Corals have specialized cells called cnidocytes that contain tiny structures known as nematocysts. When a coral feels threatened or disturbed, these tiny capsules literally explode, instantly releasing...
When the sun sends its light to the surface of the sea, it is quite an adventure for each ray of light. First, it is...
The nocturnal bioluminescence in certain algae mainly comes from a natural ability to produce living light, thanks to a specific internal chemical reaction. This phenomenon...
The asymmetric formation of frost often comes from very local differences in temperature on the surface concerned. Imagine a wall, a window, or even the...
To understand how sand can end up high in the sky, it all starts on the ground. The wind blows over a dry surface, initially...
Spider silk owes its remarkable strength to its very special proteins: fibroins. These proteins organize into structures that resemble tiny crystals called crystallites, surrounded by...
Red blood cells have a funny shape: a flattened center, somewhat resembling a donut without its hole completely pierced. This is called a biconcave shape...
When an already very cold ice cube is submerged in a drink at a higher temperature, its outer surface experiences a sudden temperature change called...
When an object is submerged in water, it receives a kind of "boost" upward: this is Archimedes' principle. This phenomenon exists because water exerts an...
Steel is mainly iron with a small amount of carbon mixed in. These atoms are stacked regularly, like marbles neatly arranged in a box. This...
