Ted Talk Project

attribution: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/edith_widder_glowing_life_in_an_underwater_world.html

Biography:
Edith Widder is the CEO,President and Senior Scientist of The Ocean Research & Conservation Association. This organization was founded in 2005. She sparked an interest in the marine world at the age of 11, when she went to Fiji with her parents. Her greatest interest in the marine world is bioluminescence. To help her, she has developed special instruments that can measure and record light. She has a PH.D. in neurobiology,an M.N. in Biochemistry and a B.S. in biology. Besides studying marine biology, she enjoys roller bladding and biking. She also loves to cook and kayak.She has many accomplishments. She is the co-holder of the patent on the instrument that the U.S. Navy considers the standard for measuring bioluminescence in the world's oceans. She has published over 75 peer reviewed scientific papers and participated in over 65 research expeditions. In 2005, she was also inducted into Women Diver's Hall of Fame and was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2006.She has led a very successful life.

attributions: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/oceanage/04widder/welcome.html

Vocabulary

Bioluminescence- the production of light by living organisms
Luciferase-an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin
Luciferin-a pigment occurring in luminescent organisms, as fireflies, that emits light when undergoing oxidation.
Plankton-the aggregate of passively floating, drifting, or somewhat motile organisms occurring in a body of water, primarily comprising microscopic algae and protozoa.
Siphonophores-any pelagic hydrozoan of the order Siphonophora, being a floating or swimming colony composed of polyps.
Atolla Wyvillei-Deep Sea Jellyfish

Abstract

Edith Widder is a marine biologist who is best known for her work with bioluminescence. Widder is especially known for making special equipment in order to better understand and study bioluminescence. In her video, she explains the wonders of bioluminescence in the marine world. She explains how bioluminescence works in the marine world and gives a little incite on the biochemistry of it. Edith Widder explains how bioluminescence helps marine animals survive and thrive in their environment. She also talks about the different kinds of organisms that use bioluminescence. The video also shows magnificent video coverage of bioluminescence in the ocean.

Themes of Biology

Theme 8-
In society, it isn’t uncommon for the new technology to clash with the moral laws of society. However, in Edith Widder’s case, her technological advancements helped society rather then harmed it. Widder invented an unobtrusive camera that sits on the sea bottom and records the behavior of marine animals. She appropriately called it the Eye-in-the-sea. The Eye-in-the-sea recorded never before seen animal behavior, bioluminescence and brand new animal species. Widder’s invention not only helped her fellow scientist, but it also helped educate the public about animal species that our world didn’t know much about. She was also able to further look into the phenomenon called bioluminescence. The technology she has developed has helped the scientific community and today’s society.

Theme 3-
Bioluminescence is the ability for organisms to emit light. It comes from an enzyme-catalyzed chemical reaction. Few animals use bioluminescence, but for the animals that do, bioluminescence is used to perform everyday tasks. The animals use bioluminescence to survive. For example, the Angler Fish (commonly seen in the Pixar Movie, Finding Nemo) uses bioluminescence to attract it prey. Black Dragon Fish use bioluminescence to communicate with other fish. Bioluminescence is also used to help animals attract mates, navigate through the dark waters of the sea and to hide from predators. The chemical reaction or Bioluminescence helps animals perform tasks that are critical to their survival.

attributions:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/the-beauty-of-ugly/interview-dr-edith-widder/426/
http://www.fishchannel.com/saltwater-aquariums/species-info/fireworks-in-the-night.aspx
http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Ar-Bo/Bioluminescence.html