Ask Emily #4

TL;DR

Emily answers questions about bone marrow in birds, museum trading, exhibit selection, the role of natural history museums in research and conservation, and resources for learning about frogs.

Transcript

No, you're a dodo! No, you're a dodo! Question time with Emily! Where I answer your questions. Jill Grace asked: All vertebrates have bone marrow, birds just happen to store it differently than mammals and other reptiles. The majority of bones in a birds' body are called pneumatic bones, and these are hollow and full of air sacs that aid in their a... Read More

Key Insights

• ☠️ Birds have different bone structure to aid in flight, but still store marrow in specific bones.
• 👻 Museum trading is a common practice, allowing museums to expand their collections and diversity.
• 👨‍🔬 Museums are not just for display; they are active research laboratories used by scientists worldwide.
• 🖐️ Natural history museums play a crucial role in scientific research, conservation, and preservation of cultural heritage.
• ❓ Pigeons are fascinating creatures with evolutionary wonders.
• ❓ Supporting museums through donations, memberships, and spreading awareness is crucial for their continued success.
• 👃 Skunk smell can be challenging to remove but can be overcome with proper hygiene.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do birds store bone marrow differently than other vertebrates?

Most of a bird's bones are pneumatic and hollow, filled with air sacs to aid flight. However, they still store marrow in special bones, like those in the legs and arms.

Q: Do museums commonly trade with other natural history museums?

Yes, museum trading is common and beneficial for diversifying collections. Researchers travel to different countries to exchange species and artifacts that are unique to each museum.

Q: How do museums select objects for display?

Curators choose objects that best illustrate the theme of an exhibit. However, only about 1% of a museum's entire collection is on display at a given time, as museums are active laboratories used daily by researchers worldwide.

Q: What is the role of natural history museums in research and conservation?

Natural history museums are hubs for scientific minds. They contribute to ongoing research, discover new species, communicate with governments and communities to preserve biodiversity, save dying cultures, and contribute to advancements in modern medicine.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Birds store bone marrow differently than mammals and reptiles, with most bones being pneumatic and hollow, but they still store marrow in the legs and arms.

• Museums often trade with each other to diversify their collections, benefiting both parties.

• Museums only have about 1% of their collection on display at a time, as they are active laboratories used by researchers worldwide.

• Natural history museums play a crucial role in ongoing scientific research, from discovering new species to preserving rainforests and saving dying cultures.

• Pigeons are fascinating creatures with evolutionary wonders, and everything in science can be interesting with the right perspective.

• Supporting museums through donations, memberships, and spreading awareness is beneficial.

• Skunk smell can stick to clothes and skin, but it can be overcome with proper hygiene and understanding friends and family.

• Wikipedia and the Animal Diversity Web are valuable resources for learning about frogs.