Biology
Exploring "Why" questions about Biology
483 articles
Why does it take weeks (or months) to receive results from multiple choice exams when everything is corrected and generated by machines?
I would imagine they have tens of thousands of sheets to mark. Then keying in marks, typing out certificates, etc for some exams. I've been waiting on my UNSW ICAS results for MONTHS.
Why computers can’t generate random numbers
Computers can't generate random numbers, because they have no source of randomness. Everything is completely predetermined by the algorithm you gave the computer. It does EXACTLY what you told it to.
Why is the protein folded in a prion and why does that make it dangerous?
Like Goosegoosepress said - almost all proteins are folded, which gives the protein a specific purpose or function. A prion is like a rebel without a cause protein. A prion will take other proteins, a
Why can’t we splice the genes from plants for chlorophyll into humans and then we’d never need to eat again?
Compared to how much we use, the amount of sunlight hitting our skin doesn't actually contain all that much energy. Even assuming 100% efficiency (the theoretical maximum energy capture efficiency for
Why does prion disease only affect mammals, and the majority of the time, mammals of the same species?
You need similar proteins to be susceptible to prion diseases. They cause a protein to mis-fold in a chain reaction that causes sticky aggregates of mis-folded proteins. If the prion does not have a s
Why is it that people of Asian descent look as if they do not have eyelids? Was there an evolutionary trait that was evolved for them to be formed that way?
We don't know for sure, but one hypothesis is sexual selection. Sexual selection is when some individuals have more offspring simply because the opposite sex likes a trait they have better (in this ca
Why is the 3.5″ floppy disk still being used as the Save icon in programs? Hasn’t an entire generation now been raised that has never seen, used or had knowledge of a floppy disk?
That same entire generation you speak of has been raised with the knowledge that a floppy disk icon = save. Plus if you intend to change universally accepted icons or practices for that matter you wil
Why does it seem you either believe in creationism or evolution?
Creationism is the belief that all types of living organisms were created as they are right now by God. Evolution is the observable idea of small discrepancies in which individual leaves more survivin
Why are people against the activation of telomerase in human cells?
Normally cells are supposed to die after they replicate a certain number of times. Telomerase allows those cells to avoid that type of death. When a cell doesn't respond to signals to die and keeps gr
Why are crimes of passion generally received with less criticism and therefore, lesser sentences?
Well because our society sees premeditating a crime as worse than acting spur of the moment. This is because if you plan a crime out, you have ample time to consider the "right vs wrong" and stop goin