Life Sciences Commons^™

Double Mutant Analysis Of Headless And Head Only In The Wasp Nasonia Vitripennis., Amy Maule

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Nasonia vitripennis is a relatively new model organism in the field of developmental genetics. It is a small, solitary, parasitic Hymenopteran found throughout the world. Recent research on Nasonia has primarily dealt with its mode of sex determination, and the reproductive isolation of species of Nasonia by a parasitic bacteria, Wolbachia (Werren 94). Like many Hymenopterans, Nasonia uses the haplo-diploid method of sex determination. In haplo-diploid organisms, fertilized eggs produce diploid females while unfertilized eggs produce haploid males. The system is a bit of a mystery, as it is possible to obtain fertile diploid males by setting triploid females unmated. …

Mechanisms And Applications Of Enzymatic Thermostability, Julia Whitford

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Imagine a hot summer day. What happens when the temperature climbs to a point above 100° F (38° C)? Depending on the place and the typical weather found in that location, reactions vary. Ice cream sales will probably go up. People may curse global warming as they seek shade. Others will head for the beach or community pool. Most forms of life, including human beings, aren't accustomed to that level of heat.

One special group of microorganisms, however, would find 100° F heat downright chilly. They are far more comfortable in temperatures nearly three times as warm as the hottest …