me, can something even breathe without lungs? I was already well aware that the earth at that period had a much higher oxygen content in its atmosphere, with the oxygen content being directly correlating with the size of the animals, and the ability of the organisms metabolism, so would dinosaurs have more efficient "lungs" or respiratory organs to have as much as an advantage from the high oxygen content as possible, and was this method of having muscles to facilitate breathing instead of air sacs (like most bird-hipped dinosaurs) superior in some environments? The article showed me that even with universal facets of life, you can see wild differences between organisms that you would've thought to be distinctly similar in most senses.
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