Archive for March 2012
A decomposer, also known as a saprobe, is a creature or organism that breaks down organic matter such as dead animals and plant materials. Some commonly recognized decomposers are earth worms, fungi such as mushrooms and bacteria. Insects such as ants, wasps and cockroaches also take part in the decomposition of organic material, but are classified as scavengers. This is due to the fact that their waste materials are broken down by decomposers. Decomposers are an important part of any ecosystem. They have a necessary function that contributes to the ongoing growth and survival of the ecosystem. Why are they important? Read below to find out.
Jupiter is the largest of the eight planets in the solar system and is the fifth planet from the sun. It is a gas giant and is one of the four planets that forms the Jovian (outer) planets. When seen from Earth, Jupiter is the third brightest object in the night sky after the moon and Venus. Jupiter is mainly made up of hydrogen and some helium. It has a rocky core of heavy elements and has red, brown, white and orange bands. Here are some other interesting facts about the planet Jupiter.
Aspirin is a drug that is commonly used to reduce fever and to relieve aches and pains. It is also often used as an anti-inflammatory drug for those suffering from conditions such as arthritis. Aspirin is in many cases prescribed to those with heart conditions as it is known to thin the blood and prevent damage to cardiac tissue. Aspirin can be purchased over the counter without a prescription and an estimated 40,000 tonnes of aspirin is used around the world each year. So, is this commonly used medication safe for children? Read this article to find out.
Juicy Couture is a fashion label best known for their clothing, accessories and perfumes. The best known product in the Juicy Couture line is their signature velour tracksuits. The label is sold in stores owned by the company as well as in many upmarket department stores such as Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. Their products are widely regarded as high-end with a more affordable price. Most of their products are marketed at girls and women from the ages of 10-26, but they have also branched out into clothes and accessories for men, babies and pets. If you have ever wondered who founded this popular fashion label, keep reading to find out.
American Pie is a popular folk rock song that made it to the number 1 position in the United States, where it stayed for four weeks in 1972. The song is famous for the somewhat cryptic lyrics that are thought to be related to a light plane crash that killed rock and roll artists Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P. Richardson (“The Big Bopper”). This event was referred to in the song as “The Day the Music Died” and this term has been widely used for the crash since the release of the song. If you have ever wondered who sang this popular song, keep reading to find out.
Cats are the most popular domesticated pet in the world. They make a popular pets because they provide good companionship, are relatively easy to care for and they will often hunt household pests. It is believed they were domesticated in Egypt and are believed to have lived with humans for over 9,000 years. There are many breeds of cat, including many crossbreeds, but there are 41 breeds that are recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (largest registry of pedigree cats). Most of these recognized breeds have a distinctive set of whiskers. If you have ever wondered what purpose these serve, continue reading to find out.
Titanium is a strong silvery metal that was discovered in 1791. Titanium is a chemical element that is represented by the chemical symbol Ti and the atomic number 22. It is the seventh most abundant metal in the crust of the Earth where it is always found bonded to other elements. This natural titanium is comprised of 5 stable isotopes. However, there are many more isotopes of titanium that have been identified.
Cuba Gooding Jr. is a celebrity actor who was born into a family in the entertainment industry (his parents were both singers). After graduating, he studied martial arts and eventually moved into the acting industry. His early work consisted mostly of small roles for television and film. His first major role came in 1991 with the surprise box office hit “Boyz n the Hood.” This led to more important roles in the early 90’s and the highlight of his career came in 1996 when he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The following is a list of movies that Cuba Gooding Jr. has acted in during his career so far.
Africa is the second largest continent on Earth. It is located to the west of Asia and the south of Europe. It is comprised of 54 countries and 11 territories. The continent is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Suez Canal and the Red Sea to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The continent of Africa also includes the island of Madagascar and a number of other smaller archipelagos. Africa is the second most populated place on the planet and is home to more than 1 billion people. So what is the largest country in Africa? Read on to find out.
Platinum is a chemical element with an atomic number of 78 and the chemical symbol of Pt. It is a dense, pliable, precious metal with a gray-silver luster. Platinum is one of the rarest elements in the Earth’s crust and is mostly mined in South Africa. Platinum usually contains some nickel and copper ores and is generally non-reactive. It is corrosion resistant even at high temperatures and is considered to be a noble metal. Platinum has many uses in the modern world. Let’s examine some of those used in this article.