An Ocean Mystery In The Trillions Analysis

The article, An Ocean Mystery in the Trillions by William J. Broadjune is about information regarding a family of fish named bristle mouths. Divers have discovered the existence of this family of fish as early as 1872, living in deep ocean depths during a sea expedition. The author discusses their unique characteristics such as its ability to change its gender, “bristle like teeth”, and a strategy called counter-illumination that they use to protect themselves from predators. All the fish’s features are essential to their survival from both predators and the environment. Furthermore, there is a large amount of evidence supporting the fact that it is the most found vertebrate on the planet with a possible population of thousands of trillions. Many sea expeditions over the years have been able to confirm their large population. However, questions were raised when scientists solved the mystery of the Deep Scattering Layer during the Cold War for military purposes. The layer was composed of a large amount of sea creatures that caused sonars to determine the area as the seabed. When scientists looked further into what type of sea

creatures it was composed of there was a lack of bristle mouths that led the idea that this family was not the most populous vertebrate on Earth. These suspicions ended as new research using modern technology confirmed them as being the most abundant fish on Earth to the extent of what humans already discovered in the ocean. In summary, the article discusses the family’s story of discovery and being named the most ample vertebrate in the world.

Phenomenon- a natural event that of existence and origin is unanswered
Denizens- inhabitant of a distinct area
Bioluminescent- an organism’s ability to create its own light

The most interesting part of the article was the section discussing all the unique characteristics of the fish and the explanation of why they are all important to its survival. In addition, the mention of Deep Scattering Layer that tied together information about bristle mouths to crucial research conducted during the Cold War made the article more engaging.

Has there been similar species of fish been found with similar characteristics and lived as long as bristle mouths? Why is the bristle mouth’s swimming path very “unfishlike”? How likely is it that exists a species that is more populous than bristle mouth? How can scientists more accurately determine the population of bristle mouths?

The author of DNA Deciphers Roots of Modern Europeans, Carl Zimmer discuses how two research groups from University of Copenhagen and Harvard University have discovered DNA regarding the ancestry of Europeans. Using skeletons found across the continent, the researchers determined that there were three major waves of people entering Europe first hunter-gatherers, next farmers, and finally nomadic sheepherders called the Yamnaya. The first group entered Europe 45,000 years ago, the second group 8,000 years ago and the last group came as early as 4,500 years ago. After sometime these groups started combine, DNA indicating genes from the first two different groups being found in individuals. Later on, Yamnaya DNA came up that is still found in Europeans today and helped fuel the debate that they brought the Indo-European language to Europe. In summary, these DNA discoveries led to new theories being created over the history of Europeans and their languages.

Nomadic- people that move place to place and have no permanent home
Linguists- an individual that studies language through scientific methods
Manuscripts- written or typed document

My favorite part of the article was the way the author explained how the different groups integrated with each other, which he explained in a way that made sense. In addition, the overall concept of using the DNA off of thousand-year-old skeletons to trace back the origins of the European language is fascinating.

What are other possible types of evidence that can be used to support the theories stated in the article? What was the reason for the Yamnaya people migrating over four thousand miles from their original home? Are there other theories surrounding how the Indo-European language came to be than the ones stated?

The article, Neuron responsible for alcoholism found discusses how scientists from Texas A&M University were able to determine that alcohol physically affects the neurons located in our brain.

The author explains the fact that neurons have “one of two types of dopamine receptors, D1 or D2.” As said in the article D1 neurons send the brain the signal to keep going which in this case is to keep drinking alcohol. D2 neurons send the opposite signal when triggered. Research states that D1 neurons are what causes addiction and when more amounts of alcohol are being drunk that people are more exposed to alcoholism. Scientists hope to use this research to find more effective solutions to treat different addictions. In summary, scientists have discovered what is inside the brain that causes addiction to solve a problem that many people face

today.

Neurons- Cells part of the brain that are responsible for transporting information through out the human body
Grant- Funds given by a group or a institute that are to be used to provide for research costs
Neuroscience- the study of the nervous system in both a physical aspect (structure) and physiological (function of it in the human body)

The most interesting part of the article was the explanation of how D1 neurons are responsible for causing alcoholism. The way the researchers conducted experiments to test and conclude this fact was well explained and easy to understand due to the writing of the author.

How much more research must be done to begin the process of making drug to stop alcoholism public? Is there a possible negative risk to the brain by creating a drug that partly stops the D1 neurons from activating? Will the researchers soon test the drug that partially blocks D1 on humans?