Let's Learn Everything!

12: Thermal Biology, Why we have Periods, and Stickers

Mar 10, 2022

Explore the connection between heat and biology, the evolutionary mystery of human periods, and the fascinating history of stickers. Learn about thermal biology in animals, the diversity of menstruation across species, and the origins of stickers from ancient times to modern collectibles.

01:26:11

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Quick takeaways

Heat is the vibration of molecules, explaining heat transfer and cold space.

Thermoregulation varies in animals; endotherms create internal heat, ectotherms rely on external.

Menstruation evolved as a maternal-fetal conflict resolution, balancing genetic interests for reproductive success.

Deep dives

Heat and Thermal Biology Unveiled

Heat and thermal biology encompass the jiggling movements of molecules, revealing the physical nature of heat. Understanding heat as the vibration of particles sheds light on phenomena like heat transfer that explain heat dissipation and cold space. The concept of heat as tiny molecular movements revolutionizes perspectives on various natural occurrences.

Intro

2min

Exploration of Heat, Thermal Biology, and Molecules' Jiggling

4min

Exploring the Role of Heat and Temperature in Biology

2min

Exploring the Intricacies of Thermal Biology in Animals

28min

The Biological Purpose and Diversity of Menstruation in Different Species

9min

Decidualisation and Evolution of Menstruation

16min

Exploring the Origin and Evolution of Stickers

11min

Evolution of Stickers: From Fruit Labels to Collectible Digital Stickers

12min

Exploration of Thermal Biology, Periods, and Stickers

2min

What do heat and temperature have to do with biology? (It turns out, a lot!) We know what periods are, but why do humans have them? And stickers are delightful but how did they come about?

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We also learn about: what is heat? endotherms ectotherms homeotherms heterotherms and poikilotherms, being warm blooded evolved twice, heat generating plants, naked mole rats are weird, the podcast's stable of strange animals grows, kleptothermy, everyone huddles, which animals have periods? mansplaining periods, elphant shrews, convergent evolution of periods, spontaneous decidualization, "pregnancy is parasitic", women's reproductive research is underfunded, georgian beauty standards, stamp based tangents, bumper stickers, and our favorite stickers.

Sources:

Richard Feynman's "Six Easy Pieces" Book

Endotherms and Ectotherms

Thermoregulation

Oryx Heterothermy

Quelea High Body Temperature

McKechnie's Blog Post on the paper

The evolution of Endothermy

Beehive Temperature Regulation

Desert Ant Thermotolerance

Thermogenesis in Plants

Color Changing Thermal Biology