Ava Chiang
1/24/20
AP Biology
Current Event 17
Queen Mary University of London. "Bumble bees can experience an object using one sense and later recognize it using another." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 February 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200220141742.htm>.
The article “Bumble bees can experience an object using one sense and later recognize it using another” published by Queen Mary University of London is about how bees are able to “recognise objects across different senses.” This ability is called cross-model recognition and it is a revelation because scientists have previously not anticipated this ability being present due to the small brains bees possess. Professor Lars Chittka, head of the lab at Queen Mary University of London, said that “ bees can conjure up mental images of shapes.” She and Dr Cwyn Solvi, as well as other researchers, conducted an experiment where bees learned to find quinine and sugar-water on different shapes in the light but were unable to touch them. Then, when released in the dark, the bees went straight for the objects they knew had the sugar-water. They have learned to find things they learned from sight by using touch.
Right now one of the biggest social movements in the US is lifestyle-veganism which preaches that humans should not use animal products or animal related products in their life. The results of this study shows that contrary to expectations, bees have complex brain activities. They are also similar to humans in that they have cross-model recognition, which shows that humans and insects like bees have a mental similarity. The results from this lab showing this connection may help convince more people that life on Earth is not that different from each other. Bees are also one of the animal species that are most impacted by industrialization and pollution, with circumstances including entire colonies being drugged and their honey taken, and pesticide killing them.
Overall, this article was an interesting read with a unique topic that is worth exploring. I enjoyed how the author included a lot of quotes from the head researchers; this adds authenticity and mixes up the reading process to make it less stagnant. However, I wished the article talked more about the relevance and importance of the study and how that would impact the world. For example, how might this help conservation efforts of certain species of bees? The article only mentioned trivial facts such as how cross-model recognition is impressive in bees because of their small brains but I’m sure there are other areas to explore as well.
Amanda Troy
ReplyDeleteAP Biology
3/3/20
Current Event 18
Queen Mary University of London. "Bumble bees can experience an object using one sense and later recognize it using another." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 February 2020. .
https://bronxvilleapbiology.blogspot.com/2020/02/bumble-bees-can-experience-object-using.html
For this current event, I am commenting on Ava Chiang’s review of the article, “Bumble bees can experience an object using one sense and later recognize it using another" from the Queen Mary University of London. First, Ava notes how this article discusses the new way of thinking bees possess and why this is a revelation to science. The bee’s thinking ability is called cross-model recognition and scientists have previously not anticipated this ability being present due to the small brains bees possess. Next, Ava discusses the experiment that scientists performed in order to come to their conclusion. Researchers found that the bees have learned to find things they learned from sight by using touch. Lastly, Ava talks about why this study is relevant to our society, as a big social movement of today is veganism. The results of this study shows that contrary to expectations, bees have complex brain activities.
While Ava wrote a very good review, there is room for improvement. For one, it would have been good if Ava incorporated more quotes in order to create a more professional review. Additionally, Ava could have gone into more depth when describing the experiment. However, I think Ava did a really great job reviewing this fascinating article.
I chose to review this article because I am always eager to learn more about the world around us. I think that it is so fascinating how such small creatures can possess such complex brain systems. The results from this lab may help convince more people that life on Earth is not that different among species, because in many ways, bees are similar to humans. I also appreciate how this article makes people aware of the industrialization and pollution that are drugging bee colonies, taking their honey, killing them.