Are there really dead wasps inside figs?
There’s been a lot of conversation online recently about whether figs contain wasp corpses, which would make them neither vegetarian…
Category: Biology
What is evolution?
This question was asked by Elizabeth via Facebook. I’ve talked about evolution before when discussing questions like ‘Who was the first…
Do snakes poo?
This question was asked by Alexei from West Sussex, UK There are around 3000 different species of snakes in the…
What’s the difference between male and female?
On the face of it this seems like a really easy question to answer but when you look at it…
What is the placebo effect?
Put simply, a placebo is something that seems to be a medical treatment but isn’t. Sugar pills are one of…
Why can’t astronauts have fizzy drinks in space?
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) generally drink water but thanks to the NASA Isspresso machine they can also have hot…
What is coral bleaching?
Coral is made of many tiny organisms called polyps. These soft-bodied animals are related to jellyfish and sea anemones and…
Does sugar make children hyperactive?
It’s accepted wisdom that consuming too much sugar will make children hyperactive, and many parents will tell you of occasions…
What are genetically modified organisms?
The phrase ‘genetically modified organisms’ is used to refer to anything living that has had its genes altered in some…
How do painkillers work?
When you injure yourself you feel pain. Imagine you’ve touched something hot and burned your hand – the damaged cells…