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Oni2:Slaves of War/Neo-Biology: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 17:20, 13 October 2011
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Plants are supposed to be autotrophic, meaning that they manufacture their own food (unlike animals). The key to autotrophism is photosynthesis. However, some plants have decided to take a detour off of Photosynthesis Road and into Parasite Alley. They use a special root known as a [[wikipedia:haustorium|haustorium]]. Rather than pulling nutrients from the ground, this root pulls nutrients directly from another plant. It works by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hyaloperonospora-parasitica-hyphae-haustoria.jpg winding into the host plant's cellular structure] and sucking on cytoplasm. Eventually they can expand from inside of the host, replacing it with the parasite's body. Haustoria are traditionally used by fungi like mildew, putting parasitic plants in a strange middle ground between their autotrophic brethren and the separate Kingdom Fungi. | Plants are supposed to be autotrophic, meaning that they manufacture their own food (unlike animals). The key to autotrophism is photosynthesis. However, some plants have decided to take a detour off of Photosynthesis Road and into Parasite Alley. They use a special root known as a [[wikipedia:haustorium|haustorium]]. Rather than pulling nutrients from the ground, this root pulls nutrients directly from another plant. It works by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hyaloperonospora-parasitica-hyphae-haustoria.jpg winding into the host plant's cellular structure] and sucking on cytoplasm. Eventually they can expand from inside of the host, replacing it with the parasite's body. Haustoria are traditionally used by fungi like mildew, putting parasitic plants in a strange middle ground between their autotrophic brethren and the separate Kingdom Fungi. | ||
== | ==Non-Plant Parasites== | ||
Parasitic behavior may be relevant to the workings of the Daodan or the Wilderness. Let's take a broader look at this mechanism. | Parasitic behavior may be relevant to the workings of the Daodan or some plants in the Wilderness. Let's take a broader look at this mechanism. | ||
===Fungi=== | ===Fungi=== | ||
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===Insects=== | ===Insects=== | ||
*The [[wikipedia:Emerald cockroach wasp|emerald cockroach wasp]] finds a cockroach and stings it in the precise thoracic ganglion which controls the roach's front legs. This allows the wasp to then sting the roach in its brain. The venom it injects disables only the roach's escape reflexes (not altering abilities like flight or flipping over). The wasp then chews off half of each antenna, possibly to allow it to regulate the amount of venom in the roach so it stays alive but under control. The wasp then leads the roach by | *The [[wikipedia:Emerald cockroach wasp|emerald cockroach wasp]] finds a cockroach and stings it in the precise thoracic ganglion which controls the roach's front legs. This allows the wasp to then sting the roach in its brain. The venom it injects disables only the roach's escape reflexes (not altering abilities like flight or flipping over). The wasp then chews off half of each antenna, possibly to allow it to regulate the amount of venom in the roach so it stays alive but under control. The wasp then leads the roach by an antenna to the wasp's burrow, lays an egg on it, and closes the burrow's entrance so nothing can prey on the roach, which is incredibly complacent about all of this thanks to the venom. Over the course of a few days, the wasp larva is born and feasts on the living roach. | ||
*[[wikipedia:Glyptapanteles|Glyptapanteles]] is another amazingly specific wasp parasite. It infects a caterpillar, which hosts its eggs until they are ready to emerge and pupate. The caterpillar then ''guards the eggs'' until it starves to death. [http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchFirstRepresentation.action?uri=info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0002276.s001 Don't believe me?] | *[[wikipedia:Glyptapanteles|Glyptapanteles]] is another amazingly specific wasp parasite. It infects a caterpillar, which hosts its eggs until they are ready to emerge and pupate. The caterpillar then ''guards the eggs'' until it starves to death. [http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchFirstRepresentation.action?uri=info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0002276.s001 Don't believe me?] | ||
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===Other animals=== | ===Other animals=== | ||
*This one is pretty gross but very fascinating. The [[wikipedia: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 [[wikipedia: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 | *This one is pretty gross but very fascinating. The [[wikipedia: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 [[wikipedia: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. | ||
*[[wikipedia: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. | *[[wikipedia: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. | ||
:Because many people own cats, scientists estimate that up to a third of the world's people may be infected. This is rather interesting, as | :Because many people own cats, scientists estimate that up to a third of the world's people may be infected with toxoplasma. This is rather interesting, as toxoplasmosis is linked to auto accidents (through slowed reflexes), and miscarriages. It may be partially responsible for [http://scienceblogs.com/loom/2006/08/01/a_nation_of_cowards_blame_the.php differing social psychologies] around the world. It also may or may not be a cause of brain cancer and schizophrenia. Don't panic, it's not too hard [[wikipedia:Toxoplasmosis#Pregnancy_precautions|to avoid infection]]; just clean the litter box every day, wash your hands after, and keep your cat inside so it can't eat rats! This public service announcement brought to you by your friendly neighborhood wiki. | ||
==To Develop== | ==To Develop== | ||