TED Talks Daily

The fascinating physics of insect pee | Saad Bhamla

21 snips
Feb 28, 2023
Saad Bhamla, a scientist focused on insect behavior, dives into the surprising world of insect urination. He reveals the impressive adaptations of bugs, like the glassy-winged sharpshooter's quick and efficient pee process. Bhamla highlights how these tiny creatures use unique mechanics for waste elimination, sparking curiosity about nature's intricacies. He encourages viewers to appreciate the mundane aspects of life, showing how studying insects can inspire a love for science, especially in children.
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ANECDOTE

Nature's Tiny Engineers

  • Saad Bhamla, fascinated by nature's tiny engineers, studies insects.
  • His research includes spiders using webs as slingshots and worms forming knots.
ANECDOTE

Observing Insect Pee

  • Bhamla and his student, Elio Challita, observed a sharpshooter insect peeing.
  • They were astonished by the insect's prolonged and rapid urination.
INSIGHT

Insect Excretion

  • Insects, like the glassy-winged sharpshooter, have a closed system for waste.
  • What goes in must come out, leading to their unique peeing mechanisms.
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