Adaptive Molecular and Neural Strategies

📋 Course Outline

1. Polar bear albedo and adaptations
2. Octopus distributed intelligence and learning
3. Synaptotagmin and rapid neurotransmitter release
4. ADAR1 RNA editing and protein diversity
5. Temperature-dependent RNA editing in cephalopods
6. Polar bear genetic changes under climate stress

📖 1. Polar bear albedo and adaptations

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Albedo : Albedo is the fraction of incoming solar radiation reflected by a surface, changing with surface type.
• Polar bear adaptations : Polar bear adaptations are physical and behavioral traits that improve survival in an ice-dominated environment.

📝 Essential Points

• Albedo 0 absorbs all incoming radiation, while albedo 100 reflects all incoming radiation.
• Snow can reflect up to about 95% of solar radiation.
• Polar bears have traits such as insulating fur, black skin for heat retention, high fat storage, and white camouflage for hunting.

💡 Memory Hook

Albedo scale: 0 = absorbs, 100 = reflects (snow ≈ 95%).

📖 2. Octopus distributed intelligence and learning

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions