The tag-recapture method to determine the population size

When you want to know the population size of a species, you can use the tag-recapture method to do so. This method is also called the mark-recapture method….

Creating superior corn with F1 hybrids and heterosis

For many crops certain strains are developed that are called “F1 hybrids”. For example in corn, certain flowers and vegetables. The farmer or gardener sows these “F1 hybrid…

What does P, F1 and F2 mean?

When displaying crossings between two parental organisms, the resulting offspring are referred to as F1. If those offspring are crossed between themselves, the resulting generation is called F2….

How our body tells the time

Check out the video below When I was studying biology at the University of Groningen, there was a whole department dedicated to chronobiology. It was super fascinating what…

Methods to create more drought resistant Brassica varieties

Methods to create more drought resistant Brassica varieties Written by Willem Dijkman and Linda van Zomeren, 2010. Supervised by dhr. T. Elzinga of the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. Made in…

Heterosis: the patterns and genetic basis

Heterosis is the phenomenon whereby first generation (F1) hybrids have higher trait values than their parents (Charlesworth and Willis 2009). These F1 hybrids can be produced by parents…

The speed of evolution

The speed of evolution is measured in genetic changes of a species over time. A lot of genetic changes accumulated over time will produce a species that is…

Life history traits of the lugworm Arenicola marina

I have written this article in 2009 as part of my Bachelor on Evolutionary Biology at the University of Groningen. This essay aims at providing some basic information about Arenicola…

Sex ratio distorters in European Nasonia vitripennis populations

I have written this article as my Master Project for the Master Ecology and Evolution at the University of Groningen in 2010. You can download the PDF below….

The sex determination mechanism of the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis

I have written this article in 2008 about the research project I did for my Bachelor of Science, Evolutionary Biology Program, at the University of Groningen. You can…