Googly-Eyed Fishes - Seemingly Crazy Biology, Part 2

Great Googly Moogly!*

I'll be honest. I don't know where to start. This organism, the "googly-eyed" fish, more properly known as a barreleye fish (Opisthoproctus soleatus)**, is some kind of amazing. Those things you think are eyes? Nope, that's their nostrils. Those green globs in the "cockpit" of its head? Those are the eyes.

From Understanding Evolution

It's even better when you see it in motion:

If you're not amazed by biology at this point. Check your pulse!









*I loved this commercial when I was young just for that one line at the end.
**Since we're getting into taxonomy, I thought you'd like to know it's in the order Protacanthopterygii. Yep, it sounds just like it's spelled. No, it won't be on the test.

Programmed Cell Death - Seemingly Crazy Biology, Part 1

Source: How Stuff Works

Programmed cell death. Sounds crazy, huh? Why would a cell want to die on purpose or commit "suicide?" Although this week we'll be focusing on cell growth and division it's also important to talk about one of the reasons why cells need to grow and divide and create more cells. Not only are cells constantly growing and dividing, but cells are also constantly dying. These cells need to be replaced.

Here's some more food for thought.* As we humans figure out ways to live longer lives we also increase our chances of getting cancer. Our cells are living longer than usual and after awhile errors can start to occur or pile up. One of those errors could lead to cancer...

* nom nom nom