Essays and Research Papers on Biology

A good 6 page analysis of the nature vs. nurture controversy regarding factors that contribute most strongly to human development. The writer assesses both sides of the issue, explains its relevance to sociology & sociobiology, and determines that the development of a personality and the characteristics of that personality actually depend upon a combination of ...

A detailed, 5 page overview of hornets in which the writer analyzes the species from a biological perspective. Reproduction, hibernation, metabolism, and pursuit of prey are some of the many items explored. Bibliography lists 2+ sources.

A 3 page overview, covering items similar to "Hornets : A Sub-species of Social Wasps" (hornet.wps)- only with lesser attention to detail and no bibliography.

An 8 page research paper about the effects of sulfur dioxide on plants in a variety of locales. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

An 8 page overview of the effects and interactions of bacteria on plants. Emphasizes that plants are dependent on some of these interactions but are adversely impacted by others. Includes commercial and non-commercial impacts as well as a mention of efforts to commercially capitalize on the interactions of plants and bacteria by producing ...

A 5 page overview of the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Includes information on its evolutionary relationship to the crocodile, its reproductive strategy, habitat preferences, subsistence patterns and other behavior. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page paper that discusses the causes of the dramatic decrease in the numbers of amphibians in Australia and Central America. The essay describes a study conducted by a group of scientists who not only found the cause of the declining population but who discovered a new fungus. Bibliography lists 1 source.

In this 6 page essay, the author examines several factors inhibited and/or facilitating a frog's ability to jump using certain key muscles. Beginning with an introductory overview of amphibian/frog muscle structure, various idiosyncratic elements in the jump are explored. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

10 pages in length. Howler monkeys face an uncertain future with regard to species survival. The tree-dwelling, fruit-eating primates who are indigenous to Central and South America make their home far within the rain forest, where they have been met with significant hardship and population decline on account of mankind's ongoing deforestation and ...

A 5 page exploration of DNA and its relations to cellular reproduction. Includes a discussion of cellular structure, mitosis, and meiosis. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

An 11 page overview of the ecologies of carnivorous plants such as Pitcher Plants and Venus Fly Traps. Provides specific information regarding habitats and the factors which influence those habitats. Bibliography lists 11 sources.

An 10 page overview of the evolutionary path of the modern day birds. Discusses the controversy and debate surrounding the question of the speculated origin of birds from dinosaurs. Discusses the current findings in the field and the need for additional research. Identifies twenty common elements between the earliest known birds and the ...

A 10 page paper discussing the E. coli infection. This is an infection which can prove to be very dangerous to the health of an individual, and is normally contracted through tainted meats and dairy products. While the majority of the cases result in nothing more than digestive problems, there is the chance that an infection could ...

A 10 page analysis of biologists Richard Dawkins' book The Selfish Gene in which Dawkins proposes a theory of natural selection that encompasses all human behavior. This theory maintains that the process of natural selection actually works at the level of the gene. Dawkins is, above all else, a Darwinist and the basis for his ...

A 5 page paper discussing the coffee plant's structure and habit, then discussion of caffeine's effects on the body. Coffee is one of those plants that does not grow as well where it is native as it does where it does not. Native to Africa, it grows best for commercial purposes about 25 ...

A 4 page review of a controlled study that shows that a method used to determine hormone levels in children was flawed because the stimulus used inflated results in 1,418 salivary cortisol tests on children. By testing the method, the authors exposed how some child development studies may have inflated findings. The authors propose ...

9 pages in length. The volatile controversy concerning cloning is not one that is easily solved. When perusing several articles on the subject of cloning, there are any number of excellent arguments on each side of the issue; however, many of these arguments are nothing more than scare tactics or ridiculous claims that ...

A 5 page discussion of language. Explains the evolution of language in humans both in terms of innate capability and as being an evolution which occurred as a result of environmental stimuli. Concludes that while animals have an innate capability for language they have not experienced the need for more complex evolutionary aspects of the basic forms of ...

5 pages in length. Maintaining one's own teeth is certainly a preferable alternative to having dentures; however, when the time comes to make such a decision, there are a number of considerations to be made beyond merely the fit. If dentures are not properly cleansed on a regular basis, this can lead to ...

A 15 page paper discussing the mechanisms by which Herpes simplex can lie dormant for years and then reappear. An individual's first experience with Herpes simplex is not his last. Once there has been an initial outbreak, viral DNA finds its way to the nuclei of neurons of the sensory nervous system. There it ...

A 9 page discussion of the factors impacting the salmon populations of the Northwest coast. Addresses several normative economic questions regarding the value of the fishery and management efforts. Identifies damning as the primary impact and outlines the most appropriate management approach. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 15 page sequel to KS-HSV.wps expanding on the more basic principles of that first paper. This paper focuses exclusively on HSV-1 and explores issues such as gene expression, gene products, function and possible mechanisms of action of the latency-associated gene expression in much greater depth. It also goes into more highly detailed discussion of ...

A 16 page paper discussing the strengths and weakness of the views of the creationists and the evolutionists. While evolutionists present a single group, creationists come adhering to all manner of ideas and theories. The most vocal group are the young-earth creationists, who maintain the earth likely is 6,000 years old and certainly no ...

An 8 page overview of cellular structure. Defines a cell and distinguishes between plant and animal cells. List the major cellular components and describes their structure and function. Includes a Roman Numeral outline. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

An 11 page overview of the Bacillus anthracis bacteria and its potential for use in biological warfare. Includes a description of the species and its epidemiology and outlines current research on the organism, including the recent development of a vaccine. Emphasizes the importance of the identification of one centralized U.S. Agency who is responsible for responding ...