concept

Poppy seed (Papaver somniferum)

Spider spinneret (Unknown sp.)

Blister pack of chloroquine antimalarial tablets. Chloroquine is used to prevent and treat the infectious disease malaria. Malaria is caused by parasites (Plasmodium species) which enter the blood when inefcted mosquitoes feed. Side effects of chloroquine include vomitting, nausea and headache. Retinopathy (damage to the retina) is a rare eye condition associated with long term use over many years. Drug resistance against antimalarials is increasing.

Mosquito (Anopheles stephensi)

Mouse renal glomerulus (Mus musculus)

Open stoma on an orchid leaf (Phalaenopsis sp.)

Melanocyte deficient in myosin 5a

Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) sitting on a purple flower. Bees are important pollinators and play a crucial role in promoting the growth of crops and flowers. The aposematic yellow and black banding pattern on the bee acts as a warning to deter predators.

Buddleia (Buddleja davidii) leaf

Bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) skeleton

SEM of a strand of human hair. Variation can be seen in the structure and appearance of hairs in particular the cuticle, the outer most part of the hair, which is composed of overlapping, scale-like cells and can be a useful indicator as to its origin. Human hair scales have a random, non-repeating pattern, in contrast to those of animals, which are more regular in their arrangement. Scanning electron micrograph; x 750; hair is approximately 95 micrometers wide.

Human hair (Asian origin)

False-coloured scanning electron micrograph of butterfly wing scales from the peacock butterfly (Inachis io). The colours seen in butterfly wings are not usually created by pigments but are the result of the microstructure of the scales which, due to their photonic crystal nature, scatter light to give the iridescence associated with these insects. Width of the scales is equivalent to 100 micrometers.

Butterfly wing scales

Bird's eye view of a moth orchid flower (Phalaenopsis). Orchids have a basic structure comprising of an outer whorl of three sepals and an inner whorl of three petals that surround a central throat. All are zygomorphic (have floral parts unequal in size), with the two lateral sepals being of equal size, while the top one is often larger. In addition, and in contrast to many other plants whose sepals are reminiscent of their leaves, those of the orchids often have the same colour and patterns as the petals.

Orchid flower (Phalaenopsis sp.)

SEM of an orchid aerial root. This cross sectional view shows the various layers of the root (from left to right: velamen, cortex, stele). Aerial roots are found above ground and help absorb water and minerals as well as providing support. Scanning electron micrograph; x 55; radius of root is approximately 1.4 mm.

Orchid aerial root (Phalaenopsis sp.), transverse section

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Human hair (Asian origin)

Butterfly wing scales

Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) sitting on a purple flower. Bees are important pollinators and play a crucial role in promoting the growth of crops and flowers. The aposematic yellow and black banding pattern on the bee acts as a warning to deter predators.

Orchid flower (Phalaenopsis sp.)

Orchid aerial root (Phalaenopsis sp.), transverse section

Wellcome uses cookies.

Lauren Holden

Images

Catalogue

Human hair (Asian origin)

Butterfly wing scales

Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) sitting on a purple flower. Bees are important pollinators and play a crucial role in promoting the growth of crops and flowers. The aposematic yellow and black banding pattern on the bee acts as a warning to deter predators.

Orchid flower (Phalaenopsis sp.)

Orchid aerial root (Phalaenopsis sp.), transverse section

Wellcome Collection

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