Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Last Blog
Throughout this whole school year, I have learned a lot not only about how the human body functions but also about the organisms around us. For example, there are many bacteria, fungus, viruses, and other living organisms surrounding us that we don't even know. Through this class, I was able to investigate what has been impossible to be seen from the naked eyes. The dissections that I've done in this class really interest me and it certainly did helped me confirmed my goal of becoming a bio-related doctor in the future. I never expected to have done all these hands-on activities in a science class ( all the dissections that we've done). I took Biology Honor freshmen year and all we dissected was an earthworm and a frog. In this class, we get to dissect a variety of stuff from a shark to a kidney. I have to say that I didn't really study from the book in this class at all, it was all the activities and labs that we did helped me learn about biology. The book is not interesting to read or even look at so all these fun stuff that we've done had helped me and many of my peers.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Genome Entries 10
Chapter 18: Cures
The is about genetic manipulation, and the first example is in 1972 Paul Berg made the first man made recombinant DNA by using restriction enzymes and ligase. After that, there have been several experiments using recombinant DNA where a retrovirus would be stripped of its infectious genes and replaced with a desired gene and then injected into the body either directly or through cultured cell, trying to cure various diseases through gene therapy such as SCID, hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, and cancer. Genetic engineering has very unnecessarily polarized its proponents and radical environmentalists, stemming from the issue of agricultural genetic engineering. Ridley explains the possibilities of human cloning with genetic improvement through the use of embryonic stem cells and recombinant DNA.
The is about genetic manipulation, and the first example is in 1972 Paul Berg made the first man made recombinant DNA by using restriction enzymes and ligase. After that, there have been several experiments using recombinant DNA where a retrovirus would be stripped of its infectious genes and replaced with a desired gene and then injected into the body either directly or through cultured cell, trying to cure various diseases through gene therapy such as SCID, hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, and cancer. Genetic engineering has very unnecessarily polarized its proponents and radical environmentalists, stemming from the issue of agricultural genetic engineering. Ridley explains the possibilities of human cloning with genetic improvement through the use of embryonic stem cells and recombinant DNA.
Citation:
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Genome Entries 9
Chapter 17: Death
A gene called TP53 is responsible for suppressing rogue cancer cells and is classified as a tumor suppressor gene. These genes are the opposite of oncogenes, which are genes that encourage cell growth. Ridley explains that the reason detecting cancer early is so important is that the more it progresses and the more the cells divide, the more mutations accumulate. Some cancer victims also carry mutations in mutator genes. Ridley explains that in various types of cancers TP53 is mutated very early, which is why chemotherapy and radiation therapy does not always work effectively in later stages of the disease.
A gene called TP53 is responsible for suppressing rogue cancer cells and is classified as a tumor suppressor gene. These genes are the opposite of oncogenes, which are genes that encourage cell growth. Ridley explains that the reason detecting cancer early is so important is that the more it progresses and the more the cells divide, the more mutations accumulate. Some cancer victims also carry mutations in mutator genes. Ridley explains that in various types of cancers TP53 is mutated very early, which is why chemotherapy and radiation therapy does not always work effectively in later stages of the disease.
Citation:
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Genome Entries 8
Chapter 15: Sex
Prader-Willi syndrome and Angelman’s syndrome, both are caused by the lack of the same chunk of chromosome 15, and it has been shown that whether a child inherits one syndrome or the other depends on the parent from whom the mutation is inherited. This relates to sexual antagonism and the fact that the placenta is controlled by paternal genes. Genetic cloning seems to erase all genetic imprints so the organism still survives. Imprinting has an effect on the brain too, that the mother’s genes control the development of the cerebral cortex while the father’s control the development of the hypothalamus, so essentially we inherit our mother’s way of thinking and our father’s innate moods.
Citation:
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Genome Entries 7
Chapter 14: Immortality
James Watson discovered that polymerases do not start copying DNA at the tip of the chromosome, they start coding part way into the DNA. Telomerase is most likely responsible for increasing the continuous division of cells. Malignant cancer cells switch the gene on after it has been switched off by most cells in development. Ridley discusses why aging may be caused by evolution, and said that “Natural selection has designed all parts of our bodies to last just long enough to see our children into independence, no more.” So, cancer is most definitely linked to age.
Citation:
James Watson discovered that polymerases do not start copying DNA at the tip of the chromosome, they start coding part way into the DNA. Telomerase is most likely responsible for increasing the continuous division of cells. Malignant cancer cells switch the gene on after it has been switched off by most cells in development. Ridley discusses why aging may be caused by evolution, and said that “Natural selection has designed all parts of our bodies to last just long enough to see our children into independence, no more.” So, cancer is most definitely linked to age.
Citation:
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Genome Entries 6
Chapter 11: Personality
Dopamine is basically a motivational chemical, meaning that lack of it will make an individual lethargic or immobile, while excess can cause schizophrenia. Dean Hamer shows in a study that D4DR correlates with novelty seeking behavior. Additionally, therapists found that depathologizing people’s personalities and reassuring them that their personality is innate rather than some learned flaw helped them to improve their self-esteem. Personality and behavior can also be influenced by diet, specifically cholesterol intake. Antisocial and depressed people have been shown to have lower cholesterol levels, because there is a correlation between cholesterol and serotonin, a chemical similar to dopamine. Lower cholesterol levels mean lower serotonin levels which usually indicate depression or violent desires.
Citation:
Dopamine is basically a motivational chemical, meaning that lack of it will make an individual lethargic or immobile, while excess can cause schizophrenia. Dean Hamer shows in a study that D4DR correlates with novelty seeking behavior. Additionally, therapists found that depathologizing people’s personalities and reassuring them that their personality is innate rather than some learned flaw helped them to improve their self-esteem. Personality and behavior can also be influenced by diet, specifically cholesterol intake. Antisocial and depressed people have been shown to have lower cholesterol levels, because there is a correlation between cholesterol and serotonin, a chemical similar to dopamine. Lower cholesterol levels mean lower serotonin levels which usually indicate depression or violent desires.
Citation:
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Comparing 3 Invertebrates
Many leeches found in lakes are parasites, feeding on the body fluids of fish and other creatures. Leeches can swim by undulating their body. However, mostly, they move by using the suckers at either end of their body to loop across the surface of objects. They eat the body fluids of of fish, frogs, water snails and insect larvae. They feed by attaching themselves to their prey and use either jaws or a proboscis to feed on blood. Fish wait for their victims by waiting outstretched. They are very difficult to see because they look just like plant stems. Leeches often consume more than their own body weight in a single meal and often rest, between meals, for up to a month.
Flatworms are unsegmented worms with flattened bodies. Their flatness allows them to shelter beneath stones. The surface of their bodies are covered with cilia which are kept in constant motion, allowing them to glide over plants and stones. They secrete slime which acts as a lubricant. They eat small animals including crustaceans, and insects, alive/dead. Their mouth is a small hole found halfway down the underside of their body. They can sense when food is around, because of sensory cells on their head. They extend a muscular tube out of their mouth, and suck up food. This tube is known as a pharynx. They are eaten by leeches and great diving beetles.
Earthworm bodies are divided into lots of different segments. Earthworms play an important role in helping to keep soil in good condition. They help to recycle plant material, and also mix oxygen into the soil as they tunnel. There are about 13 different types of earthworm in Britain.Earthworms move by contracting the circular muscles around their bodies, then the long muscles which run down their bodies. They eat mainly dead plant material. Earthworms sometimes drag leaves into their burrows and they eat the soil and use the dead plant material from it as food.
http://www.naturegrid.org.uk/biodiversity/invert_english.html
Images from Google
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Why is it important to define and debate our understanding of intelligence and its origins? How does this relate to you?
The seminar circle that we did on Wednesday is a helpful way to help us determine our way of learning. Everyone's learning style is different and its really important to determine what our learning style is so we can use it to help our self learn faster and better instead of using the wrong way where we can't learn anything even if we tried. What determines our learning style is our intelligence. There are different kinds of intelligence that each person has and the type of intelligence you have determines what method you prefer to use when learning. From the seminar/debate, I learned that there are visual intelligent, natural intelligent, scientific intelligent, musical intelligent, athletic intelligent, audio intelligent, interpersonal intelligent, mathematical intelligent, etc. For example if you are a visual intelligent person, then it'll be best if you learn by looking and paying attention to people, in another word, visual. I consider myself as a mathematical learner, when you learn by following directions step by step and thoroughly. I am also a hands-on learner because i can't learn by just looking at what people are doing, i have to actually do it myself in order to understand the process and what is being taught.
Genome Entries 5
Chapter 10: Stress
A gene on Chromosome 10, CYP17, is responsible for the synthesis of an enzyme that enables the body to convert cholesterol into cortisol, testosterone and oestradiol. The first of these steroids, cortisol, is released when the brain signals stress and sets off a long chain of genetic triggers, switching genes on and off and thereby causing other genes to be switched on or off, including suppressing the immune system. Ridley also asserts that the world, not just the human body, is full of intricate interconnected systems with no control center, like the economy. Heart disease has shown to be linked very highly to the amount of daily cortisol in the bloodstream, which correlates to daily stress level and a feeling of control.
A gene on Chromosome 10, CYP17, is responsible for the synthesis of an enzyme that enables the body to convert cholesterol into cortisol, testosterone and oestradiol. The first of these steroids, cortisol, is released when the brain signals stress and sets off a long chain of genetic triggers, switching genes on and off and thereby causing other genes to be switched on or off, including suppressing the immune system. Ridley also asserts that the world, not just the human body, is full of intricate interconnected systems with no control center, like the economy. Heart disease has shown to be linked very highly to the amount of daily cortisol in the bloodstream, which correlates to daily stress level and a feeling of control.
Citation:
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Genome Entries 4
Chromosome 8: Self-Interest
Ridley begins by introducing the concept that genes are much more complicated than they need to be, with genetic information in sections called exons with intermittent random sections called introns. Reverse transcriptase is one that is not helpful at all to the human body, and aside from being the fuel for the AIDS virus, the gene exists because several genes use it to replicate themselves. Fortunately, humans possess a capacity to suppress and freeze these junk genes by a process called methylation. The reverse of this process is the first step in the development of cancer. Forensic scientists have found and proliferated a practical use for these junk genes called minisatellites, however, in genetic fingerprinting.
Ridley begins by introducing the concept that genes are much more complicated than they need to be, with genetic information in sections called exons with intermittent random sections called introns. Reverse transcriptase is one that is not helpful at all to the human body, and aside from being the fuel for the AIDS virus, the gene exists because several genes use it to replicate themselves. Fortunately, humans possess a capacity to suppress and freeze these junk genes by a process called methylation. The reverse of this process is the first step in the development of cancer. Forensic scientists have found and proliferated a practical use for these junk genes called minisatellites, however, in genetic fingerprinting.
Citation:
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Describe how a nephron works.
By filtering out everything in the blood, except for large proteins and blood itself. Then the distal and proximal tubule will slowly bring back in what the body needs, like calcium, chloride, etc and whatever is left goes to the ureter and gets to the bladder to be urinated out. The nephron capsule filters urea, water, glucose, and salts from the capillary, and sends them through the tubule. The tubule re-absorbs water and glucose back into the blood, and carries what is left over (urine, a mixture of urea, water, and salts) to the ureter. Nephron is the basic unit of Kidney, it has basically three parts: Glomerular capsule, Henle's loop, and Collection tube. Collection of nephron plays an important role in the excretory system.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Starfish
Starfish are often a pest of commercial clam and oyster beds, a single Starfish my eat over a dozen oysters or young clams every day. The body wall of echinoderms consists of three layers. The outer layer is only a single layer of cells which covers the entire animal including its various spines. The third layer is also a single layer of cells the main difference being that these cells are ciliated. This layer encloses the the animal's coelom separating the animals guts from its skin. The middle layer is much thicker and is called the dermis. It is composed of connective tissue and contains the exoskeleton. The exoskeleton supports the spines, warts and tubercles that are often found on the echinoderm surface.
Apart from its skin/spine, an echinoderm also has contact with the external world through its water vascular system and the tube feet that are a part of this system. The water vascular system of the echinoderms is unique in the living world and easily distinguishes them from all other phyla. The water vascular system starts with an opening to the external environment called a madreporite. From this a short straight canal called the stone canal leads to the ring canal. The ring canal is a ring as might be expected and it has five longitudinal canals branching off from it into each of the arms.
Echinoderms are either filter feeders, substrate eaters or carnivores. The gut is U-shaped in the Crinoidea with the mouth and anus being on the same surface. Echinoderms have a sub-epidermal nerve net running all over their body. As well as this they have a circum-oral nerve ring with 5 radial nerve cords extending from it into the arms. Many Echinoderms use their tube feet as organs for gaseous exchange, but others such as the Ophiuroidea and the Holothuroidea have additional special sites or organs of respiration.
Ophiocistioidea
Astroidea
Echinoiudea
Holothuoidea
Apart from its skin/spine, an echinoderm also has contact with the external world through its water vascular system and the tube feet that are a part of this system. The water vascular system of the echinoderms is unique in the living world and easily distinguishes them from all other phyla. The water vascular system starts with an opening to the external environment called a madreporite. From this a short straight canal called the stone canal leads to the ring canal. The ring canal is a ring as might be expected and it has five longitudinal canals branching off from it into each of the arms.
Echinoderms are either filter feeders, substrate eaters or carnivores. The gut is U-shaped in the Crinoidea with the mouth and anus being on the same surface. Echinoderms have a sub-epidermal nerve net running all over their body. As well as this they have a circum-oral nerve ring with 5 radial nerve cords extending from it into the arms. Many Echinoderms use their tube feet as organs for gaseous exchange, but others such as the Ophiuroidea and the Holothuroidea have additional special sites or organs of respiration.
Crinoidea
Images from Google
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Genome Entries 3
Chapter 6: Intelligence
Ridley introduces the search for the intelligence gene. He comes to the conclusion that intelligence genes do not work in a vacuum. Studies done on separated twins have shown that there is, in fact, heritability to intelligence and personality, and that there was zero correlation between IQ scores of adopted children living in the same family. Ridley also introduces the concept that the intelligence genes are indeed more expressive later in life rather than less expressive because people begin to choose their own environments and comfort zones, giving more liberty to the genes to express themselves. This is proven by the fact that elementary school children in Head Start programs are no longer ahead of their peers by the end of elementary school.
Citation:
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Citation:
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Double Fertilization
It is the process at the time of fertilization when two male gametes are brought to the oval sac one of them fuses with egg cell to form embryo and the other gamete fuses with the cells in the center that are called polar nuclie to form endosperm further to provide nourishment to the growing embryo. A single pollen grain has 2 sperm. Double fertilization occurs when 1 of these sperm combines with the egg, and the other sperm combines with a cell (endosperm). That is in order for the seed to keep being produced. Seed has to be germinated, and without the extra sperm (double fertilization) the plant couldn't germinate and would go extinct. The union in flowering plants of two sperm nuclei. One sperm nucleus unites with the egg to form the diploid zygote, from which the embryo develops, and the other unites with two polar nuclei to form the triploid, primary endosperm nucleus.
Genome Entries 2
Chapter 3: Fate
Ridley uses the example of the Wolf-Hirschhorn gene, where individuals with the gene are healthy, those without the gene have Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, and those with a mutated version have Huntington’s chorea. In 1970, a woman named Nancy Wexler and her father knowing that she may carry the mutation for Huntington’s chorea, decided to search for the gene. The gene was finally found in 1993 and it solely a repetition of the codon CAG. Excess CAG repeats have been found to induce at least five other neurological disorders and at least twelve known human diseases. The number of repetitions can increase over time, except in the cerebellum, but especially in sperm production. Ridley then goes on to discuss how people handle the fate of testing positive for a genetic test for Huntington’s, and how it is not always wise to diagnose a disease that cannot be cured before its onset.
Ridley uses the example of the Wolf-Hirschhorn gene, where individuals with the gene are healthy, those without the gene have Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, and those with a mutated version have Huntington’s chorea. In 1970, a woman named Nancy Wexler and her father knowing that she may carry the mutation for Huntington’s chorea, decided to search for the gene. The gene was finally found in 1993 and it solely a repetition of the codon CAG. Excess CAG repeats have been found to induce at least five other neurological disorders and at least twelve known human diseases. The number of repetitions can increase over time, except in the cerebellum, but especially in sperm production. Ridley then goes on to discuss how people handle the fate of testing positive for a genetic test for Huntington’s, and how it is not always wise to diagnose a disease that cannot be cured before its onset.
Citation:
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Extra Credit Blog
What topics really confused you?
Some of the topics that confused me including the Bacteria/Viruses and Fungi chapters. I really can't remember all the parts and structures of a bacteria and a virus. Viruses are more complex in structure and function compare to a bacteria, and this is why viruses are even harder to remember. It is really confusing since there are many kinds of bacteria and viruses in this world.
What topics do you feel very clear on?
I feel very clear on the cells and plants chapters. This is because I've learned the basics of the cell back in freshman year when I was taking Biology. Therefore, with that knowledge added to what I'm learning in Biology AP makes it so much easier and more understandable for me. On top of that, I have an interest in plants and how plants works so this is why I feel comfortable and understands a lot when it comes to the plants chapter.
What lab/ activity was your favorite? Why?
My favorite lab/activities in the class was lit. circle, the review game that we played with foods as reward, and the plants collection where we have to go outside and take pictures of 10 plants and 10 insects. Lit. circle allow me to discuss important and interesting topics with my group and sometimes with Ms. Malonek where I learned even more "interesting" things. I like how our discussions went really off topic sometimes but we still learn. I love doing the plants collection activity because it allows us to go explore around campus and find interesting insects and plants that I don't even know it exits in our campus.
What lab/activity was your least favorite? Why?
The lab/activity that was my least favorite is the staining dyes lab and labs where we have to use the microscpes. I don't like it when i accidentally spill the dye on my hands that won't come off until a few days later or when it gets messy in the class. Also when doing microscope labs, we always run out of time to look at our pants/species under the microscope so this gets confusing because we don't have the results.
If you could change something about the class to make it better, for instance the type of homework (not the amount) what would it be and why?
Some of the topics that confused me including the Bacteria/Viruses and Fungi chapters. I really can't remember all the parts and structures of a bacteria and a virus. Viruses are more complex in structure and function compare to a bacteria, and this is why viruses are even harder to remember. It is really confusing since there are many kinds of bacteria and viruses in this world.
What topics do you feel very clear on?
I feel very clear on the cells and plants chapters. This is because I've learned the basics of the cell back in freshman year when I was taking Biology. Therefore, with that knowledge added to what I'm learning in Biology AP makes it so much easier and more understandable for me. On top of that, I have an interest in plants and how plants works so this is why I feel comfortable and understands a lot when it comes to the plants chapter.
What lab/ activity was your favorite? Why?
My favorite lab/activities in the class was lit. circle, the review game that we played with foods as reward, and the plants collection where we have to go outside and take pictures of 10 plants and 10 insects. Lit. circle allow me to discuss important and interesting topics with my group and sometimes with Ms. Malonek where I learned even more "interesting" things. I like how our discussions went really off topic sometimes but we still learn. I love doing the plants collection activity because it allows us to go explore around campus and find interesting insects and plants that I don't even know it exits in our campus.
What lab/activity was your least favorite? Why?
The lab/activity that was my least favorite is the staining dyes lab and labs where we have to use the microscpes. I don't like it when i accidentally spill the dye on my hands that won't come off until a few days later or when it gets messy in the class. Also when doing microscope labs, we always run out of time to look at our pants/species under the microscope so this gets confusing because we don't have the results.
If you could change something about the class to make it better, for instance the type of homework (not the amount) what would it be and why?
Sometimes it gets really confusing about what assignments we are suppose to do and what we are suppose to have in our notebook and lab notebook. It will clear things up a lot if there is a list of what needs to be in our notebook on your blog maybe a few days before notebooks are due. And also I think simulations are taking a lot of time to complete because sometimes it gets hard and we don't know what to do. Also it will be helpful if you can tell us what chapters we need to complete instead of saying like "cell chapters" because i don't know how many cell chapters are there. I would also want more class lectures with the powerpoint because I learn more when you teach like that and have less labs so more time for us to read the chapters and review your class powerpoint lectures.
Semester 2: BOW 1 Genome Entries 1
Chapter 16: Memory
Ridley introduces the problem of knowledge versus instinct, and learning versus heritability, but then asserts that natural selection will make universal common knowledge like grammar instinct but will leave things like vocabulary to be learned so that it can change with time. Eric Kandel isolated a chemical called cyclic AMP that is involved in the process of learning by changing itself when something is learned. It has also been shown without a doubt that humans are not the only creatures capable of learning. Bees, mice, and even sea slugs can learn, as proven by Kandel’s study and many others. However, while the human brain is capable of immense amounts of learning, the brain is created and ultimately controlled by genes and related proteins and chemicals.
Citation:
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Citation:
Ridley, Matt. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Bog 16: Beak of the Finch Key Ideas
"Natural selection takes place within a generation, but evolution takes place across generations" (79).
Evolution is a big theme in the book. Jonathan Weiner tries to emphasize the importance of evolution in his book by bringing out the fact that there is currently 13 different types of finches on the Galapagos Islands. What started off as one species has now become 13. The reason for this is because the birds started to be separated on different islands and adapting to different niches: food, environment, etc.
"Beaks are to birds what hands are to us." (50)
Evolution is a big theme in the book. Jonathan Weiner tries to emphasize the importance of evolution in his book by bringing out the fact that there is currently 13 different types of finches on the Galapagos Islands. What started off as one species has now become 13. The reason for this is because the birds started to be separated on different islands and adapting to different niches: food, environment, etc.
"Beaks are to birds what hands are to us." (50)
Although this book mainly focuses on birds and their changes on the island, but out there in the natural world there are tons of animals that abide by this rule. There are plenty of animals that also change and adapt. Natural selection occurs in changes in things that may not be noticeable, like different spot patterns in guppies.
"The survivors would bend and twist and diverge to either side as if to minimize competition making themselves as different as possible." (55)
Evolution occurs because it is necessary for only one type of animal occupy one niche at one time. When there are two different species occupying a niche, competition will arise. Competition will result in one species to change and adapt to a different environment.
"The survivors would bend and twist and diverge to either side as if to minimize competition making themselves as different as possible." (55)
Evolution occurs because it is necessary for only one type of animal occupy one niche at one time. When there are two different species occupying a niche, competition will arise. Competition will result in one species to change and adapt to a different environment.
A Fear of Phermones Article
This article explains how humans, not only animals can release a type of phermones to other humans. The examples used in the article, such as the moth and fish, the fish uses chemical signals to track down specific members of their own species and signals the changes of the status of other fishes. On the other hand, for moths, they release what is called bombykol into the air to attract the opposite sex. As shown in the primates, the females react to estradiol that also attracts males. As much as I support the evidence of these phermones used in animals, I also agree how females who live or hangout a lot experience similar menstrual cycle dates. Overall, I do support the view of this article and some of the points it makes is pretty accurate.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Beak of the Finch: Lit. Circle Reading
This is an important and timely book for at least two reasons. In the first place, it has both the fact of evolution and the most powerful theory ever devised for explaining it readily comprehensible to the general public. The author joins the company of writers and demonstrates an admirable capacity for expressing complex ideas simply and clearly. Secondly, Weiner's masterpiece provides a scientifically compelling refutation not only of the claims of Creationists, but also of the criticisms of many dissenting evolutionary theorists concerning the adequacy. Both objectives are achieved through the immersion of us in an exciting and carefully documented account of the ongoing operation of what Darwin had presciently surmised to be the major force driving evolution: the engine of natural selection.
Weiner manages this largely by centering his book on the heroic and groundbreaking work of Peter and Rosemary Grant in the Galapagos Islands, and by moving back and forth between their research project and the almost accidental discoveries of Darwin that began in the same area approximately a century before. This approach introduces in us a sensation of mystery unraveling that equals in fascination the best of modern detective thrillers.
Citation:
Weiner, Jonathan. The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time. New York: Knopf, 1994. Print.
Weiner manages this largely by centering his book on the heroic and groundbreaking work of Peter and Rosemary Grant in the Galapagos Islands, and by moving back and forth between their research project and the almost accidental discoveries of Darwin that began in the same area approximately a century before. This approach introduces in us a sensation of mystery unraveling that equals in fascination the best of modern detective thrillers.
Citation:
Weiner, Jonathan. The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time. New York: Knopf, 1994. Print.
Major Plant Divisions
Vascular cryptogams and are the first vascular land plants. The main plant body is the sporophyte, which is differentiated into true roots, stems and leaves. Their xylem is lack of companion cells. The sporophytes reproduce by spores, borne in sporangia. Sporangia are usually borne on fertile leaves called sporophylls. Pteridophytes are mostly homosporous, but some are heterosporous with microspores and megaspores.
These plants are vascular, and they have seeds, like the gymnosperms. The add on that makes them so advanced is their ability to have flowers. The main advantage of the flower is to protect the plant’s seeds. Unlike gymnosperms, whose seeds are exposed to weather, animals, and people, angiosperms have their seeds surrounded by flowers, which can offer incredible protection. Many angiosperms have an inner layer that surrounds the seed, storing food and protecting the seed from harm, and an outer layer that protects the seed from the elements or animal attacks.
Bryophytes are simple, green, land plants. Unlike higher plants such as ferns and flowers, they lack specialised woody water conducting vessels. Their relatively delicate, nonvascular structure limits the size to which they can grow. Bryophytes are nonvascular terrestrial plants that first emerged about 420 million years ago. They form the nonmonophyletic grouping Bryophyta and include mosses (Bryophyta), liverworts (Hepatophyta) and hornworts (Anthocerotophyta).
Gymnosperms are naked seeded spermatophytes, originated 350 millions years ago. Most of them have become extinct and some are represented by a few living species called living fossils. The main plant body is the diploid sporophyte, which is woody and perennial and differentiated into root, stem and leaves.
http://www.preservearticles.com/201101102902/gymnosperms.html
http://bryophytes.plant.siu.edu/bryojustified.html
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-angiosperms.htm
http://www.preservearticles.com/201101102901/pteridophytes.html
Images from google
On Societies as Organisms Article
In On societies as Organisms, Thomas points out that the writers of books on insect behavior go to great lengths to distinguish the uniqueness of insect life. Furthermore, it is political incorrect to imply in any way that the "operation of insect societies has any relation at all to human affairs". Nevertheless, Thomas admits that it's difficult for a bystander watching an ant colony not to do exactly that. He writes that ants are "so much like human beings as to be an embarrassment". They farm and they raise livestock. They launch armies into war and use chemical sprays to alarm and confuse their enemies. They also capture slaves. But because ants are part of a collective society, we don't like the idea that they are not something totally foreign.
Thoughts for Countdown Article
In Thoughts for a Countdown, Thomas discusses further how all cellular life on this planet is interconnected and similar. I agree with his statement because all of us in this world are human and we have lives. We communicate with each other to make this planet a greater place to live in. He discusses the custom that was prevalent throughout the Apollo program that astronauts returning from space would be ushered into isolation wearing surgical masks. The implication is, of course, that the astronauts may have brought a strange virus. He states that this whole notion is built on a faulty understanding of science and biology. He points out that most of the associations on this planet between living things are cooperative.
Lives of a Cell Article
The Lives of a Cell by Lewis Thomas goes to argue that the world is kind of like a cell, along with many other points. I agree with him because this world is a big ball consist of many different organelles that work together to make this cell function properly. Thomas cleverly gives his readers a tour of general cell biology that i think nearly anybody can understand by forming numerous connections between the human condition and the way any other biological organism works. What sets this apart from any other didactic biology textbook is that Thomas injects biology with thought, analogy, and metaphor while also explaining relatively recent discoveries and delving a bit into the history of biological discoveries. He explores the hypothetical and the quietly obvious, which is actually where the strength of this book lies but of course everything dies. What makes this article so addicting is that Thomas flips our perspectives on these simple matters, even at times poking fun at our neurotic human nature or our views on science. He brings up the oddest, yet simplest questions: What if we are the product of bacteria and viruses? What if they make us for their survival and not vice versa?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Cell Poem
Cell Wall Cell Wall Cell Wall.
Why so strong?
The plant cell wall is a remarkable structure.It provides the most significant difference.
It is rigid and gives plant cells a great finish.
While most cells have a outer membrane,
None is comparable in strength to the plant cell wall's bearings.
Why so poor?
The cell wall is composed of cellulose fiber,
polysaccharides,
and proteins.
In new cells the cell wall is thin and not very kin.
This allows the young cell to grow and not shrink.
When the cell is fully grown,
it may retain its primary wall,
sometimes thickening it,
sometimes flattering it.
On the whole, each cell's cell wall interacts with its "mall" to form a tightly bound plant core.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Cell Diversity Wordle
There are smaller pieces to cells that include proteins and organelles. There are also larger pieces called tissues and systems. Cells are small compartments that hold all of the biological equipment necessary to keep an organism alive and successful on Earth. There are millions of different types of cells. There are cells that are organisms onto themselves, such as microscopic amoeba and bacteria cells. And there are cells that only function when part of a larger organism. The cell is the smallest unit of life in our bodies. In the body, there are brain cells, skin cells, liver cells, stomach cells, ect. All of these cells have unique functions and features. One major difference in cells occurs between plant cells and animal cells. Many animals have skeletons to give their body structure and support. Plants do not have a skeleton for support and yet plants don't just flop over in a big spongy mess. The cell wall is a rigid structure outside of the cell membrane. The chloroplast allow plants to harvest energy from sunlight. Specialized pigments in the chloroplast absorb sunlight and use this energy to complete the chemical reaction.
http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/4682547/Untitled
Cellular Metabolism Wordle
Cellular metabolism is the sum total of all the biochemical reactions taking place within a cell. It includes all the reactions involved in degrading food molecules, in synthesizing macromolecules needed by the cell, and in generating small precursor molecules, such as some amino acids , for cellular needs. It also includes all reactions involving electron transfers (oxidationreduction, or redox, reactions). Metabolism takes place in sequences of biochemical reactions called pathways. It is the set of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms in order to maintain life. Cellular metabolism involves complex sequences of controlled biochemical reactions, better known as metabolic pathways. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to environmental changes.
http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/4682538/Untitled
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Exemplars of Phyla of Protozoa
Phylum Sporozoans are nonmotile, unicellular protists that are commonly parasitic on vertebrate animals. The microorganisms invade red blood cells where they multiply, eventually escaping from the ruptured cells. The disease is characterized by spells of fever and chills, associated with the simultaneous rupture of red blood cells. Malaria is one of the most widespread diseases throughout tropical regions of the world, and it is transmitted through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. 
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/trnov01b.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC372943/
http://library.thinkquest.org/27819/ch7_8.shtml
http://staff.jccc.net/pdecell/protista/rhizopoda.html
Images from Google
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