Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous plants are plants that capture, kill, and digest animal organisms. Like all plants, carnivorous plants are capable of photosynthesis. Since they usually live in areas where the soil quality is poor, they must supplement their diet with nutrients gained from digesting animals. Like other flowering plants, carnivorous plants use tricks to entice insects. These plants have developed specialized leaves that work to lure and then trap unsuspecting insects. Key Takeaways Carnivorous plants are plants that have the ability to eat animal organisms. These highly specialized plants are able to both lure and trap insects.The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is the most well known of the carnivorous plants. They live in wet areas such as bogs and swamps.Sundews are covered in tentacles. Their tentacles make a sticky dew-like substance that attracts insects.Bladderworts are plants that dont have roots and are often found in aquatic areas and in areas with wet soil. They capture insects via a trapdoor.Other examples of carnivorous plants include tropical pitcher plants and North American pitcher plants. There are several genera of carnivorous plants and hundreds of carnivorous plant species. Here are some of my favorite genera of carnivorous plants: Flytraps - Dionaea muscipula Dionaea muscipula, also known as the Venus flytrap, is probably the most well known of the carnivorous plants. Insects are lured into the mouth-like leaves by nectar. Once an insect enters the trap it touches tiny hairs on the leaves. This sends impulses through the plant triggering the leaves to close. Glands located in the leaves release enzymes that digest the prey and the nutrients are absorbed by the leaves. Flies, ants, and other bugs are not the only animals that the flytrap may snare. Frogs and other small vertebrates may sometimes become trapped by the plant as well. Venus flytraps live in wet, nutrient-poor environments, such as bogs, wet savannas, and swamps. Sundews - Drosera Sundew feeding on a green lacewing. Reinhard Dirscherl/WaterFrame/Getty Images Plus Species of plants from the genus Drosera are called Sundews. These plants live in wet biomes, including marshes, bogs, and swamps. Sundews are covered with tentacles that produce a sticky dew-like substance that glitters in the sunlight. Insects and other small creatures are attracted to the dew and become stuck when they land on the leaves. The tentacles then close around the insects and digestive enzymes break down the prey. Sundews typically capture flies, mosquitoes, moths, and spiders. Tropical Pitchers - Nepenthes Plant species from the genus Nepenthes are known as Tropical Pitcher plants or Monkey Cups. These plants are typically found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. The leaves of pitcher plants are brightly colored and shaped like pitchers. Insects are lured to the plant by the bright colors and nectar. The inside walls of the leaves are covered with waxy scales that make them very slippery. Insects may slip and fall to the bottom of the pitcher where the plant secretes digestive fluids. Large pitcher plants have been known to trap small frogs, snakes, and even birds. North American Pitchers - Sarracenia Species from the genus Sarracenia are called North American Pitcher plants. These plants inhabit grassy marshes, swamps, and other wetlands. The leaves of Sarracenia plants are also shaped like pitchers. Insects are lured to the plant by nectar and may slip from the edge of the leaves and fall to the bottom of the pitcher. In some species, the insects die when they drown in water that has accumulated at the bottom of the pitcher. They are then digested by enzymes that are released into the water. Bladderworts - Utricularia Utricularia australis (bladderwort). Paul Starosta/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images Plus Species of Utricularia are known as Bladderworts. The name comes from the tiny sacs, which resemble bladders, that are located on the stems and leaves. Bladderworts are rootless plants found in aquatic areas and in wet soil. These plants have a trapdoor mechanism for capturing prey. The sacs have a small membrane cover that acts as a door. Their oval shape creates a vacuum that sucks in tiny insects when they trigger hairs that are located around the door. Digestive enzymes are then released inside the sacs to digest the prey. Bladderworts consume aquatic invertebrates, water fleas, insect larvae, and even small fish. More About Carnivorous Plants For more information about carnivorous plants, take a look at the Carnivorous Plant Database and The Carnivorous Plant FAQ. Sources Reece, Jane B., and Neil A. Campbell. Campbell Biology. Benjamin Cummings, 2011.

Materialism Origins And Implications For Personal Well...

Materialism explains the extent to which an individual is preoccupied with purchasing and showing off physical possessions that are mostly non essential. Pieters examines the interrelationships between loneliness and three subtypes of materialism: acquisition centrality (where possessions enable hedonic pleasure seeking), possession-defined success (where possessions are a status symbol), and acquisition as the pursuit of happiness (where possessions are a material means to improving happiness). The study finds an inverse relationship between the latter two subtypes of materialism and loneliness, though the effect of loneliness on three subtypes was greater than was the effect of these on loneliness over time. Despite this seeking possessions for material possessions decreased loneliness and was unaffected by it. The study (Materialism: Origins and implications for personal well-being by Aaron Ahuvia, University of Michigan and Nancy Wong, University of Michigan) confirms the generally established negative relationships between life satisfaction and materialism. Research in future needs to investigate more closely the nature of this relationship between the two. Particularly we need to know if materialism causes unhappiness and if does then how. The current research does in this direction gives us some hints. Evidences from the Matval scale shows that those people who place the utmost value on material possessions are the least satisfied with this area in their life. ThisShow MoreRelatedMeasuring Consumers’ Luxury Value Perception: a Cross-Cultural Framework13193 Words   |  53 Pageswho may wish to measure the dimensions of individual luxury perception as a general basis for marketing strategies to improve purchase value for different segments of consumers that span the globe. The m odel illustrates that individual and social as well as financial and functional dimensions significantly impact the consumer‘s luxury value perception and consumption on an international level. As luxury is a subjective and multidimensional construct, a definition of the luxury concept should followRead MoreA Review and a Conceptual Framework of Prestige-Seeking Consumer Behavior9366 Words   |  38 Pagesarticle should be addressed to Professor Lester W. Johnson, Monash Mt. Eliza Business School, Monash University, PO Box 2224, Caulfield Jct., Victoria 3161, Australia. The authors thank the editor Morris B. Holbrook for his helpful suggestions, as well as three anonymous JCMR reviewers for their useful comments, on earlier versions of the manuscript. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This paper discusses the existing consumer knowledge dealing with aspects of prestige, and based on this literature, develops a

Christian Worldview and Multiculturalism Essay Example For Students

Christian Worldview and Multiculturalism Essay The Christian Worldview and Multiculralism Racial reconciliation should be a top priority for every Christian, of any race or cultural background. But will this demand for a multicultural center of learning produce a less prejudiced society? Multiculturalists insist on greater sensitivity towards, and increased inclusion of, racial minorities and women in society. Christians should endorse both of these goals. But many advocating multiculturalism go beyond these demands for sensitivity and inclusion; here is where Christians must be careful. One of the difficulties of accepting multiculturalists is that defining a multicultural society, or institution seems to be determined by ones perspective. A commonly held view suggests that being multicultural involves tolerance towards racial and ethnic minorities, mainly in the areas of dress, language, food, religious beliefs, and other cultural manifestations. An influential group calling itself NAME, or the National Association for Multicultural Education, includes in its philosophy statement the following: ;Xenophobia, discrimination, racism, classism, sexism, and homophobia are societal phenomena that are inconsistent with the principles of a democracy and lead to the counterproductive reasoning that differences are deficiencies.;(name). NAME is a powerful organization composed of educators from around the country, and it has considerable influence on how schools approach the issue of diversity on campus. The fundamental question that the folks at NAME need to answer is, ;Is it always counterproductive to reason that some differences might be deficiencies?;(name). In other words, isnt it possible that some of the characteristic s of specific culture groups are dangerous or morally unsound? It is not uncommon for advocates of multiculturalism like NAME to begin with the assumption that truth is culturally based. It is argued that a groups language dictates what ideas about God, human nature, and morality are permissible. While Americans may define reality using ideas from its Greek, Roman, Asian or African cultures see the world differently based on their traditions. Multiculturalists conclude that since multiple descriptions of reality exist, no one view can be true in any ultimate sense. Furthermore, since truth is a function of language, and all language is created by humans, all truth is created by humans. This view of truth and language has a spokesperson in Dr. Richard Rorty, humanities professor at the University of Virginia, who argues that truth that transcends culture is not available because ;where there are no sentences there is no truth, and sentences and their respective languages are human creations. ; (name). Next, if all truth is created by humans, it is all equally true. Cultural ideas or institutions, like human sacrifice or welfare systems, are equally valid if they are useful for a given group of people. In other words, we live in a universe that is blind to moral choices. We are the final judges of how we shall live. As Christians, we believe that ideas do have consequences. While being careful not to promote one set of cultural rules over others simply because we are comfortable with them, we acknowledge that Scripture reveals to us the character and nature of God, humankind, and our need for a savior. These truths can be communicated cross-culturally in a sensitive way, regardless of the people-group involved. If we didnt believe this to be true in a universal sense, then Christianity cant be true in any real way. In other words, in order to be what it claims to be, Christianity must transcend culture in a way that many multiculturalists argue cannot occur. In recent years, America has been attracting over one million immigrants annually. This has resulted in a country that is religiously, racially, and linguistically more diverse. Conflict arises, however, over the question of how our nations institutions should respond to this diversity. Until recently, it was argued that America was a melting pot society, that regardless of an immigrants origin, given a generation or two, his family would be assimilated into American culture. Multiculturalists have challenged both the reality and advisability of this view. Multiculturalists brand our culture as white, Western, male, Christian, middle-class and heterosexual. They declare that our schools have forced on students a curriculum that promotes only that perspective. The books they read, the ideas they consider, the moral and ethical standards they are taught, explicitly or implicitly, .

Social Male Behaviors On Sundays Essay Example For Students

Social Male Behaviors On Sundays Essay There are many misconceptions about Sundays and its effect on people. Im here to clear it up from the males perspective, and to show women how to deal with these behaviors. Many women believe that Sunday is a sacred day, a time to be together with the one you love most and go to church . This is true, but Sunday is also the time for sports, testosterone driven activities, and for males to hang out with the other males. Sundays seems to bring out a primal instinct inside us men that lays dormant through out the week. These instincts are brought out by the excitement of sports and the surrounding. So here are some insights into our behaviors, eating habits, and our rituals to let you understand us better during these times. One of the main rituals on Sundays is gathering of us male species at various places to be with others like us. One of the places the male species often go to are called bars. These places are like heaven to the male specie. I myself have had first hand experiences with these places. Last Sunday I decided to go to a local bar call Hooters with some of my buddies to observe these ritual behaviors for myself. Upon entering the bar, I knew that it was truly a place for us males to hang out. The walls were filled with sport memorabilia, and on all twelve television sets where either football games or other sport related things. Another thing that made it a true guys hang out were the good food and the waitresses. All of the waitresses were all shaped nicely, wearing provocative clothing which made them truly candy for the eyes. Another one of these places that we male species like to socialize is their own dwellings or anothers. When the male specie hang out they dont like to do it alone , and so others males would join in on the fun. There are also requirements in order for the visiting males to be included in this ritual; they must present a Gift of Flavor upon the visit. Although we male species will consume almost anything that might be digestible on most days, Sundays on the other hand we male species will follow a strict diet. The diet states that, only food products that contain either great amount of salt, cheese, meat, or sugar may be consumed. Also that each serving of these foods must contain no less than 2 grams of fat, otherwise the food is considered sacrileges. Also the most essential part of these rituals are alcoholic beverages, because it seems that alcohol brings out theses primal instincts even more, therefore bonding them even better. In very few cases, sometimes the opposite sex has been known to attend these strictly male rituals. The female species who attend these rituals are there to present a more heterosexual atmosphere to the gathering. So please dont try to invite yourself, if we want you to come we will invite you. At these places males are very loud and obnoxious High fives, hand shakes and group chants are a common sight at these places. But there is a mutual respect among us on Sundays; we dont do things that will upset other males, at least not on purpose. No one goes out to these gatherings to look for trouble, because all males believe that Sundays are a time for peace. Sometimes fights do break out between males, but these incidents are very few. Those who break this unwritten code are banned from such rituals for how ever long it is requiredOther strange behaviors that Sundays tend to bring out in the male species are the overwhelming urge to fix everything he owns. This urge can be both helpful and harmful depending on the subject. Helpful because things males own will get fix, but harmful because this urge also come out in males that doesnt have a clue on how to fix anything. This urge emerges because of the male species need to feel needed and masculine. Males believe that in order t o truly be a man he must be able to do thing that the opposite can not do, mainly fix things and hard labor. This behavior is often accompanied by alcohol as well; it also has the purpose of letting the male species concentrate and have fun. So just let us fix our things even if it doesnt need to be fixed, it would help our self-esteem. .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894 , .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894 .postImageUrl , .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894 , .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894:hover , .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894:visited , .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894:active { border:0!important; } .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894:active , .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894 .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u2d2c6388336d397975b38f19b7538894:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Baseball Vs. Football EssayBut some males of the specie can get the total opposite sex of this behavior, and is often referred to as sloth. This behavior often causes late sleeping, for that day the male species are able to slumber for hours beyond his usual time of waking up. But this chronic sleep always seems to be canceled by the males inner clock when he senses the pre-game show is about to start. It doesnt stop there. Even though they have awakened for their slumber, we are still in a trance like state of mind. The ones that go through this trance have been know to sit or lay motionless for hours watching nothing but sports and pointless infomercials on television. W e only move when it is an extremely necessary situations, like in a life or death situation, call of nature, lack of nourishment, or commercials. But dont think that when we are moving that we will do anything else except for the extreme situations. But also, do not mistake our inactivity for unawareness. Even though it seems like our minds seem like they are blanked we can sense all that is around us the entire time. We just dont want to talk to you. So just let it be. Some males are not like this at all. They retain their sanity through out the entire week, because they have a disorder that is often referred to as P.W syndrome. You can spot these males easily; theyre often seen at local malls on Sundays accompanying the opposite sex during their shopping. Another tells tale sign of P.W Syndrome is the answering of every womans commands with yes followed bye a stupid pet name. If you have a man like this, you can do better. There are no definite set times when all these primal instincts will go away but there are time frames when these behaviors will start to decrease. People have noticed that they start to decrease after the last post game show on television had ended and football too is gone for the day. But some scientists believe that availability of alcohol plays a major part in the decrease, because the party is over when the drinks are gone. The only way that you can make it easier on you during these times is to just go with the flow. Be lazy too or fix things, by doing this you will notice that the time will fly by. Or you can pick up our hobbies, like football, drinking beer and hot wings. Because if we see that youre cool we will invite you to our gatherings. But if think that doing these are not for you, you can just stay the hell away from us. Go to your parents house, girl friends, or siblings and do your feminine activities. We wont interfere with your rituals. But please understand its not our fault, we dont do this because we want to, it just that it is part of being a man. And I hope in reading this you have learned and understand more about the men in your life. And that its up to you to decide how it will affect you.