Enjoy the Little Things
Dinosaur Bone
Thin sections of dinosaur bones show the mineralization process in
order to become a fossil-replacement minerals are usually silica,
calcite, carbonates, and iron.
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Ammonite
Thin section of an ammonite displaying the chambered shell of the
cephalopod. Extinct for 66 million years, the fossil remains
can be found throughout the world.
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Tiger's-eye
Thin section showing the fibers of tiger's eye, the semi-precious
gem from the quartz group. Ancient Egyptians often wore tiger's-eye
to give strength and navigate the after life.
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Sea Urchin
Cross-section of a sea urchin spine. The spines are mostly composed of calcium carbonate and magnesium. The tip of the spine contains a gland that produces the toxins.
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Stromatolite
Earth's oldest fossil, dating back 3.5 million years ago, formed by cyanobacteria. They introduced more oxygen into the atmosphere and allowing the next evolutionary step.
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Star Coral
Thin section of star coral-formed in reefs of shallow to moderate depths, but are most abundant in Caribbean waters. Fossils have been found dating to the Jurassic period.
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Taking a closer look at food!
Orange Peel
India brought sweet oranges to Italy, Spain, and Portugal in the 1400s-there were only sour oranges before. They need exposure to ethylene to turn orange if not grown in the subtropics.
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Apple Cells
Cross section showing the cell wall, chloroplast, and red anthocyanin pigmentation. Anthocyanins were traditionally used as a natural dye or food colorant.
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Kiwifruit
A fairly new fruit crop that New Zealand started growing commerically in the 1940s, and was introduced to the United States in the 1960s. They also contain more vitamin C than oranges.
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Banana Slice
Believed to be the first fruit on Earth, bananas are grown from bulbs instead of seeds and take 9-12 months to harvest. Instead of a tree or palm, the plant is actually an herb.
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Broccoli Bud
Broccoli, also known as Italian Asperagus, is grown worldwide. The heads cannot be harvested by a machine so it must be hand cut with a knife, making it a labor-intensive crop.
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Honey
Bacteria growth in honey is limited due to low water content and high acidity, creating a nearly eternal shelf life (edible honey has even been found in thousand-year old Egyptian tombs).
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