"[Our philosopher] asserted that he knew the whole secret...[H]e surveyed the two celestial strangers from top to toe, and mantained to their faces that their persons, their worlds, their suns and their stars, were created solely for the use of man. At this assertion our two travelers let themselves fall against each other, seized with a fit of...inextinguishable laughter"
-- Voltaire (1752)
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Hello all. My name is Luu. This is a science blog, on a microscopic and astronomical scale (and a combination of both--extraterrestrials!). I'm biology student, pretty much in love with the universe.
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The stinging cells, also called nematocytes or Cnidozyten are a special type of cell that is found exclusively in the cnidarians (Cnidaria). These cells embed in the outer layer (epidermis) of animals in order to catch prey or to defend against enemies or competitors. If irritated, stinging tube is ejected, and often a potent venom is injected into the victim. They usually only irritate the skin in human and cause lighter burns and poisons. However, the nettle of some species are so effective that it can collapse the entire cardiovascular system, which can lead to death.
(Google) Translated from Wikipedia. Courtesy of Daniel Mathys.
Peacock mite
A micrograph of a peacock mite (Tuckerella sp.) on a tea stem, taken by a low-temperature scanning electron microscope at 260X magnification. The peacock mites, an important pest on citrus in the tropics, are so named because of the elaborate ornamentations adorning the dorsal surface of their bodies. They possess five to seven pairs of whip-like setae which are used to defend themselves against predators. They may also help in wind-borne dispersal.
NIGHTNIGHT by DEDDY
