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World of Biology

Read about research projects being conducted at Arizona State University. Many of the articles you find on this page are written by graduate students in the life sciences departments. The list is always growing so be sure to come back and visit often.

Hardy Gilas

Written by: Karla Moeller

The desert is a tough place to live – food may be tough to find, rain only comes in certain seasons, and the temperatures can be hard to handle. How does one special lizard, the Gila monster, deal with these difficulties?

He Ain't Tasty He's My Brother

Written by: Steve Koppes

While cannibalism is fairly common among insects and crustaceans, most backboned animals avoid feeding on their own kind.

How Do Beetles Reproduce?

Written by: Jenny Drnevich

Every living thing must be able to reproduce and make offspring. Most of us are familiar with how humans and mammals make babies, but do all creatures reproduce in the same way? Do insects, like the beetle, give birth to little insects?
Also in: Français | Español

How Do We Hear?

Written by: Emily Venskytis

Whether a friend whispers in your ear, or you hear a jet flying high in the sky, sound is all around you. But how does a tiny sound wave change from waves in the air to sounds or sentences that we can understand?
Also in: Français | Español

How Do We See?

Written by: Page Baluch, Ashleigh Gonzales

Have you ever wondered how an image is seen by your eyes, and how your eyes can tell your brain what they are seeing? Learn all about how your eyes and brain work together to show you the world.
Also in: Español | Français

How Do We Sense Smell?

Written by: Pierce Hutton, Megan Turnidge

Humans use smell more than you might think. It helps us find food and tell if it is edible, helps us avoid some dangerous situations, and even helps us taste. This story explores how smell works.
Also in: Español | Français

How Do We Sense Taste?

Written by: Shelley Valle

Humans think about food... A LOT. Our mouths might water thinking about the taste of pizza or a big salad or our favorite fruits. But how, exactly, does taste work?
Also in: Français

How Do We Sense Touch?

Written by: Patrick McGurrin

Humans interact with their environment using their sense of touch. This story explores how touch works.

Also in: Español | Français

How to Find What You Need on the Internet

Written by: CJ Kazilek

Searching for things on the Internet can be like hunting for a needle in a large haystack. Just how large is the Internet?

Hummingbirds

Written by: Stephanie Bittner

When you think of hummingbirds, you may think about how they can fly in almost any direction. But there is a lot more to these acrobatic birds than meets the eye.
Also in: Deutsch | Türk

What Causes Optical Illusions?

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