A slime mold is most similar to a a. plant b. animal c. fungus
One interesting thing slime molds can do is a. convert light into nutrients b. camouflage with their surroundings c. store and communicate memories
When put in a maze modelled after Tokyo, the slime mold a. got lost because it had no memory of the space b. began to consume the walls of the maze c. recreated the Tokyo railway system
Discussion/essay questions
Slime molds are an example of an organism that shows intelligence without a brain. This has caused some scientists to rethink the definition of “intelligent life.” How would you define intelligence? Do you think we underestimate plants and fungi?
Transcript
A slime mold is a type of organism similar to a fungus. Slime molds grow in damp, dark environments. There are over 900 species. For a long time, scientists did not know how to classify slime molds. They behave like plants, animals, and bacteria in different ways. Slime molds are interesting because they can join together to form networks of cells. These networks can store and communicate memories. Slime molds are also very good at navigation. They use spatial memory to find the shortest path to their destination. In fact, in 2010, a group of researchers put a slime mold in a maze modelled after Tokyo. The researchers placed food at major hubs. The slime mold chose a path almost identical to Tokyo’s railway system. Since this test, scientists have experimented with using slime molds to optimize human transportation.
The biosphere is a. the surface of the Earth, where there is plenty of light and oxygen b. the areas of the Earth where most plants and animals live c. all of the areas on Earth that can sustain life
Microbes that can live in environments without much water, sunlight, or oxygen are called a. eukaryotes b. extremophiles c. eubacteria
The “shadow biosphere” hypothesis suggests that a. life on other planets is probably very similar to life on Earth b. new types of bacteria are evolving very quickly underground c. Earth may contain microbes that have very different chemical structures from us
Discussion/essay questions
Do you believe in life on other planets? Why or why not? Why do you think we haven’t found any?
Transcript
The biosphere is all of the areas on Earth that can sustain life. Most complex plants and animals need lots of water, oxygen, and sunlight to survive. When scientists look for life on other planets, they seek places that have the potential to provide these things. On Earth, however, certain microbes thrive in environments that are low in these essential ingredients. These microbes are called extremophiles. They live in volcanoes, deserts, and Antarctic ice. Some extremophiles survive because they can use unusual chemicals to sustain themselves. It is possible that Earth contains microbes with chemical structures that are very different from our own. This hypothesis is called the “shadow biosphere.” A shadow biosphere would be made up of life that is chemically unrelated to life as we know it. If this type of life exists, there may be more habitable planets than we think.
The midnight sun occurs at a. the equator b. the north pole c. both the north and south poles
In the summer, the midnight sun can be seen in a. Australia b. southern Canada c. Norway
People in the north often use special curtains to a. conserve warmth b. stay dry c. mimic nighttime
Discussion/essay questions
What is the most interesting natural sight you’ve ever seen?
Transcript
The midnight sun is a phenomenon that occurs at the north and south poles. During their summer months, each region experiences 24-hour days, where the sun does not set at all. This is because of the angle of the Earth’s axis. From June until August, people can observe the midnight sun in many northern regions, such as Norway, Alaska, and northern parts of Canada. While the sun still appears to travel through the sky, it never falls below the horizon. Because there are no signals that distinguish day from night, it can be difficult to keep healthy sleep habits during the northern summer. Many people use blackout curtains to mimic nighttime.
In the 1960s, a serious environmental concern was a. the ozone hole b. air and water pollution c. ocean acidification
Gaylord Nelson was a. a Wisconsin senator b. an environmental journalist c. a student anti-war activist
Most of the Earth Day demonstrations took place at a. government offices b. factories c. university campuses
Discussion/essay questions
What are environmental protections like where you live? Are there changes you would like to see?
Indigenous cultures around the world have respected and protected nature for a long time. Why do you think it took so long for many national governments to recognize environmental impacts?
Transcript
Before the 1960s, many people knew very little about environmental damage. There were few regulations, and companies could contaminate natural areas without facing consequences. By the end of the decade, air and water pollution were becoming serious problems. An American senator from Wisconsin named Gaylord Nelson wanted to implement policies to protect the environment. Inspired by the effectiveness of anti-war protests at the time, Nelson decided to organize a day of educational demonstrations at university campuses to start a conversation about the environment. On April 22nd, 1970, millions of people attended demonstrations. Earth Day was held on April 22nd every year after that. The growing interest in the environment caused several policy changes in the US and around the world.
Have you ever seen bioluminescent creatures in real life?
Transcript
Bioluminescence is a phenomenon that creates displays of light in nature. It can often be seen in oceans. This light is actually created by organisms in the environment. Certain marine animals have a chemical in their bodies called luciferin, which reacts with oxygen and produces light. Some organisms use bioluminescence to scare away predators, while others use it to attract mates. Bioluminescence is especially common in deep water, because it allows organisms to navigate and communicate in the dark. However, marine animals are not the only organisms that can produce light. Fireflies are bioluminescent insects that can be found on almost every continent.
