Basic Inventions - From Insects to Modern Fashion - CLIL Polska

In ancient times, the silk trade was so valuable that anyone who tried to take silkworm eggs out of China was put to death. However, two monks smuggled silkworm eggs to Constantinople in 552 AD, and silk production spread worldwide. Insects, including silkworms, play a crucial role in ecosystems by pollinating and cycling nutrients. They have distinct body regions, legs, and antennae, and there are over 1 million species. Insect development consists of four phases: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Understanding this process helps control insect populations and identify species. Maria Sibelius-Marion, a naturalist and artist, made significant contributions to studying insect metamorphosis during the 17th century. Insects have been helpful to humans for food, fiber, and scientific research due to their short life cycles. Silk moths produce luxurious silk fabric used in fashion, and their eggs have been used in Chinese skincare treatments for centuries. From insects to modern fashion and beauty industry the silk trade was so valuable that anyone who tried to take silkworm eggs and mulberry seeds out of China was put to death. Then in 552 AD two monks smuggled silkworm eggs to Constantinople and silk production spread worldwide. Now that secrets out we can safely talk about how silkworms and humans make luxurious silk cloth but it all starts with insects. Insects play an incredibly important role in all terrestrial ecosystems providing services such as pollination and nutrient cycling. They are characterized by having three distinct regions, the head, thorax and abdomen, six jointed legs and two antennae. There is an enormous diversity of insects with over 1 million species described to date. Insects can be found virtually everywhere on earth and are adapted to land inhabitants ranging from dense tropical rainforests to arid deserts. In general they possess short life cycles allowing for rapid population turnover making them extremely adaptable to changing environment conditions. Additionally their hard exoskeletons provide protection from physical harm and dehydration. This combination of biological characteristics has enabled insects to become one of the most successful forms of life on our planet. Insect development is a complex fascinating process that includes four distinct phases, egg, larva, pooper and adult. During the initial egg phase egg is fertilized by sperm and as a goat begins to form. During the larval phase the embryo develops into well-defined body with multiple systems including a digestive tract and respiratory structures. The pooper phase involves metamorphosis to the insect into its final form as it permanently transitions into its adult state. Finally in the adult stage insects can reproduce and may feed on plants or other organisms to maintain their energy needs. Understanding insect development ensures that scientists are better equipped to develop strategies for controlling insect populations responsible for significant crop losses. It also allows for better accuracy in determining insect species and relatedness due to different developmental time frames as well as species specific morphologies associated with each stage of development. Maria Sibelius-Marion was an incredible naturalist, scientist and artist who has set an inspiring example for the generations to come. Born in Frankfurt she grew up as a child living inside a family well equated with books and art due in large part to her father's work as a publisher. Her interest in entomology quickly bloomed during her teenage years when she combined her artistic skills with scientific observation and analysis to accurately capture and document insect life cycles which would later be published in two volumes. Despite the fact that the sciences were almost exclusively reserved for men of the period Maria pursued her dreams and became one of the first authors of records of insect metamorphosis ever, ultimately pushing forward our understanding of ecology significantly. She achieved great renown for her groundbreaking work on butterfly metamorphosis largely during the 17th century. She undertook extensive research, provided detailed scientific observations of her specimens alongside beautiful artwork that set a new precedent in the study of entomology. Her significant contributions included providing precise descriptions of butterfly life cycles, changing societal perceptions that butterflies were born out of mud or spontaneously created by plants and presenting the theory that insects develop through stages like those we now call poopers. Her most influential publication was her book Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium which she published at the age of 50 after she traveled to South America on an independent research expedition. Despite not receiving formal education due to common restrictions placed on women in science at the time, Maria made countless discoveries throughout her lifetime that have contributed greatly to our understanding of insect development today. Insects have been a surprisingly helpful resource to humans for centuries for providing us with food and fiber to helping us control pest populations. Recently insects have also become widely used for medical and scientific research as their short life cycles allow them to be raised quickly and in large numbers more efficiently than larger animals. This has enabled researchers to study the effects of chemical compounds on a variety of generic backgrounds in quick succession. Furthermore they can also help scientists better understand connections between environmental conditions and certain behaviors or neurological states. All in all, while many of us may think of insects as bothersome nuisances, they actually prove to be invaluable tools across many different fields. For centuries humans have been using various insects for their own purposes. Bees and silk moths are just of numerous examples. Bees pollinate our plants while silk moths produce a fabric beloved by women and men alike, silks. Found in nature in the form of silkworms, these caterpillars spin an extraordinary and highly coveted cocoon. After the moth has made its cocoon, it's then collected by humans, processed into a smooth shiny fabric that can be used for a variety of purposes, from everyday clothing to elegant evening gowns. The material itself is incredibly comfortable and versatile, making it perfect for both unusual and classic fashion choices alike. Silk endurance and attractiveness make it one of humanity's most enduring materials, a testament to how important the role of silk moths truly is. The silk moths hold yet another secret. The silk moth secret is an ancient Chinese practice where the egg of a silk moth is used to get rid of wrinkles and other signs of aging. It's said that the enzyme found in the fluid inside the eggs helps to break down dead skin cells, allowing for smoother looking skin. This treatment has been used for thousands of years, but only recently has modern technology and scientific studies shown just how effective it can be at reducing wrinkles and fine lines on all types of skin. While it's unclear exactly how much effect this secret has on a person's overall health and well-being, many people swear by its anti-aging benefits.