Pollutants in the environment, both visible and invisible, come in contact with us daily. This documentary explores how some of the most common toxicants can interact with life on a cellular and molecular level to cause developmental defects. Teratology is the study of exogenous chemical compounds (teratogens) that have the capacity to cause drastic damage to developing embryos. Through case studies that examine the developmental effects of exposure to crude oil, atrazine, diethylstilbestrol (DES), and bisphenol-A (BPA), awareness is brought not only to the scientific impacts of teratogens, but also to the consequences of industrial decisions.
©2013 Michael Barresi, Smith College
Student authors: Blair Bell, Diane Chen, Lee Mack, Claire Maesner, Kristine Trotta
Phenotypic Plasticity in a Changing World investigates how organisms’ respond developmentally to environmental change. The observable characteristics (phenotype) of an organism are shaped by environmental cues, which in turn are influenced by human actions such as climate change, ocean acidification, and overgrazing. This documentary explores whether phenotypic plasticity could be one biological mechanism that organisms use to cope with a rapidly changing environment.
©2013 Michael Barresi, Smith College
Student authors: Angela Chong, Katherine Dymek, Sarah Gaffney, Jesica Hopson, Emily Lyons
Earth’s climate has undergone rapid changes over geologic time, but the rate of human-induced global warming may surpass many of these earlier events. While some species are likely to adapt, others may be unable to change quickly enough to keep pace with their changing environment. This documentary explores developmental mechanisms that serve as the substrate for evolutionary adaptation and considers whether the rate of evolutionary change through these mechanisms can match the speed of climate change.
©2013 Michael Barresi, Smith College
Student authors: Emily Crowley, Julia Johnstone, Bokang Rabasha, Sarah Tucker, Marika Witkus