One of the problems with humans today is that we live in a very busy society. We are always dashing here and there to get to the next activity, sport practice, music rehearsal, acting debut. We don't take time to look at the world around us. Someone slowed down enough to ask the question, "How can we look at all these tiny things around us?" And they developed the electron microscope. This microscope uses a beam of excited, speeding electrons (yes, those tiny charges in the outer shell of an atom), to light up the smallest objects. Special digital cameras are attached to the scope and they capture the most amazing pictures we have seen this far in our technological haven. Why would we want to do this? Because there are tiny ecosystems that surround us and most of us haven't a clue, or even a notion in our heads, that they exist. Take a look: White blood cells in the human body attacking a parasitic worm. A single celled protist. Caterpillar head. Earwig washing his face. The face of an unidentified moth. The Boll Weevil. Pretty sure I swept some of these off of my front porch. So cute! The head of a baby praying mantis. Everyone has one of these beauties at home...it's a carpet beetle. Tree cricket. I love the little "hands" that help him get food into his mouth. Red Ant! No wonder they sting when they bite! Look at those chompers! Beautiful dragonfly... A mosquito. Can't wait for them to come out...said no one ever! Brown and black wasp...ew! Green fly.
These close ups are enchanting and creepy at the same time. They show us a "world" that is equally as amazing as the one we know. Creatures are all around us, they have their jobs to do and they work to keep the planet healthy.
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Mrs. TaylorI love science! Everything about the world is interesting and never boring. I love to study plants, animals, insects, and people. My favorite subjects are my students who are the most unique organisms on the planet! Categories |