Watching Grass Grow
from Ask A Biologist Podcast Hosted by Dr. Biology Talks with Stan Faeth
Travel to Northern Arizona to the research site of ecologist Stan Faeth and get some insights into what he has learned from two native grasses. Who would have thought so much could be learned from these simple plants and the microscopic ecosystem that is part of their success? We also learn how "sleepy grass" got its nickname. If it's called sleepy grass, does it also snore? There is also some talk about why a fungus found in grasses could end up helping humans. If you have not already, please subscribe to the podcast so you can be notified about new episodes.
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Chapters
- 0:00 Intro
- 2:07 Ecosystem - species, microscopic world, fungi.
- 3:31 Fungus.
- 4:24 How did you discover the fungus in these grasses?
- 5:10 Chemical compounds - alkaloids, strychnine, nicotine, mescaline.
- 5:38 Anti-cancer compounds unique to these fungi.
- 6:32 Definition of endophytes.
- 7:03 Description of research field site.
- 7:37 Faeth explains the experiment and some basic experimental design.
- 8:23 Herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
- 8:41 Faeth continues to explain the experimental design and how they control water.
- 11:20 How long have you been doing this research as an ecologist?
- 12:13 Faeth's perspective on his type of ecological research.
- 13:03 Symbiotic relationships - mutualism - parasites.
- 14:41 What are the symbionts of the grasses? [Microizee]
- 15:23 What are the fungal endophytes helping the plants to do?
- 16:18 Importance of all living things in a food web - large and small.
- 17:39 How did Sleepy Grass get its nickname? [LSD, Narcotic Effects]
- 19:22 What would happen if humans ate this grass? [Native American legend]
- 21:10 When did you first realize you wanted to be biologist or scientist?
- 21:28 What would you do if you could not be a biologist or scientist?
- 22:15 What advice do you have for a future scientist?
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