Category Science Chats

Posts that engage in scientific topics through conversation

What do ears have to do with balance?

There's a saying that cats always land on their feet. While not always the case, cats do have a remarkable ability to 'right themselves' midair. But the system that gives cats their sense of balance, the vestibular system, is similar to that in humans and is closely related to hearing. Simon and veterinarian Dr. Tanaka discuss how hearing and balance work and the close relationship between these two systems.

Why don’t humans have bones in their eyes?

Most vertebrates have an ocular skeleton, cartilage and bone embedded in the outer wall, or sclera, of the eye. However, most mammals, including humans do not. Rana and her aunt Iesha discuss how eyes work, the function of the ocular skeleton, and potential reasons why humans don't have one.