Why do ladybugs have spots?

When I was a child, my parents used to tell me that the number of the spots corresponds to the age of a ladybug and it was definitely an answer that a little girl want to hear. But the truth is, these insects are born with a number of spots that won't change for the rest of their life. It all depends on the species we are actually looking at. They can come with different patterns and colors, but the most known is the seven-spotted, red ladybug that helps us control plant pests in our gardens.

So why do ladybugs have spots? Like lots of other animals, these little beetles need some kind of camouflage to protect themselves. Black spots on their bright red body inform other animals that they might be poisonous and it won't be a good idea to eat them.

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Why is mathematics so hard?

Maths was never my favourite subject at school. I had some problems with it, especially when it comes to the exercises that begin with Prove that... But generally, if I put enough effort into it, I was able to solve them. However, some friends of mine couldn't make it. Some of them complained that it is not their fault that they have bad results. Maths is simply too hard to understand. Why many people find it so difficult? There are many reasons, but first of all: in mathematics you have to find the exact answer. One mistake and the result won't be correct. A plus sign instead of a minus, four instead of three and you're wrong. It is quite demotivating for everyone. You have to practise a lot, if you want to get comfortable with the type of exercise. You need to understand the basics if you want to deal with some more advanced maths equations. So, don't get discouraged and keep practising!

Why does bread usually fall buttered side down?

This morning, when I was preparing my breakfast, it happened again: my sandwich fell to the floor, buttered side down. Maybe it's just a coincidence, or I have a permanent bad luck, but it happens to me every single time when I accidentally drop my sandwich. In fact, there is a scientific explanation, why does bread usually fall buttered side down. There's even a site on Wikipedia dedicated to Buttered toast phenomenon . Let's just say, without mentioning unnecessary law of physics, that when you hold a toast or when you put it on the kitchen table, it is at the perfect level to rotate and land the buttered side on the floor. If you want to avoid it, there are some rules you can follow. You can cut the bread into smaller slices, or you can try to elevate the surface that you are working on , which will probably change the number of rotations and hopefully make the bread land on the desirable side. The shape of the slice is also important- if you make it a...

Why do we cry when we chop onions?

The onion is the most basic vegetable to add while cooking. Think about scrambled eggs or even fried potatoes without it. Quite weird, at least for me. It's the sweetness and spiciness of onion, that make every meal so yummy. But have you ever asked yourself why almost everyone starts crying while chopping it ? Some people say that's because of its specific scent and somehow they are right, since the smell is connected to a compound , released at the moment we cut an onion. When it's mixed with the lacrimal fluid in our eyes, it irritates them and makes us cry, but even though, the onion is still one of the most popular vegetables in the world. Since I don't cry while cutting an onion, I'm the lucky one. Maybe it's because of the fact that I usually wear contacts but that's something we can consider some other time.

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