To identify and quantify the influence of physico-chemical, biotic and geographic factors on the population of dragonflies (Odonata) is an essential tool for research of their ecology. The aim of this study was to 1) assess how these factors influence species richness, diversity and spatial distribution of dragonflies in 42 newly constructed or renewed pools located in the Kokořínsko Protected Landscape Area, which is characterized by two valleys of Liběchovka and Pšovka creeks, low human impact, and a great diversity of small water bodies and 2) use laboratory experiments in order to estimate the relationship between large predatory invertebrates of these pools (Aeshna cyanea, Coenagrion puella, Chaoborus crystallinus and Notonecta glauca) and their common prey (Daphnia curvirostris) in an artificial environment with or without aquatic macrophytes. The pools were monitored and sampled between years 2005 and 2006. In total, 23 dragonflies species were found inhabiting these lentic habitats, comprising 11 species belonging to the suborder Zygoptera and 12 species belonging to the suborder Anisoptera, including a rare species Sympetrum depressiusculum (larvae). Most variability in the dragonfly species richness was explained by the size of the water surface area, followed by the location of the pools (inside...

The Thesis "Experiments with simple aids in teaching physics at primary schools" sums up the issue of the use of the experiments in the environment at the elementary school. The focus is on the creation of the undemanding experiments and their downstream work sheets for teaching physics on the second stage. The aids used in experiments are integrated in the set - the case. The work is based on the experience from practical activities - integration of specific experiments in two selected subjects in teaching physics.

Pair-wise preferential experiments were used to reveal dangerous predator differentiation and ability of amodal completion by four tit species. Firstly was revealed that the tits{\crq} behaviour towards the feeder was in agreement with predictions of the dynamic risk assessment theory. The presence of any predator at the feeder lowered the number of visits to the feeder. Likewise, the tits evaluated the sparrowhawk as more dangerous than the kestrel because its presence lowered the number of visits more than the kestrel. Secondly, we observed tits{\crq} reactions to both partly occluded and amputated dummy of sparrowhawk in two different treatments (torsos vs. complete dummy of pigeon, torsos vs. complete dummy of sparrowhawk). All birds clearly classified both torsos as ``full-featured{\crqq} predators and kept away of them when pigeon on the second feeder. However, when sparrowhawk was presented on the second feeder, number of visits to amputated predator was higher than to occluded one. Birds risked arriving to ``utter{\crqq} amputated torso while the fear of ``full-featured{\crqq} occluded torso stayed without change when second feeder did not provide safe alternative. Such discrimination between torsos needs ability of amodal completion.

Pair-wise preferential experiments were used to reveal dangerous predator differentiation and ability of amodal completion by four tit species. Firstly was revealed that the tits{\crq} behaviour towards the feeder was in agreement with predictions of the dynamic risk assessment theory. The presence of any predator at the feeder lowered the number of visits to the feeder. Likewise, the tits evaluated the sparrowhawk as more dangerous than the kestrel because its presence lowered the number of visits more than the kestrel. Secondly, we observed tits{\crq} reactions to both partly occluded and amputated dummy of sparrowhawk in two different treatments (torsos vs. complete dummy of pigeon, torsos vs. complete dummy of sparrowhawk). All birds clearly classified both torsos as ``full-featured{\crqq} predators and kept away of them when pigeon on the second feeder. However, when sparrowhawk was presented on the second feeder, number of visits to amputated predator was higher than to occluded one. Birds risked arriving to ``utter{\crqq} amputated torso while the fear of ``full-featured{\crqq} occluded torso stayed without change when second feeder did not provide safe alternative. Such discrimination between torsos needs ability of amodal completion.

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Nuclear DNA content (genome size) is one of the basic characteristics of living organisms. In the Angiosperms, the range of genome size is 2,300-fold, which raises questions about the causes and consequences of this tremendous variation. This thesis deals with genome size in plants from the level of intraspecific homoploid variation, through intraspecific ploidy variation, to interspecies comparisons. On various study systems we investigated the dynamics and ranges of genome size variation, tried to reveal possible associations between genome size and selected biological traits, and assessed the extent to which differences in genome size are manifested at the ecological and evolutionary level. As a means of estimating genome size we applied flow cytometry (FCM). In Taraxacum stenocephalum we conducted a detailed study of its enormous genome size variation. We carried out crossings of parents with various genome sizes and compared these parental genome sizes with those of F1 offspring. We also attempted to reveal the association of genome size with various growth traits. In Galium valdepilosum and Arabidopsis arenosa we carried out an extensive flow-cytometric ploidy level screening and compared the distribution and ecological preferences of detected cytotypes. We studied the Andean genus...

-5- ABSTRACT A huge effort has been put in determining the mechanism of the development of tolerance and dependence in context of clinical use of morphine for treatment of severe pain. Understanding of this mechanism would help to design new and more efficient pharmaceuticals. This diploma paper discus the opiate receptors with a special focus on long-term effect of chronic morphine treatment, which was determined using a radioligand binding assays with a non-selective antagonist [3 H]Diprenorphine. One of the goals of this work was to create and optimise a method for preparation of pure plasma membranes from rat cortex using percoll gradient. There were five groups, which differed in the length of morphine treatment: ten days (M-10), twenty-eight days (M-28), ten days with seven days of regression (RM-10 twenty-eight days with seven days of regression (RM-28) and a control group (K). The loss of total opioid receptor number was noticeable after ten days and grew slightly during continuous morphine treatment and kept lowering in the period of regression. The total loss was approximately 30% of the control binding. The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd), thus the affinity of [3 H]Diprenorphine wasn't significantly different among the groups. Morphine acts through µ-opioid receptor, that's why there was a...

Understanding the ability of species to respond to climate change is essential for prediction of their future distribution. When migration is not adequate, reaction via phenotypic plasticity and/or genetic/epigenetic adaptation is necessary. The main aim of this study is to determine mechanisms of response to climate change in dominant grass species Festuca rubra. The study used reciprocal transplant experiment with growth chambers simulating different climatic conditions. Original localities in western Norway represent factorially crossed gradients of temperatures and precipitations, thus it was possible to study the effect of temperature and moisture separately as well as combined. In first part of the experiment, plastic responses were separated from genetic differentiation. To do this, plants with different genotypes from original localities were transplanted to growth chambers set to simulating temperature and moisture course in the four extreme localities (wettest and driest combined with warmest and coldest). After five months, ecophysiological photosynthetic-related traits were measured. These traits are important for species ability to adapt and maintain high fitness and thus they are essential for plants function. Specifically, it was net photosynthetic rate (PN), fluorescence of...

The presented master's thesis examines experiments on humans conducted in Nazi concentration camps during WWII and focuses on the conflict between the victims on one side and scientists on the other. In this conflict, which is centered around the fate of the data, both sides take a strong stand. The criteria for an ethical evaluation is to objectively articulate the main argumentation pillars from both sides and assess their validity in the contrast of two ethical theories which are virtue theory and the theory of consequentialism. To reach this objective, the thesis draws from available literal and audio-visual sources from the fields of history, philosophy, psychology, anthropology and bioethics. The paper is divided into three main parts. The first part is dedicated to terminology, technical execution, integrity, impact and logistics of the experiments. The second part analyzes victim testimonies and impact statements and arguments that had been put forward by the research community. The third part deals with the meaning of the term person's dignity/KAVOD, evaluates the argument points in the contrast of ethical theories, introduces the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance and deliberates the scientific community stance. Keywords Bioethics, cognitive dissonance, concentration camps,...

The thesis informs a reader about problems of establishing new/small political parties and their activities in Czech Parliament during the period of 2002 -- 2010. The surprising and unexpected results of Chamber of Desputies election that took place in May 2010 and brought considerable transformation of contemporary political establishment in Czech republic, represented the main impulse for writing this thesis. The aim of the thesis was to find out the size of political market openness for new/small political parties during the period of 2002-2010 and simultaneously evaluate what kind of position and substance these new/small political subjects in the political market have. A content of thesis is divided into two main parts. The first part is focused on theoretical theme and includes four chapters. There are mentioned mainly the issues of new/small political parties' definitions, the role of relevant parties in proportional representation systems and also some of the most important attempts of electoral reforms. The second part includes the final chapter that is focused on analysis of the factors that had influence on increase or decrease in chances of new/small parties to be successful in Chamber of Desputies elections from 2002 and thus become the part of political establishment. The fundamental questions were: How have the new/small political parties built up in that period of 2002-2010 and under what circumstances have they become the part of political establishment.