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**It seems to be a nearly universal reaction to become irritated at seeing someone messing with the touch-me-not, as you can see from all the comments on touch-me-not videos. One YouTube commenter wryly explains, "Funny how people willingly pick, cut, step on, or otherwise harm plants, but as soon as the plant is capable of noticeable movement, suddenly they decide it has feelings and anyone who bothers it is a bastard." Hmm.
**It seems to be a nearly universal reaction to become irritated at seeing someone messing with the touch-me-not, as you can see from all the comments on touch-me-not videos. One YouTube commenter wryly explains, "Funny how people willingly pick, cut, step on, or otherwise harm plants, but as soon as the plant is capable of noticeable movement, suddenly they decide it has feelings and anyone who bothers it is a bastard." Hmm.


*The [[wp:Telegraph_plant|telegraph plant]] is a biological implementation of a [[wp:Solar_tracker|solar tracker]] system; it uses leaflets to find the angle of the sun and then moves its larger leaves into place, to maximize its energy use vs. intake.
*The [[wp:Codariocalyx motorius|telegraph plant]] is a biological implementation of a [[wp:Solar_tracker|solar tracker]] system; it uses leaflets to find the angle of the sun and then moves its larger leaves into place, to maximize its energy use vs. intake.


*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hGbYMqM3zM Dancing grass]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hGbYMqM3zM Dancing grass]
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[[wp:Carnivorous plant|Carnivorous plants?!]] The very idea of a plant that eats meat is so bizarre that we would refuse to believe in such a thing if we hadn't all seen Venus fly traps on TV. It seems that carnivory is a viable practice in areas that are too nutrient-poor for regular plants to grow. These plants dispel the notion that an organism needs to be [[wiktionary:motile|motile]] in order to catch food. (And the section after this dispels the notion that all plants are [[wiktionary:sessile|sessile]]!)
[[wp:Carnivorous plant|Carnivorous plants?!]] The very idea of a plant that eats meat is so bizarre that we would refuse to believe in such a thing if we hadn't all seen Venus fly traps on TV. It seems that carnivory is a viable practice in areas that are too nutrient-poor for regular plants to grow. These plants dispel the notion that an organism needs to be [[wiktionary:motile|motile]] in order to catch food. (And the section after this dispels the notion that all plants are [[wiktionary:sessile|sessile]]!)


*Everyone's seen the [[wp:Venus fly trap|Venus fly trap]] catch a fly. It's actually the most primitive and slowest plant carnivore, as you'll see. But here's some interesting nuances that you probably didn't know:
*Everyone's seen the [[wp:Venus flytrap|Venus fly trap]] catch a fly. It's actually the most primitive and slowest plant carnivore, as you'll see. But here's some interesting nuances that you probably didn't know:
**It has a short-term memory. A single stimulus won't close the trap; it has to feel two movements within ~20 seconds with separate hairs in order to close. This seems to border on the whole "domain of the mechanical" thing once again.
**It has a short-term memory. A single stimulus won't close the trap; it has to feel two movements within ~20 seconds with separate hairs in order to close. This seems to border on the whole "domain of the mechanical" thing once again.
**The fly trap also allows smaller bugs to escape if trapped, and then re-opens early. This is akin to a fisher throwing back a small fish.
**The fly trap also allows smaller bugs to escape if trapped, and then re-opens early. This is akin to a fisher throwing back a small fish.
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**Scientists don't know exactly how it works. The theorized details could be instructive for us, though, if I could only understand it. It has something to do with elasticity, ion propagation, and osmosis. Basically, the triggering hairs cause a chemical reaction which causes water to move around in the plant. This is apparently the basic explanation for all plant movement, such as with the telegraph plant above.
**Scientists don't know exactly how it works. The theorized details could be instructive for us, though, if I could only understand it. It has something to do with elasticity, ion propagation, and osmosis. Basically, the triggering hairs cause a chemical reaction which causes water to move around in the plant. This is apparently the basic explanation for all plant movement, such as with the telegraph plant above.


*The most gorgeous meat-eating monster plant ever, the [[wp:Sundew|sundew]], grabs bugs with sticky dewdrops that it extrudes onto those filaments, and in some cases curls up its tendrils to further trap its prey. Did I mention it's also gorgeous ([[wp:File:Drosera_spatulata_KansaiHabit.jpg|1]], [[wp:File:Drosera_derbyensis_ne1.JPG|2]], [[wp:File:Drosera_capensis_bend.JPG|3]], [[wp:File:Drosera_anglica_ne2.jpg|4]])?
*The most gorgeous meat-eating monster plant ever, the [[wp:Drosera|sundew]], grabs bugs with sticky dewdrops that it extrudes onto those filaments, and in some cases curls up its tendrils to further trap its prey. Did I mention it's also gorgeous ([[wp:File:Drosera_spatulata_KansaiHabit.jpg|1]], [[wp:File:Drosera_derbyensis_ne1.JPG|2]], [[wp:File:Drosera_capensis_bend.JPG|3]], [[wp:File:Drosera_anglica_ne2.jpg|4]])?


*Pitcher plants can get large enough to [http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/18/meat.eating.plant/ trap and digest rodents].
*Pitcher plants can get large enough to [http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/18/meat.eating.plant/ trap and digest rodents].


*The [[wp:Waterwheel_Plant|waterwheel plant]] grows in water and uses underwater floating whorls to catch bugs.
*The [[wp:Aldrovanda vesiculosa|waterwheel plant]] grows in water and uses underwater floating whorls to catch bugs.
**Its flowers are only seen for a few hours before they are pulled underwater.
**Its flowers are only seen for a few hours before they are pulled underwater.
**In the winter, it detaches buds called turions to sit at the bottom of the water. These survive extremely frigid conditions while the main plant dies. Once warmer weather returns, they "reduce their density" and rise to the surface in order to germinate and begin growing.
**In the winter, it detaches buds called turions to sit at the bottom of the water. These survive extremely frigid conditions while the main plant dies. Once warmer weather returns, they "reduce their density" and rise to the surface in order to germinate and begin growing.


*The [[wp:Bladderwort|bladderwort]] has a complex vacuum-powered flushing trap that catches bugs instantly.
*The [[wp:Utricularia|bladderwort]] has a complex vacuum-powered flushing trap that catches bugs instantly.


*One carnivorous plant, [https://news.yahoo.com/carnivorous-plants-employ-bodyguard-ants-213207637.html Nepenthes Bicalcarata], has bodyguard ants.
*One carnivorous plant, [https://news.yahoo.com/carnivorous-plants-employ-bodyguard-ants-213207637.html Nepenthes Bicalcarata], has bodyguard ants.
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Some plants, such as the newly discovered [[wp:Spigelia_genuflexa|Spigelia genuflexa]], actually plant their own seeds in the ground.
Some plants, such as the newly discovered [[wp:Spigelia_genuflexa|Spigelia genuflexa]], actually plant their own seeds in the ground.


====[[wp:Explosive dehiscence|Exploding plants]]====
====Exploding plants====
Some plants get bored waiting for Mother Nature to send wind or insects to help them spread seeds or pollen, and take matters into their own hands.
Some plants get bored waiting for Mother Nature to send wind or insects to help them spread seeds or pollen, and take matters into their own hands [[wp:Dehiscence (botany)#Explosive dehiscence|by exploding]].


*The [https://web.williams.edu/Biology/explodingflower/movies.html White Mulberry tree] spreads pollen by firing shots at half the speed of sound.
*The [https://web.williams.edu/Biology/explodingflower/movies.html White Mulberry tree] spreads pollen by firing shots at half the speed of sound.
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====Air plants====
====Air plants====
Who says that plants need minor things like roots, and soil to put them in? [[wp:Spanish moss|Spanish moss]] and other [[wp:Epiphytes|epiphytic plants]] can be found hanging from trees. They aren't parasitic; they absorb all their minerals and water from run-off that rain brings down the tree, as well as from rain itself. They may absorb moisture directly from the air as well. Spanish moss hardly performs any photosynthesis, appearing as a dead gray or pale green mass of hair-like leaves. Somehow this plant can still manage to put out small flowers, and it positively thrives in the southern U.S., where it can weigh down oaks and other trees.
Who says that plants need minor things like roots, and soil to put them in? [[wp:Spanish moss|Spanish moss]] and other [[wp:Epiphyte|epiphytic plants]] can be found hanging from trees. They aren't parasitic; they absorb all their minerals and water from run-off that rain brings down the tree, as well as from rain itself. They may absorb moisture directly from the air as well. Spanish moss hardly performs any photosynthesis, appearing as a dead gray or pale green mass of hair-like leaves. Somehow this plant can still manage to put out small flowers, and it positively thrives in the southern U.S., where it can weigh down oaks and other trees.


====Parasitic plants====
====Parasitic plants====
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*[https://oceana.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/shutterstock_blue_glaucus_0.jpg Glaucus atlanticus] is a pelagic sea slug that looks like an alien creature and eats man o’ wars. Nicknames include "blue angel" and "blue dragon".
*[https://oceana.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/shutterstock_blue_glaucus_0.jpg Glaucus atlanticus] is a pelagic sea slug that looks like an alien creature and eats man o’ wars. Nicknames include "blue angel" and "blue dragon".


*[[wp:Flabellina_verrucosa|This sea slug]] can incorporate stinging cells from its prey into its body as a defense.
*[[wp:Coryphella verrucosa|This sea slug]] can incorporate stinging cells from its prey into its body as a defense.


*Did you ever think you'd hear the words "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC3tAtXdaik carnivorous sponge]" together?
*Did you ever think you'd hear the words "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC3tAtXdaik carnivorous sponge]" together?
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*Ants can be completely fooled by [https://scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/2009/02/06/butterflies-scrounge-off-ants-by-mimicking-the-music-of-quee sound mimicry].
*Ants can be completely fooled by [https://scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/2009/02/06/butterflies-scrounge-off-ants-by-mimicking-the-music-of-quee sound mimicry].


*In a battle of wasp vs. spider, sometimes the wasp wins. Witness the [[wp:Tarantula wasp|tarantula wasp]].
*In a battle of wasp vs. spider, sometimes the wasp wins. Witness the [[wp:Tarantula hawk|tarantula hawk]].


*[[wp:Termite|Termites]] have a complex system of classes and roles. Note the “alates”; this can be the basis for a dramatic revelation that a certain kind of alien animal has a winged caste.
*[[wp:Termite|Termites]] have a complex system of classes and roles. Note the “alates”; this can be the basis for a dramatic revelation that a certain kind of alien animal has a winged caste.
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===Other animals===
===Other animals===
*This one is pretty gross but very fascinating. The [[wp:Dicrocoelium_dendriticum|Lancet liver fluke]] grows inside cattle, until it eventually leaves the cattle in "pie" form. Apparently snails enjoy cow pies, and end up ingesting the tiny flukes. Snails then expel these flukes inside slime balls (kind of like how your nose deals with unwelcome dust). Ants then eat the slime balls, which are like a moist treat. The flukes grow inside the ant's [[wp:Haemocoel|haemocoel]], except for one little fluke, which travels up to the ant's brain. This ant continues to behave normally, except for one odd quirk: every night, he climbs grass. He waits on the grass stalk until morning, at which point he descends to avoid the sunlight (which would kill it) and rejoins his ant buddies; he's become a vampire ant!. Finally, one night a cow or other grazing animal eats the grass that the ant is on. The flukes are now in the cow. Lather, rinse, repeat.
*This one is pretty gross but very fascinating. The [[wp:Dicrocoelium_dendriticum|Lancet liver fluke]] grows inside cattle, until it eventually leaves the cattle in "pie" form. Apparently snails enjoy cow pies, and end up ingesting the tiny flukes. Snails then expel these flukes inside slime balls (kind of like how your nose deals with unwelcome dust). Ants then eat the slime balls, which are like a moist treat. The flukes grow inside the ant's [[wp:Circulatory system#Open circulatory system|haemocoel]], except for one little fluke, which travels up to the ant's brain. This ant continues to behave normally, except for one odd quirk: every night, he climbs grass. He waits on the grass stalk until morning, at which point he descends to avoid the sunlight (which would kill it) and rejoins his ant buddies; he's become a vampire ant!. Finally, one night a cow or other grazing animal eats the grass that the ant is on. The flukes are now in the cow. Lather, rinse, repeat.


*[[wp:Toxoplasma_gondii|Toxoplasma]] is a famous protozoan which likes to live inside cats. How does it get inside the cat? Often by infecting rats. The infected rat is suddenly drawn to the scent of cats rather than repelled by it. This is intriguing because the rat has not become fearless or danger-seeking in general; it just acquires a sudden urge to befriend a cat, who finds it to be a nice snack. Toxoplasma then reproduces harmlessly inside the cat, and its ovocytes end up in the litter box.
*[[wp:Toxoplasma_gondii|Toxoplasma]] is a famous protozoan which likes to live inside cats. How does it get inside the cat? Often by infecting rats. The infected rat is suddenly drawn to the scent of cats rather than repelled by it. This is intriguing because the rat has not become fearless or danger-seeking in general; it just acquires a sudden urge to befriend a cat, who finds it to be a nice snack. Toxoplasma then reproduces harmlessly inside the cat, and its ovocytes end up in the litter box.
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*Psychology Today: [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animals-and-us/201006/are-humans-the-only-animals-keep-pets Are Humans the Only Animals to Keep Pets?].
*Psychology Today: [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animals-and-us/201006/are-humans-the-only-animals-keep-pets Are Humans the Only Animals to Keep Pets?].


*[https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/01/dogs-use-subway-cat-takes-bus-and-other-adventures-in-animal-intelligence/ How smart] [https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/when-meeting-up-at-sea-bottlenose-dolphins-exchange-name-like-whistles are] [https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/01/who-needs-words-crows-you-wild-gorillas-alison-krauss/ animals], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GOb3nFpewM really]? Their language use shouldn’t be underestimated, seeing as even prairie dogs seem to possess a highly-specific way to describe threats. Exceptional individuals: [[wp:Kanzi|Kanzi]] ([https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/speaking-bonobo-134931541/ 2nd article]), [[wp:Cholla_the_painting_horse|Cholla]], [[wp:Washoe_(chimpanzee)|Washoe]], [[wp:Alex_(parrot)|Alex]], [[wp:N%27kisi|N'kisi]], [[wp:Koko_(gorilla)|Koko]]. See also [[wp:Tool_use_by_animals|tool use by animals]].
*[https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/01/dogs-use-subway-cat-takes-bus-and-other-adventures-in-animal-intelligence/ How smart] [https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/when-meeting-up-at-sea-bottlenose-dolphins-exchange-name-like-whistles are] [https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/01/who-needs-words-crows-you-wild-gorillas-alison-krauss/ animals], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GOb3nFpewM really]? Their language use shouldn’t be underestimated, seeing as even prairie dogs seem to possess a highly-specific way to describe threats. Exceptional individuals: [[wp:Kanzi|Kanzi]] ([https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/speaking-bonobo-134931541/ 2nd article]), [[wp:Cholla (horse)|Cholla]], [[wp:Washoe_(chimpanzee)|Washoe]], [[wp:Alex_(parrot)|Alex]], [[wp:N%27kisi|N'kisi]], [[wp:Koko_(gorilla)|Koko]]. See also [[wp:Tool_use_by_animals|tool use by animals]].


*Dolphins play by making bubble rings, and whales can hunt using bubble nets. Green Herons [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Porp5v5lLKk use bait] to catch fish.
*Dolphins play by making bubble rings, and whales can hunt using bubble nets. Green Herons [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Porp5v5lLKk use bait] to catch fish.
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*Honey badgers are [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c36UNSoJenI surprisingly intelligent], able to use tools to navigate their environment (here's [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC0OJj3-YOI uninterrupted footage] of one of this badger's many escapes).
*Honey badgers are [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c36UNSoJenI surprisingly intelligent], able to use tools to navigate their environment (here's [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC0OJj3-YOI uninterrupted footage] of one of this badger's many escapes).


*See the [[wp:U.S._Navy_Marine_Mammal_Program|U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program]].
*See the [[wp:United States Navy Marine Mammal Program|U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program]].


*Scientific American: [http://archive.is/SEOjm Crows Show Off Social Skills] — A general review of bird intelligence, though it conspicuously leaves out New Caledonian crows.
*Scientific American: [http://archive.is/SEOjm Crows Show Off Social Skills] — A general review of bird intelligence, though it conspicuously leaves out New Caledonian crows.
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*[[wp:Somatic_evolution_in_cancer|Somatic evolution in cancer]].
*[[wp:Somatic_evolution_in_cancer|Somatic evolution in cancer]].


*[[wp:Satellite_cell|Satellite cell]].
*[[wp:Myosatellite cell|Satellite cell]].


*[[wp:Cellular_differentiation#Dedifferentiation|Cellular dedifferentiation]], [[wp:Transdifferentiation|transdifferentiation]], [[wp:Telomerase|telomerase]].
*[[wp:Cellular_differentiation#Dedifferentiation|Cellular dedifferentiation]], [[wp:Transdifferentiation|transdifferentiation]], [[wp:Telomerase|telomerase]].
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*[https://phys.org/news/2016-10-prion.html#nRlv Prions] are a likely candidate for how the Daodan works.
*[https://phys.org/news/2016-10-prion.html#nRlv Prions] are a likely candidate for how the Daodan works.


*[[wp:Microsatellite_(genetics)|Microsatellite (genetics)]].
*[[wp:Microsatellite|Microsatellite (genetics)]].


*The human microbiome contains 10,000 species, and about 100 times as many genes as “humans” themselves have (see [https://hmpdacc.org/ Human Microbiome Project], [https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/11/01/242361826/exploring-the-invisible-universe-that-lives-on-us-and-in-us/ NPR animation]).
*The human microbiome contains 10,000 species, and about 100 times as many genes as “humans” themselves have (see [https://hmpdacc.org/ Human Microbiome Project], [https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/11/01/242361826/exploring-the-invisible-universe-that-lives-on-us-and-in-us/ NPR animation]).
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*[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2633676/ Fetal microchimeric cells].
*[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2633676/ Fetal microchimeric cells].


*[[wp:Stimulus-triggered_acquisition_of_pluripotency_cell|STAP cells]] would have been maybe the most important genetic discovery ever if it weren’t a hoax! The suggestion that cells could become totipotent by simply being immersed in weak acid was eerily reminiscent of [[:Image:Chapter_12_.MISSION_COMPLETE.png|this]].
*[[wp:Stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency|STAP cells]] would have been maybe the most important genetic discovery ever if it weren’t a hoax! The suggestion that cells could become totipotent by simply being immersed in weak acid was eerily reminiscent of [[:Image:Chapter_12_.MISSION_COMPLETE.png|this]].


*[[wp:Tobacco_mosaic_virus|Tobacco mosaic virus]]: "Due to its cylindrical high aspect ratio, self-assembling nature, and ability to incorporate metal coatings (nickel and cobalt) into its shell, TMV is an ideal candidate to be incorporated into battery electrodes."
*[[wp:Tobacco_mosaic_virus|Tobacco mosaic virus]]: "Due to its cylindrical high aspect ratio, self-assembling nature, and ability to incorporate metal coatings (nickel and cobalt) into its shell, TMV is an ideal candidate to be incorporated into battery electrodes."


*Massive bio-concept dump: [[wp:Host_(biology)#Host_range|host range]], [[wp:Okazaki_fragments|Okazaki fragments]], [[wp:Mobilome|mobilome]], [[wp:Aggressive_mimicry|aggressive mimicry]], [[wp:Molecular_mimicry|molecular mimicry]], [[wp:Vector_(biology)|vector]], [[wp:RNA_interference|RNA interference]], [[wp:Viroids|viroids]], [[wp:Plasmids|plasmids]], [[wp:Rolling circle replication|rolling circles]], [[wp:Electroporation|electroporation]], [[wp:Replicon_(genetics)|replicons]], prions (see above), [[wp:Transposons|transposons]], [[wp:Red_Queen%27s_Hypothesis|Red Queen's Hypothesis]], [[wp:Millepora_alcicornis|Millepora alcicornis]].
*Massive bio-concept dump: [[wp:Host_(biology)#Host_range|host range]], [[wp:Okazaki_fragments|Okazaki fragments]], [[wp:Mobilome|mobilome]], [[wp:Aggressive_mimicry|aggressive mimicry]], [[wp:Molecular_mimicry|molecular mimicry]], [[wp:Vector#Biology|vector]], [[wp:RNA_interference|RNA interference]], [[wp:Viroid|viroids]], [[wp:Plasmid|plasmids]], [[wp:Rolling circle replication|rolling circles]], [[wp:Electroporation|electroporation]], [[wp:Replicon_(genetics)|replicons]], prions (see above), [[wp:Transposable element|transposons]], [[wp:Red Queen hypothesis|Red Queen's Hypothesis]], [[wp:Millepora_alcicornis|Millepora alcicornis]].


===Nature and origin===
===Nature and origin===
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*What will happen to upper trophic levels if the lowest trophic level is being replaced? Is it the opposite of a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvKCTZf_-e4 trophic cascade]?
*What will happen to upper trophic levels if the lowest trophic level is being replaced? Is it the opposite of a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvKCTZf_-e4 trophic cascade]?


*Would neo-Agriculture around the world lead to neo-[[wp:Center_of_origin|Vavilov Centers]]?
*Would neo-Agriculture around the world lead to neo-[[wp:Vavilov center|Vavilov Centers]]?


*Competition in the Wilderness might lead to weird patterns of life like [https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/01/all-over-the-globe-plants-are-growing-into-strange-circular-patterns/ fairy circles].
*Competition in the Wilderness might lead to weird patterns of life like [https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/01/all-over-the-globe-plants-are-growing-into-strange-circular-patterns/ fairy circles].
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