Reptile and Bird Eggs: An Introduction

Reptile and Bird Eggs: An Introduction For a long time now scientist have been studying all types of reptiles since before man walked the earth. When comparing todays modern reptile eggs, and bird eggs we see many differences that are still being studied. Birds are almost found everywhere, while most reptile are only in specific location. They both lay eggs that are diverse internally and externally. We will look at different species of birds and reptiles to find out more about their extraordinary reproductive system and the eggs themselves. Birds Feathered, winged egg laying vertebrates. (Irie, 2010) Approximately 10,000 living species (Deeming, 2007) The only branch of dinosaurs to have survived the Cretaceous Paleogene extinction 65.5 million years ago. (Dolnik, 2001) Scientists theorize that birds evolved from dinosaurs. (Dolnik, 2001) Archaeopteryx lithographica  had two strong legs and walked as a bird does. Its skeleton was reptilian and had the feathers of a bird. (Dolnik, 2001) There are two theories as to why feathers would have developed in the evolution of birds. One is that because the ancestors of birds where becoming warm blooded, they needed the insulation of feathers. Another is that they develop because of a need for flight and gliding. (Dolnik, 2001) This capability to fly gave birds the competitive edge as they could travel over greater distances and areas seeking food. This also permitted them to live in places unreachable to other animals. (Deeming, 2007)   Bird Eggs Bird eggs  are laid by females and  incubated  for a time that changes according to the species. (Deeming, D C; Birchard, G F 2007) A single bird hatches from each egg. (Deeming, D C; Birchard, G F 2007) Lay very typical amniote eggs  with calcified shells. (Dove, 2012) Birds brood their eggs until hatching. Some bird species are naked and helpless at birth, and must be fed by their parents; these birds are called  altricial. (Dove, 2012) Some birds lay eggs even when not fertilized (Deeming, 2007) Cormorant eggs are rough and chalky (Dove, 2012) Tinamou  eggs are shiny (Nathan, 1999) Duck  eggs are oily and waterproof (Nathan, 1999) Cassowary eggs are heavily pitted (Nathan, 1999) Tiny pores in a bird eggshell allow the embryo to breathe. (Irie, 2010) The majority bird eggs have an  oval shape, with one end rounded and the other more pointed. (Deeming, 2007) The eggs wall is shapeable(Deeming, 2007) Numerous animals feed on eggs. (Dove, 2012) Humans have a long history of both eating wild bird eggs and raising birds for farmed eggs for consumption. (Dove, 2012) Brood parasitism  occurs in birds when one species lays its eggs in the nest of another. In some cases, the hosts eggs are removed or eaten by the female, or expelled by her chick. (Irie, 2010) Reptiles Reptiles  are members of the  class  Reptilia  comprising the  amniotes  that are neither  birds  nor  mammals. (Rafferty, 2012) The amniotes are the  vertebrates  with eggs featuring an  amnion, a double membrane that allows the  embryo  to breathe effectively on land. (Dolnik, 2001) Living reptiles are  cold-blooded  and bear scales. (Rafferty, 2012) Reptiles originated around 320-310 million years ago during the  Carboniferous  period, having evolved from highly developed  reptile like amphibians  that became gradually more adapted to life on dry land. (Dolnik, 2001) There are many extinct groups, including  dinosaurs,  pterosaurs, and ichthyosaurs. (Dolnik, 2001) There are 8,240 species of reptiles in the world, inhabiting every continent except Antarctica. (shine, 1999) Lizards and snakes have a single sheet of overlapping scales. (Rafferty, 2012) Other reptiles grow plates. (Rafferty, 2012) The main purpose of the skin is to keep water in the animals body. (Shine, 1999) Reptiles can go without water for long periods, and many species prosper in deserts. (Shine, 1999) Reptiles, like birds, have deliberate control over the muscles in their eyes, which determine their pupil size. They are able to constrict or dilate their pupils at will, not just in reaction to light. (Dove, 2012) The brain of a reptile is not over 1 percent of his body mass. Unlike amphibians, however, the reptilian brain has two hemispheres. (Nathan, 1999) The nervous systems of reptiles are adequately complex and similar to those of mammals. (Rafferty, 2012) Reptile eggs The eggs laid by some reptiles even smaller, and those of insects and other  invertebrates  can be much smaller still. (Nathan, 1999) Chicken eggs have a hard shell while reptile eggs have a soft, leathery shell. (Qualls, 2002) Large macrolecithal eggs, develop independent of water. (Deeming, D C; Birchard, G F 2007) Like amphibians,  amniotes  are air-breathing  vertebrates, but they have complex eggs including an  amniotic membrane. (Qualls, 2002) Dinosaurs laid eggs, some of which have been preserved as petrified fossils. (Dolnik, 2001) Macrolecital eggs are found in  reptiles(Deeming, 2007) Oviparity is typical of birds and reptiles. (Nathan, 1999) Literature Review Dove (2012). Consumption of bird eggs by invasive Burmese Pythons in Florida. Burmese Pythons have been reported to consume 25 species of adult birds in Everglades National Park, Florida but until now no records documented this species eating bird eggs. Deeming, D C; Birchard, G F (2007). Allometry of egg and hatchling mass in birds and reptiles: roles of developmental maturity, eggshell structure and phylogeny. This article looks at a wide range of birds and  reptiles using regression analysis, In birds, initial  egg  mass (IEM) at laying is the most important factor affecting phylogenetic relatedness. For all  reptile  species, IEM phylogenetic relatedness did not. This article also observed for the relationship between  eggmass and incubation period. Shine, R,(1999). Egg-laying reptiles in cold climates: determinants and consequences of nest temperatures in montane lizards. This article studies reptilian life-history and evolution. Many of these species avoid low incubation temperatures by selecting warm nest-sites, reptiles  may adapt to low-temperature incubation rather than avoid it. Bassiana  eggs  tolerate higher temperatures than do Nannoscincus  eggs, but do not develop as rapidly at low temperatures. Dolnik, (2001) Allometry of egg mass, clutch size and total clutch mass in dinosaurs: comparison with modern reptiles and birds. In this article the author presents for the first time empirical allometrical equations matching the mass of dinosaurs with the mass of their  eggs, clutch size and its total mass. Contrast of these equations with those that were planned for modern taxa of  reptiles  and birds shows that dinosaurs can be characterized by intermediate value of allometry index. Nathan, R, and Y. L. Werner (1999). Reptiles and breeding birds on Mt. Hermon: Patterns of altitudinal distribution and species richness This article reviews and analyzes the altitudinal distribution of  reptiles  and breeding  birds on Mt. Hermon over the distance of 2814 m. Species diversity was larger in breeding  birds  than in  reptiles  , declining with rising altitude in both groups, but more sharply so in  birds. The scientist explain that the generalization of vegetation arrangement with increasing altitude may explain this variation, because  birds probably better use the three-dimensionality of densely-vegetated habitats that take over low elevations. C. P. Qualls,  R. M. Andrews (2002). Maternal body volume constrains water uptake by lizard eggs  in utero In this article observations showed that some characteristic of retention in the oviductal environment restricts the amount of water eggs can absorb prior to oviposition. This paper presents proof, from two species of  Sceloporus  lizard, supporting the hypothesis that restricted space within the mothers body cavity physically constrains the ability of eggs to expand, and thereby their ability to absorb water. If such a constraint on water uptake is extensive, it can have significant implications for the understanding the costs of reproduction, and the determinants of reproductive output in squamate reptiles. Anthony R. Rafferty and Richard D. Reina, (2012). Arrested embryonic development: a review of strategies to delay hatching in egg-laying reptiles. This article discusses arrested embryonic development connecting the down regulation or cessation of active cell division and metabolic activity, and the ability of an animal to arrest embryonic development results in temporal plasticity of the duration of embryonic period. Arrested embryonic development is a significant reproductive strategy for egg-laying animals that provide no parental care after oviposition. Irie,Toshiaki, (2010). Retinoid storage in the egg of reptiles and birds In this article storage of retinal has been established in  eggs  from a variety of anamniotic vertebrates, but the retinoid-storage state in  eggs  of oviparous  amniotic  vertebrates (reptiles and  birds) has not been clarified in detail. Scientist studied four reptilian and five avian species and established that retinal was commonly stored in their  egg  yolk. In addition, retinal was the major retinoid in reptilian eggs, with only low levels of retinol, while major amounts of retinol as well as retinal were stored in avian  eggs. In equally reptilian and avian  eggs, retinal was frequently bound to proteins, which were assumed to be homologous to the proteins that attach retinal in the  eggs  of anamniotic vertebrates.

Sociology Couples and Equality Paper

Sociology – Using material item B and elsewhere, assess the view that roles and relationships among couples are becoming more equal. To assess equality between couple's roles within a family over time we must comprehend power distribution and human psychology that exists within a couple's relationship. We must do this in order to understand why each role has been distributed between the two partners the male and the female.And henceforth between comparison of older studies and newer studies we can derive a pattern of progression or regression in the equality among couples. One of the roles that have been distributed between couples is household chores. Ann Oakley, a feminist (1975) came to the understanding that the housewife, a socialised role, was created by industrialisation. She discovered this when she researched middle and working class couples and their scale of equality; working class participants had less equality on average compared to middle class participants.This occurred as the higher the class the higher you are in the power hierarchy and those with power had the ability to make a better life for themselves and the people they cared about. The better the life the healthier the relationship, caused by positive and cooler mind sets, which then leads on to joint conjugal roles where neither partner wants to upset the happiness that exists between them. Also in the higher classes friendship circles are very close were all the husbands would socialise together and so would the wife's leading to joint conjugal roles Bott (1957).The working class participants as mentioned before had little equality even though the men could make the difference by refreshing otherwise standard attitudes of ignorance and influence of â€Å"the housewife†. The housewife being the idea that childcare and housework are defined as female roles (Item B). The power hierarchy triangle , using my chained analysis, can be used as a life standard scale then also a hea lthy relationship scale then furthermore an equality scale were on average there is small equality.To criticise Ann Oakley she did not assess the difficulty of paid work for men in those times as men did have to endure a large amount of responsibility when undergoing mental and physical tasks, when using emotional influence to excel their career and to say the least making sure his family didn’t end up on the streets (welfare and benefits were minuscule). This research if done could tip the scales of equality in this era. Also in those times women didn't expect to be treated equally the idea of the housewife was passed down from mother to daughter in order for their daughter and her children after to be able to excel in the class system.So can we really criticise the inequality that men created if the teaching of being the housewife were being passed down by women. Newer studies of the household chore from the British social attitudes survey (1997) showed an increase in the e quality between husband and wife where men would contribute to domestic work; march of progress. But all the same the men are still the minority when it comes to the most responsible figure in the household. Which suggests the ideology of the housewife is still present and so the symmetrical family is still an idea society is fighting for; old habits die hard.In comparison of both research studies I see that the idea of the housewife is still present hindering the chances of equality/the symmetrical family. But equality between couples has developed/progressed as we see men are taking part in more domestic work/household chores. The second type of role that takes part within the family is childcare. Boulton (1983) wrote a book â€Å"On Being a Mother† and it discusses how men do look after the children but in their own benefits and didn't actually take primary responsibility.In example a mother would need help looking after the children as she had a huge amount of domestic wo rk to tend to so the father would take the children out for ice cream the mother would never be able to do that because she's always busy and the father gets to go out for pleasure. In this case the children spend time with the father not because the father has the responsibility but because the mother, the primary carer, could not tend to them and in the end the father gets to enjoy his time while the mother is at home putting the family above herself.There's a vast amount of inequality between the segregated couples which regresses the idea of the symmetrical family. Ferri and smith (1996) had a similar study but on a vast scale and the found that there was hardly any equality between couples in contributing to family roles as the father would have he easier tasks and the women would be the labour in the household. They also found that if women contributed to putting bread on the table they would still have to contribute to the domestic labour as much as any other women as if it w ere a privilege to be able to go out and work.This also contributing to the idea that equality between couples has regressed as the large majority of the data concludes that women are overworked by men. Decision making is the third role that is dispersed between the partners and we find that men usually make larger decisions while women keep to the smaller ones which involve their domestic work. Edgell (1980) found that men made decision on 3 areas that were important to both partners: moving house, finance and cars. While the women would make decision that was important but weren't seen as important to both partners e. tonight's diner, shopping for food, children's clothing etc. Due to the unappreciative attitudes each partner gave to the smaller but frequent tasks women undertook the man was considered as the power house where all decisions of and for the household were made. Understanding this we can see that equality could not progress because both partners are lead to believe t hat the smaller more frequent tasks are insignificant causing regression in equality between couples. Backing this statement is the second part of Edgell’s study was half the men and women said equality was a bad thing.We could assume that the man was taking lead on the decision and influencing the wife but most likely they saw each other as incapable of preforming their â€Å"set† tasks. Although there are criticisms of Edgell's study coming from another feminist NB Davis (1991) and she has experienced the idea that women can use their abilities of persuasion and power to manipulate and even undermine men's' power. If thought about the hypothesis is valid but there is no study to back that statement how do we know that women only accept their social status so they can sway the power in their direction.This study was 10 years later and we now have the understanding that women are capable of tipping the power distribution in their favour which may not be the best way to insure equality but it is effective. Even though this occurs I don't think most women have the capability of subtly controlling men to the point were they have the power and control within the relationship or equal to so I still stand on saying there is a regression in equality between couples. Pahl (1993) in research on the role of finance, the forth role, in a family found the men dominated in controlling the finances of the house.He found that if both couples were in paid work the man controlling the finances were more common and in the least likely of cases only one of the couples would work and that one would control the finances again most likely the man. We see an emerging pattern of men dominance in any case which regresses the idea of equality in distribution of domestic roles. But Pahl's study did find equality between men and women in managing the finances (a quarter of the results) which in comparison with industrial times the amount is pretty high as women were expecte d not to work at all and never to manage finances.So we can actually derive that there has been a progression, however slow, in the equality of men and women. In criticism men are naturally better at mathematics then women it is known in education that boys usually achieve higher in Maths while women usually excell in English so it can't just be based on the idea that men dominate the important tasks of the family linking in with decision making. The fifth but one of the most influential roles for men is the career role â€Å"someone to put bread on the table†. Martins and Roberts (1984) found that men are more likely to take part in domestic labour if the women worked full time. More likely† is an indication that even though the women took the role of the man would still be disinclined to take the responsibilities of the woman (54%). Women found it much harder to start and grow a career (Item B) so you would think men would have enough understanding and sympathy for th e majority to help out but it wasn't the case. Their second part of the research found that 74% of part time working women took full responsibility for domestic labour. This indicates very low levels of equality in this point in time.To argue Gershuny (1982) found that on average hours spent on conjugal roles for women was less of that of men if the man was in full time work. In older times on average more men were in full time work than women we would see that men's argument of equality would be better weighted than women. Sulvian (1996) found that most men spent their free time socialising and relaxing while women spent most of their free time to housework. This point could tip the scales to show balance between men and women on hours spent on conjugal roles; but it really depends on your point of view.Some people would argue that â€Å"a women's work is never done† because they want to create a perfect home not because they need to. I my opinion women do their work out of good will and because of this progression to the symmetrical family may be hindered. I derived this as women would be less likely to share their conjugal roles with the incapable domestic workers, men. Even with this is sight I see progression in equality amongst couples as Hardill el al (1997) found different data to Martin and Roberts (1984) but found evidence of joint decisions and some movements of equality.On time based judgements I say that career based roles in contribution to conjugal roles between couples are becoming more equal; as we see an emergence in joint decisions and shared labour. The sixth and darkest side of the family is the emotion and violence role. Duncombe and Marsden (1995) found evidence to construct the triple shift theory were in the most unequal situation women would do the domestic labour be in full employment and use their emotional capabilities to create a stable and happy family.Their research shows that undertaking the role of emotional work is a g reat responsibility as you must not only understand yourself but the rest of the family too. Not only that because the children are too young to see the problem and, research shows, the father denies it the women gets singled out. Which leads to the inescapable situation: the women out of good will try to make sure her family see the problem and because of that she is exposed to domestic violence.Dobash and Dobash (1979) found that out of 137 women 25% of them would receive beatings for poor behaviour. This occurred as they found the power relationship in marriage is unequal between the couples which then affects the later generations understanding of violence within the household due to visual socialisation. They also found that women were incapable of leaving their husbands due to financial dependence so again we find an inescapable situation were women are the victims. If we work through 1979 to 1995 we find that women found 2 escape routes to equality.One was to gain financial d ependence to start careers from young ages and not falling into this oppressed cycle (evidence being Item B â€Å"current high levels of divorce†). The other lead into the second oppressed cycle. By looking at this research and understanding the scientific principle of natural selection women have learnt to avoid violence/physical confrontation by becoming skilled in working with people’s emotions. Women may not always fall into the second cycle of oppression depending on their skill in emotion and the characteristics of each of the family members.These two routes may not always lead to equality but they lead to greater equality than that of the past showing a progression in equality amongst couples in society. Evaluating these different domestic roles I have found one conclusion on the equality between couples and its course. The symmetrical family is a feasible idea but time has taken its toll and partnerships continue to be unequal (Item B) but with time and underst anding of this situation we can progress. In the role of household chores we found slow but gaining rogression in the equality amongst couples most likely caused by guilt as it takes time for the reality to sink in to unravel ignorance and primary socialisation. In the role of childcare we see that regression in equality between couples is predictable as the father likes to take the easy way out not seeing or denying the problem the mother gets singled out (against fun). So really in this situation the father is the individual that needs to get the progression of equality motor running.In the role of decision-making we have seen regression in equality amongst couples this was caused by both partners inability to change for the better were both partners deny the significance of smaller but frequent tasks. In the role of finance we discover that progression is there as men are allowing women to take on careers they are more accepting to the idea of women managing their own finances an d in comparison with other roles this one has most progression in equality. In the role of the â€Å"bread winner†/careers we see an equal amount of progression as that of finance for the same reason (constant reminders of capability).In the role of emotions and violence work we derive with understanding that equality is progressing as women were able to grow and overlook their past. With this understanding women are able to show the error in men’s ways and with time ignorance and highly gendered division of labour (Item B) will be a thing of the past and socialisation will work for equality amongst couples. With that being said and the rest of the assessment being considered I can say that roles and relationships amongst couples are becoming more equal because of women.

Reduse Usage of Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are not biodegradable, so they get littered onto a wasteland which causes soil erosion causing damage and harm to the trees. If plastic bags are burnt, they emit hazardous gases causing air pollution which causes damage on the ozone layer. The Plastic can be reduced by u not using lots of plastic and use things in yr homes then going to buy a plastic bottle from the shop. Plastic bags are made out of non-biodegradable substance. (not organic)Because they are durable they do not rot. Scientist believe that it would take up to 1,000 years to break down. In that time plastic bags separate into smaller toxic particles that contaminates the soil and even waterways. Even if we try to burn them, it pollutes the atmosphere Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are made worldwide. That means that 1 million plastic bags are made each minute, but then billions end up as litter each year. Making plastic bags can lead to exhaustion of oil, because to make a lot of plastic bags, we need a lot of oil. If we reduce oil we could save much more oil. You can actually drive about 460 meters with the oil which is used for only one plastic bag. Plastic bags even kill a lot of marine animals. Plastic bags gets blown into the ocean and floats around like a jelly-fish. A lot of sea-creatures choke and die for mistaking them as their food. Each year, thousands of sea turtles choke on plastic bags after mistaking them for jellyfish, their favourite food. Even other sea critters like sea lions and dolphins have also been found with their stomachs filled with plastic bags! GOVERNMENT SHOULD BAN PLASTIC BAG The society's consumption rate is now estimated over 500,000,000,000 plastic bags annually. The Malaysian Federal Government is considering banning plastic bag for environmental reason. There are some big company have take the challenge to make â€Å"say no to plastic bag† campaign such as IKEA, AEON and Factory Outlet Store (F. O. S). There are many drawbacks of the use of plastic bags. In some other countries, there are proposals to charge for the use of plastic bags. The objective of this paper is to educate shoppers to use reusable bags instead of plastic bags whenever possible. In the other hand, many people think it would be nuisance because there are so many practical uses for plastic bags. The United States Environmental Protection says paper bags are worse for the environment than plastic. Plastic bags require much less energy to manufacture and recycle because of this plastic generates less greenhouse gas. Plastic bags cause less air and water pollution. They compress to a small size in landfills. Nevertheless, this paper is to agree that government should ban plastic bags because of several factors which are environment, economy and health. Firstly, the idea of banning plastic bags and use reusable bag is good for the environment. In the other hand, many people think it would be ineffective because, according to Hilary Chiew (Chiew, 2009) in article high usage from Startwo’s newspapers, paper degrade at a slower rate compared to plastic in a landfill. In modern landfills nothing completely degrades due to the lack of water, light and oxygen. University of Arizona have done a research on paper, paper does not degrade even in 3 decades. So, paper takes up more space than plastic in landfill. While according to Abu Bakar Yang (Bakar, 2009) in article â€Å"Ancaman plastik dan botol plastik† about 100,000 of marine animals like†¦

How to make a film Free Essay Example, 5000 words

At one point, I wanted to use a 12mm lens for a shot, but on the spot, that lens proved to be too wrong to select for the shot because the effects it created totally ruined the image. I ended up checking different lenses for the shot, which spoke very badly of my competence in the use of the camera in front of the actors and the crew. However, it was indeed, a great learning experience for me as I got to find out how different lenses could affect the shot. I need to practice a lot in order to make my actions consistent with my concepts. In order to enhance my knowledge and skill in the use of different kinds of lenses, I am particularly concentrating upon the literature about them. I believe that photographers develop their unique and individualistic style of filmmaking by playing with lenses. I have started over from reading the experiences of famous photographers. Personal interviews published in newspapers and magazines in which the photographers talk about the use of lenses for customizing the graphics according to the demand of the situation make a very good source of information. We will write a custom essay sample on How to make a film or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Not only that, I have started to analyze the quality of photography of different movie prints, and have become more critical in my evaluation of the cinematography. I tend to think what lens the photographer might have used for a particular scene and try to judge its role in generating the effect the scene maintains. I believe that these exercises are very thought to provoke and sharpening, and thus need a lot of practicing in order to inculcate perfection in me. Of all the terms, the very first term of the exercise was quite beneficial in this knowledge area of photography. It made me learn a lot. I worked with a wide range of actors from kindergarten children to sexagenarians. Being a student, I require a lot of experience in order to excel in my field, so I am eager to practice almost everything and work with everybody. I have also gained experience in acting.