Phospholipid-derived fatty acids microbial classes when in fact those PLFAs are present in a broad range of life forms. Phospholipids can occur in many biological classes (such as in plant roots, fungi, as well as in soil bacteria), so care has to be taken in over-assigning PLFA biomarkers to the wrong class. Even though phospholipids occur in many different life forms, the fatty acid side chains between differing life forms can be quite unique. Polyunsaturated fatty acids ("e.g." 18:3 ω3c) are found in plants, algae and cyanobacteria, but are often not present in bacteria. Monounsaturated fatty acids (particularly at the omega-7 position), odd-chain
The Spiral of Life Mural Series The Spiral of Life Mural Series The Spiral of Life mural series is a collection of phylogenetic tree public art murals currently housed by the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, the National Aviary and the Carnegie Science Center. The murals reinterpret Charles Darwin's Tree of Life model appearing in "On the Origin of Species" by using the spiral shape in order to show the evolutionary relatedness among species over time. The models accurately depict a modern phylogenetic tree, along with a time scale and illustrations of various plants, animals, fungi, insects, and bacteria. Opposite Darwin's illustration, which has often led