Studying for second Bio exam:
1. Did flight evolve because previously flightless animals fell out of trees? Or because previously flightless animals were jumping to catch insects in an "insect net" above the ground? These are two of the more popular theories on the evolution of flight. If only all of biology were this accessible...and this ridiculous.

2. Animals that have evolved to undertake most of their digestive processes in a hindgut often end up practicing coprophagy (eating of one's own feces) because the digestive process leaves lots of tasty bits intact.

3. Animals select the destination of nutrients. For example, red fish will allocate carotenoids to making themselves more red. Blue fish will use the same material to boost their immune systems.

4. Certain moths will emit a series of clicks to warn the bats that want to eat them that they are not tasty (or even poisonous). Isn't that sweet?

5. For many years, scientists have assumed that animals developed legs in order to crawl up on land from the water. Recently, newly discovered fossil evidence suggests that fish developed legs many millions of years before they made the transition to land. They might have used these legs to propel themselves to the surface of the water in order to breathe oxygen.

I am studying for bio in hopes that I will improve upon my abysmal average. Taking a science class has been extremely humbling for me and I am trying not to let my inadequacy in this subject pollute my success in other academic areas. It's tough. I feel like a failure!