Mitosis

What is Mitosis? Mitosis is cell division. It is where a single cell divides into two equal cells called daughter cells.

• One cell divides once into two daughter cells
• Main purpose is to replace worn out or bad cells.
• Mistakes made during Mitosis can lead to changes in DNA, which can cause genetic disorders.

5 different phases of Mitosis

• Interphase
• Prophase
• Metaphase
• Anaphase 
• Telophase

Summary: The purpose of mitosis is for the an old or worn out cell to break down into 2 equal daughter cells that each get a full set of DNA or genetic code. It only happens one time for each cell. But a problem can occur if the body take to long during mitosis If it takes too long, the cells can change their DNA which can cause genetic disorders.

Citation: Genome, Your. "What Is Mitosis?". Yourgenome.Org, 2017, https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-mitosis. Accessed 25 Feb 2019.

-Ryder Edwards

Meiosis

What is Meiosis?

Meiosis is cell division. The nucleus divides into 4 nuclei each having half the amount of chromosomes. Meiosis is essential in sexual reproduction an happens in all eukaryotes including single celled organisms.

-Cell division

-Four cells are created with half the chromosomes

-only happens with reproduction 

Citations
Studios, Andrew Rader. “Meiosis - It's for Sexual Reproduction.” Rader's BIOLOGY 4 KIDS.COM - Biology Basics for Everyone!, Andrew Rader Studios, www.biology4kids.com/files/cell2_meiosis.html.

Plant Cell vs Animal Cell

("Differences Between Plant And Animal Cells") 

Plant Cell - Larger than Animal Cells and have Chloroplasts, the cell wall, vacuoles. They need to perform photosynthesis to help the plants reproduce.  

Animal Cell - Animal cells do not need to carry on life through photosynthesis and have other parts of the cell to rely on. 

Similarities - The plant and animal cells are very similar because they are both eukaryotic cells. They both contain membrane-bound organelles. 



The cells are used to function off life and are needed to help each other and to help the plant or organism grow and produce. They are in every living thing and are much more important than we think. It is one of the building blocks of life. The cell function regulates the cell and holds everything together and keeps the parts of a cell functioning correctly. 

Scientific Method - Grace Moore

Chodorowicz, Heidi, and Heidi Chodorowicz. “Bringing It Back to Our Roots with the Scientific Method.” UX Collective, UX Collective, 19 Mar. 2018, uxdesign.cc/bringing-it-back-to-the-routes-of-the-scientific-method-eedfc1eae1b5.
Grace Moore 
Scientific Method - a method of research in which a problem is identified, relevant data are gathered, a hypothesis is formulated from this data, and the hypothesis is empirically tested.
Steps 
- Ask a question
-  Do background research
-  Construct a hypothesis
-  Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment
-  Analyze the data and results then draw a conclusion

Something surprising about this is that we do this almost every day. When you have a question and you are trying to solve it you do these steps in your head to try and to come to a conclusion. I learned this because when learning what this was and applying it in real-world situations it just brings to light that we do this with most questions that we have. When going into this I already knew some of the steps but I did not realize how often this can be used every day. 

Symbiotic Relationships: Parasitism

Parasitism:

-What is it? It's a symbiotic relationship where an organism lives in/on another organism called the host, and this organism harms the host.

The parasite's goal is to live in the other organism as long as they can without killing it, if the host is dead, the parasite will end up dying too.

There are many examples of parasitism everywhere, a simple example is a tick and a dog, the tick attaches to the dog and sucks the dog's blood, so the tick benefits from the dog, while the dog can be harmed by transmission of many diseases.

This symbiotic relationship differs from the predator-prey relationship, in parasitism, the goal is not to kill the host, and they can last for days, weeks, months, and even years, but in the predator-prey relationship one organism kills another organism in order to survive, that's the biggest difference.

Santiago Hernandez

23 Examples of Parasitism in Humans and Animals. https://www.lifepersona.com/23-examples-of-parasitism-in-humans-and-animals.

Acid Rain -Cadence Amaral

What is acid rain?

• Rain that's made acidic by pollution that causes environmental harm, usually to forests and lakes.

Why is it bad?

• Acid rain makes waters acidic and causes them to absorb the pollution that makes its way from soil into lakes and streams.

What are the causes?

• Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that starts when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. 
• An example of a cause for acid rain would be burning coal and other fossil fuels.

How can we prevent acid rain?

• A good way to reduce acid rain is to produce energy without using fossil fuels. Instead, people can use renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.

Summary

• In conclusion, Acid rain is acidic rain caused by the burning of coal and other fossil fuels. Acid rain causes the deconstruction of the environment and the poisoning of the earth with pollution. Acid rain is easily avoidable by using renewable energy sources, like solar and wind energy.

By Cadence Amaral

Citations-

Nationalgeographic.com. (2019). Acid Rain. [online] Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/acid-rain/ [Accessed 21 Feb. 2019].

Agency, Environmental Protection. “Acid Rain.” Https://www3.Epa.gov, www3.epa.gov/acidrain/education/site_students/beingdone.html.

Earth Eclipse. (2019). Primary Causes of Acid Rain | Earth Eclipse. [online] Available at: https://www.eartheclipse.com/environment/primary-causes-of-acid-rain.html [Accessed 21 Feb. 2019].

Biogenesis is where anything comes from how they were made and being born.

-reproduction

-life

-people used to think that if you put bread in a corner and left it there mice would just appear there and start eating it instead of coming from outside getting in and eating it.

I was not aware that people a few hundred years ago thought that animals just randomly appeared if there was food somewhere instead of reproduction happening them growing up and finding there way to food. If someone said that now they would sound dumb.

 

                                                                                                                                          Calen Lawson 

Diabetes -Kaylan Daniels

1. Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose or blood sugar levels are too high or low.
2. Insulin helps keep your sugar levels from getting too high or too low.
3. Type 2 diabetes is caused by genetic and environmental factors. It can be hard to set genetic and environmental 

Main types of Diabetes: 

• Type 1
• Type 2 
• Prediabetes 
• Gestational Diabetes 

Summary: 

I learned that if you have diabetes that your body doesn't make enough insulin, it can't use the insulin that it produces or a combination of both. Since the cells can't take the glucose, it builds up blood in your body.

Citation:

gclid=CjwKCAiAkrTjBRAoEiwAXpf9Cfmtfx07T7AzV2HteEk39_7rpVpxfeAxPaOjfx-EO-PmUR7fHGkxaBoCVsgQAvD_BwE [Accessed 15 Jan. 2018].

Biogenesis

Biogenesis is the theory that organisms must come from other organisms.

(Life from life)

Examples of biogenesis:

• A baby born from its mother
• A bacteria cell that was created by an old one splitting into two (fission)
• A mushroom planted from its "parent" mushroom's spores
• An ant hatched from an egg laid by the queen

Summary:

In short, biogenesis means that you cannot make life from nothing (abiotic factors), and that it must have come from something biotic (currently living or not). The opposite of biogenesis is abiogenesis, the theory that life can come from abiotic factors.

By Sacha Jacques

Citations:

Dohrman, Paul. “The Theory of Biogenesis.” Sciencing.com, Sciencing, 10 Jan. 2019, sciencing.com/theory-biogenesis-5419233.html.

Symbiotic Relationships: Parasitism

-Parasitism is an example of a symbiotic relationship
-One organism benefits
-The other organism is harmed/hurt

Summary:
This type of relationship is describing a parasite and an organism. Sometimes people can think this is like a predator prey relationship but it isn't because one of the organism's isn't dying. The parasite is living off of the host (the one getting harmed). What surprised me when learning about this is that the parasite is usually living off of the other organisms for weeks and sometimes months at a time, not killing the animal. This was one of my favorite things to learn because we get to see how cool it is, and the way organisms interact with each other. In this relationship, humans could even be involved with lice being the parasite and us being the thing getting harmed, same with leeches and humans.

Citation:
Lakna. “Difference Between Mutualism and Parasitism.” Pediaa.Com, 3 Sept. 2018, pediaa.com/difference-between-mutualism-and-parasitism/.

Cell Organelles: Cell Wall

Jordan Grandison

Cell Wall

"Cell Wall Facts: 40 Facts For Your School Homework". Facts Legend, 2019, https://factslegend.org/40-interesting-cell-wall-facts/.

A cell wall is an organelle found in plant cells and few other organism. The cell wall surrounds the cell membrane and protects it from things outside of the cell such as bacteria. It provides strength and structural support for the cell. Made up of cellulose that forms fibers that give it its strength.

Reflection

Cell walls is something that I was familiar with because I learned about it before. I learned that they get their strength from long fibers formed from cellulose. I liked this objective because I found it easy to gather information about it.

Citations

"Cell Wall - Definition, Function & Structure | Biology Dictionary". Biology Dictionary, 2019, https://biologydictionary.net/cell-wall/.

"Studios, Andrew. "Biology4kids.Com: Cell Structure: Cell Walls". Biology4kids.Com, 2019, http://www.biology4kids.com/files/cell_wall.html.

Carbon Cycle

What is the Carbon Cycle?

    The Carbon cycle is when carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

What comes around goes around (Steps to the Carbon Cycle)

  The movement of carbon travels in many forms but mostly travels between the atmosphere, oceans, biosphere, and geosphere

  Step 1: Carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from breathing and burning (combustion)

  Step 2: Carbon dioxide is absorbed from producers to make carbohydrates in photosynthesis

  Step 3: Animal feeds on plants, passing the carbon compounds along the food chain

  Step 4: Dead organisms are eaten by decomposers in the ground. The carbon in there bodies is returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. These decomposed plants and animals may be available for fossil fuels in the future

Facts about the Carbon Cycle 

  •Life on earth is made up of carbon-based life forms

  •Carbon is the fourth most abundant element element in this Universe

  •Carbon is apart of the Ocean, Air and Rocks

  •With humans burning so much fuel there is about 30% more carbon dioxide in the air today then there was 150 years ago

Bose, Debopriya. “A Brief Guide to the Steps of the Carbon Cycle.” BiologyWise, BiologyWise, 21 May 2018, biologywise.com/the-carbon-cycle-steps. 

lactic acid

• Lactic acid is temporary
• Lactic acid happens when too much acid builds up in your bloodstream
• The most common reason Lactic acid build up is during intense exercise 
• Lactic acid causes muscles to hurt

"Tailwind Coaching". Tailwind Coaching, 2019, https://tailwind-coaching.com/.

Ahmed, Mustafa, et al. “Your Guide to Heart Health.” MyHeart, 28 Jan. 2015, myheart.net/.

Gel Electrophoresis (DNA fingerprinting)

Definition: Gel electrophoresis is a laboratory method used to separate mixtures of DNA, RNA, or proteins according to molecular size.





main ideas/facts:
- Gel electrophoresis uses a gel (like gelatin) and the application of an electric field through the gel.
-  An electric current is applied across the gel so that one end of the gel has a positive charge and the other end has a negative charge.
- Charged molecules move through a gel when an electric current is passed across it.
- The result is a series of ‘bands’, with each band containing DNA molecules of a particular size.

Summary:  Gel electrophoresis is very helpful in solving crimes, finding out parents/siblings, and medical problems. Without gel electropheresis, it would be highly difficult to find out identities and issues around DNA.

citations:
“Gel Electrophoresis.” Science Learning Hub, www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/2029-gel-electrophoresis.

Eukaryotic vs. Prokaryotic

Definitions:
Prokaryotic - Cells that lack a membrane-bond nucleus.

Eukaryotic - Cells that have an enclosed membrane. 

Summary:
Knowing that the prefix "kary" meant nucleus, I wasn't surprised to find out what these 2 words meant. Prokaryotic cells don't have an enclosed membrane on the nucleus like eukaryotic cells do. 

Citations:
Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o6huiw7u5o

Lab Safety

Lab Safety

Lab Safety is an important concept in science because of the many possible hazards brought forth in experiments.

Examples of Lab Safety Guidelines:

• Wear appropriate clothing including footwear
• Do not lean, hang over or sit on the laboratory tables
• No food or drinks during labs
• Report accidents, injuries, broken glass or equipment to instructor 
• No horseplay around lab equipment
• In the event something goes wrong, it's important to know where the safety equipment is and how to use it. 

Lab Safety is crucial to the success of a lab. Without the guidelines set for the experimenters there could be a potential for injury or other dangers throughout the lab. In order to have a safe and successful lab you must be sure to stay aware of your surroundings and pay close attention to the many instructions/details given.

Citations: 

-“The University of Sydney - Safety Health & Wellbeing.” LABORATORY SAFETY GUIDELINES - WHS - The University of Sydney, sydney.edu.au/whs/guidelines/others/laboratory_safety.shtml.

-“Lab Safety Rules and Guidelines.” Lab Manager, www.labmanager.com/lab-health-and-safety/2017/12/science-laboratory-safety-rules-guidelines.

Enzymes

Enzymes are made up of 2 parts. The active site and the substrate. These come together to make the enzyme as a induced fit.


Enzyme -> Protein -> Catalyst

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions

Co-enzymes are organic molecules

Maggie Odenbrett

-Huntington's Disease
-This is a fatal disorder that causes the breakdown of the nerve cells in the brain.
-This disease affects people between their 30's and 40's.
-This disease is caused by the gene HTT, (which is responsible for making the protein huntingtin). Huntingtin affects nerve cells, and the mutation is called CAG trinucleotide repeat.
-This disease is treated with therapy, and medication.


Summary:
We should know this disease because it is caused by genetic mutation. Genetic mutation is the permanent change to the genetic make up of an organism.

“UC San Diego News Center.” How The Immune System Fights Back Against Anthrax Infections, ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/pressrelease/uc_san_diego_health_system_named_center_of_excellence_for_huntingtons_disea. 

Characteristics of Life - Hunter Jones

Characteristics of life are things that can be observed in objects to see if they are living or non-living. The characteristics of life are ....

•Has Cells

•Reproduces

•Has some form of Homeostasis

•Responds to stimuli

•Needs Energy to survive

There are more characteristics that can be observed but these are the main five that you will find in every living organism.

Summary

I have learned that characteristics of life are things that can be observed in living organisms. I know about the characteristics of life because of our lab in class where we observed the different objects in the classroom. Our group was shocked that a potato is still alive even after its taken from the ground because it has cells and can reproduce.

Citations

• Kelly, Joe. "Atlantic City Man Tries To Use Big Rock To Rob Another Man". Cat Country 107.3, 2019, http://catcountry1073.com/atlantic-city-man-tries-to-use-big-rock-to-rob-another-man/.

• "Tree". En.Wikipedia.Org, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree.

Green house effect

• Carbon dioxide creates a blanket that traps heat in the earth's atmosphere from the sun light.

• More carbon dioxide means a bigger blanket means more heat in earth's atmosphere.

The greenhouse effect is when sunlight reaches the earth, carbon dioxide traps the sun's heat in the earth's atmosphere and warms the planet up.

"E Learning For Online Courses Like UPSC, CAT, GMAT, K10, K12 & JEE." Byjus.com. N.p., 2019. Web. 19 Feb. 2019.

Homeostasis- Kylie Dye

Homeostasis- Kylie Dye

This is an example of temperature in our body and how we must keep it balanced.

• Ability to maintain a stable internal environment

• What “things” must our body cells regulate?

The four main ones:

• Temperature control
• pH
• Sugar (glucose) levels
• Water balance/levels

Summary:

I learned that homeostasis is the ability or the process to maintain a stable internal environment. So basically it is the right balance of things internally. It surprised me that homeostasis was easier to understand then the dictionary told me. It made this long complicated definition when really it was not that difficult to understand. I did already know about homeostasis, I just forgot what it meant. I liked this objective because we just learned about it today. It was also easier to understand than I expected. This can be applied to real life by applying it to our human needs. We must stay the right temperature as well as not consuming to much sugar.

Citations:

Kazilek. “Hypothalamus.” Kazilek, 9 June 2012, askabiologist.asu.edu/bird-hypothalamus.

Cell Organelles: Cell Wall

• A cell wall is a layer on the outside of a cell that prevents expansion, it also supports the cell, and provides the shape and form of the cell

• In conclusion a cell wall is important to the structure of a cell. Without a wall the cell would have no shape and could expand more than it should. Animal cells do not have a cell wall but plant cells do.

-Molly King
“ANATOMY OF THE PLANT CELL VS A HUMAN CELL.” Interactive Biology, www.interactive-biology.com/3956/anatomy-of-the-plant-cell-vs-a-human-cell/.

“The Structure and Function of a Cell Wall.” Thought Co., www.thoughtco.com/cell-wall-373613.

Energy Pyramid- Makayla Puckhaber

WHAT IS AN ENERGY PYRAMID?
* An energy pyramid is the flow of energy in a community.
* The different levels represent different groups of organisms that might compose a food chain.
* The sun is the primary source of energy in an energy pyramid.
* 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.

LEVEL MEANINGS
* Producers (organisms that can make there own food) bring energy from nonliving sources into the community.
* Primary Consumers eat the producers, which makes them herbivores.
* Secondary Consumers eat the primary consumers, which makes them carnivores.
* Tertiary Consumers eat secondary consumers.

SUMMARY
I have learned that an energy pyramid is the flow of energy in a community. I have known about the Energy Pyramid from our discussion in class this year. I really liked this objective. An example that I came up with is a squirrel(the primary consumer) which eats an acorn(the producer) then a snake(secondary consumer) eats the squirrel then the hawk(tertiary consumer) eats the snake.

CITATIONS
“Life Science: Session 7.” Annenberg Learner, www.learner.org/courses/essential/life/session7/closer5.html. 

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Main Ideas:

- PKU is a genetic disorder that causes a build up of phenylaline, an amino acid, in the body. Enzymes that normally break down this amino acid are defective and can't do their job properly.

- Without this enzyme, the build up can develop dangerously when the affected person eats food that has proteins or artificial sweeteners.

- Babies are required to be screened for the disease shortly after being born.

- The first symptoms could be musty odor in breathe, skin, or urine. Seizures, rashes, delayed development, and other brain issues may also occur.

- The gene can be inherited genetically if both parents are carriers of the gene.

- Treatment includes a lifetime diet with limited amounts of protein, and foods like milk, eggs, cheese, nuts, and meats have to be avoided or taken in very small amounts. Amino acid therapy is also a treatment option, taken in a powder or tablet form.

- If left untreated, PKU can lead to irreversible brain damage.

It was surprising to learn that this disorder can have such a major impact on the affected person's life. As someone with this disorder you'd have to constantly watch what you eat and make sure you don't eat anything you aren't supposed to. One thing that I learned is that all babies are screened for it after being born, meaning all of us were probably screened for it when we were little. This was a very interesting topic to learn about, and I thought it was very enlightening to some of the health problems that people should be aware of, and it was also surprising that someone could be a carrier of the gene and not have the disease, but could pass it on to their children.

Citations:
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Phenylketonuria (PKU).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER), www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/phenylketonuria/symptoms-causes/syc-20376302.

 “Sickle Cell Trait.” Dshs.texas.gov, Texas Department of State Health Services, 7 Feb. 2019, dshs.texas.gov/newborn/sctrait.shtm .