A. THINK ABOUT YOUR OPINION ABOUT THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS FOR MOST PURPOSES. ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.
1. Why do you think this way? Have you ever read any scientific studies on environmental impact of different types of "carry bags?"
I have never read any studies on the environmental impact of plastic bags. As far as my personal opinion of plastic bag use, I think that it would be better if we didn't use plastic bags as much or at all. I am the first to admit that I use them because of their availability. However, I do not have a preference one way or the other for them. If paper is all that is available, I wouldn't miss plastic bags.
2. Does your thinking mostly reflect that of most of the people in your circle of friends and family?
I think that most of my friends and family thinking similarly to me. I know of a few people that always bring their own personal bags while shopping, but many do what I do and keep their plastic bags to reuse in some other way.
3. In what type of bag do you usually carry your merchandise home? Why?
If I am being honest, it is almost always plastic. Simply because that is what a majority of stores offer. But, I do think that paper or cloth would absolutely be better.
B. READ THE ARTICLES UNDER THE "ARTICLES IN FAVOR OF BAN ON PLASTIC BAGS" HEADING. DO FURTHER RESEARCH, If YOU ARE INTERESTED. IF YOU WRITE USING OTHER SOURCES, REMEMBER TO CITE THEM.
1. Summarize at least three arguments (three total) made in these sources in support of banning plastic bags in most circumstances.
a. It costs people more money to use "free" plastic bags than to use other non-plastic bags. This is because the cost to clean up after plastic bags have been used is extremely high. Plastic bags jam up recycling machinery, which then cost money to be fixed, and are expensive to remove from the environment.
b. Plastic bags are also incredibly bad for the environment. They break down in the oceans and sea turtles can mistake them for jelly fish and try to consume them.
c. Plastic bags do not have to be utilized. With so many alternatives, such as paper bags and cloth bags, they are really more for convenience.
2. Does this information reinforce or contradict your opinion? How?
I think it reinforces it. I know that plastic bags are bad for the environment and costly to clean the environment as well. However, I did not know that they were costly to recycle too.
3. How is the reasoning supported scientifically? Give two examples?
a) The first article states that Californians pay an estimated 428 million per year on clean up litter in their water. Between 8%-25% of that is just for cleaning up plastic bags.
b) The first article also states that 267 species have been negatively affected because of plastic bag use.
4. List two exceptions to the plastic ban in Austin.
a) Single use plastic bags are allowed for prepared foods were moisture damage can occur.
b) Bags used for laundry, dry cleaning, door-hanger and newspapers.
C. READ THE ARTICLES UNDER THE "ARTICLES AGAINST BAN ON PLASTIC BAGS" HEADING. DO FURTHER RESEARCH, IF YOUARE INTERESTED. IF YOU WRITE USING OTHER SOURCES, REMEMBER TO CITE THEM.
1. Summarize at least five arguments (five total) made in these sources in support of "banning the ban" in most circumstances.
a) Plastic bags have a much lower carbon footprint if reusable bags are not actually reused.
b) Paper bags require more water consumption and contribute to declining forests.
c) Paper bags contribute to higher green house gases than plastic bags.
d) There is a movement toward the use of alternative plastic. These bags are biodegradable and compostable, unlike their traditional plastic counterparts.
e) To balance out the impact of a lightweight plastic bag, a personal would need to use their reusable cotton bag daily for one year or use their paper bags at least three times before disposing of it.
2. How is the reasoning supported scientifically? Give two examples.
a) The Scottish government provided a two years long study on plastic bag use. The report shows the numerical data of plastic bags vs paper bags.
b) A study from "ULS" concluded that plastic bags consume 71% less energy to generate than paper bags.
3. Explain how this information reinforces or contradict your opinion/view. Give an example.
Holy cow! I was kind of surprised to find this information. I initially thought that their was overwhelming evidence that paper or reusable bags were better than plastic bags. However, I can see the argument for plastic. The difference in green house gas emission was a surprising fact to learn.
D. READ OR SKIM THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PAPER. BE SURE TO READ THE SUMMARY AND STUDY FIGURES 5.3 AND 5.6.
1) Summarize six findings of the United Kindom Environmental Agency Publication.
a) Reusing bags as many times as possible is the best practice for helping the environment.
b) Cloth bags contribute to global warming more than plastic bags.
c) Recycling and composting only contribute a negligible amount to reducing global warming.
d) How a bag is produced effects the resources used and impact on the environment.
e) Reusing plastic bags as bin liners is more beneficial than recycling plastic bags.
f) "Transport, secondary packaging and end-of-life management generally have a minimal influence on their performance" regarding the environmental impact of carrier bags.
2. Site three items that surprised you.
a) That reusing bags as garbage liners is more beneficial than recycling them.
b) That recycling and composting do not contribute that much to global warming - I am disappointed in that.
c) Cloth bags are worse for global warming than plastic - still very surprised by this!
E. REVISIT ALL ABOUT BAGS, BAGS AROUND THE WORLD.
1. In your own words, state four countries' (besides US) bag usage.
a) Belgium - Belgium taxes all of their plastic bags, plastic films, aluminum foil and disposable cutlery. All revenue is used for recycling.
b) Ireland - Ireland taxed all of their plastic bags in 2002. This reduced the number of bags used by a whopping 94%! The tax has increased twice since. However there is a catch. Because citizens began using paper bags they also needed to by "kitchen catchers". And this increased the amount of plastic in the waste system.
c) Spain - Spain imposed a tax on plastic bags to reduce their deficit in 2010 and was increased again in 2012.
d) Taiwan - In 2001 Taiwan enforced a ban on plastic bags in food service. However, the ban backfired, because it created an increase in paper waste which required more trucks to dispose of it. This increased green house gasses and created "a mountain of waste". Also, consumer were unhappy with the paper products so the ban was rescinded in 2006.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Sunday, April 26, 2015
COMPARING HOMINID SKULLS
Sorry, my computer was all over the place trying to get this information up! : ~)
Monday, April 13, 2015
GENETICS AND INHERITANCE LAB - PART 2
1. For each of the diploid genotypes presented below, determine the genetic make up for all of the possible gametes that would result through the process of meiosis. Remember, each egg or sperm must have one of each other. That letter can be upper or lower case.
a. Rr = RR, Rr, Rr, rr
b. RrYy = RY, Yr, Ry, yr
c. rrYy = Yr, Yr, yr, yr
d. RrYY = RY, RY, Yr, Yr
2. For each of the following, state whether the genotype of a diploid or haploid cell is represented.
a. D = haploid
b. GG = diploid
c. P = haploid
d. ee = diploid
3. Yellow guinea pigs crossed with white ones always produce cream colored offspring. Two cream colored guinea pigs when crossed produced yellow, cream and white offspring in the ratio of 1 yellow: 2 cream: 1 white. Explain how are these colors inherited. No calculations needed! Name the type of inheritance this represents.
A cream colored guinea pig has the inherited alleles of one yellow parent and one white parent which makes it YW. When two cream colored guinea pigs cross it is then YW, YW. This produces one yellow (YY), two creams (YW) and one white (WW). This type of inheritance is called incomplete dominance because the cream color is the "intermediate" between yellow and white, with neither being dominant.
4. In sheep white is due to a dominant gene (B), black to its recessive allele (b). A white ewe mated to a white ram produces a black lamb. What are the genotypes of the parents? You might need to construct Punnet squares experimenting with different crosses to come up with this answer. Name the type of inheritance this represents.
The genotypes of the parents must be Bb for each sheep. With one dominant white gene and one recessive black gene. This would have a 1/4 chance of producing a black sheep, by getting two recessive genes (bb). This type of inheritance is called dominant-recessive inheritance.
5. In peas, yellow color (G) is dominant to green color (g). A heterozygous yellow is crossed with a green. What is the expected phenotype ratio of the offspring? Name the type of inheritance this represents.
This would result in Gg, gg, Gg, gg. So one half is Gg (yellow) and one half is gg (green). This is an example of dominant-recessive inheritance.
6. White color (Y) is dominant to yellow color (y) in squash. A heterozygous white fruit plant is crossed with a yellow fruit plant. What is the expected phenotype ratio of the offspring? What is this type of inheritance called?
Half will be Yy (white) and half will be yy (yellow). This type of inheritance is called dominant-recessive.
7. In certain flowers, a cross between homozygous red and a homozygous white will always result in a pink flower. A cross is made between two pink flowers. What is the predicted phenotype ratio of the colors red, pink and white appearing in the offspring? What is this type of inheritance called?
The phonotype ratio will be one white, two pink, and one red. This type of inheritance is called incomplete dominance.
8. In humans, the condition for normal blood clotting dominates the condition for non-clotting or hemophilia. Both alleles are lined to the X chromosome. A male hemophiliac marries a woman who is a carrier for this condition. In this respect, a carrier is a woman who has an allele for normal blood clotting and an allele for hemophilia. What are the chances that if they have a male child he will be normal for blood clotting? What is this type of inheritance called?
The child will have a 50% chance of inheriting hemophilia. This is called dominant-recessive inheritance.
9. A person with an allele for type A blood and type O blood marries someone with an allele for type B blood and type O blood. List the types of offspring they cold have and the probability for each blood type in the offspring. (A allele = 1^A, B allele = 1^B, O allele = i) What is the expected phenotype ratio of the offspring? What is the type of inheritance called?
The offspring could be A, B, AB or O blood type. The probability of each type of blood is 25% A, 25% B, 25%AB, and 25% O. This type of inheritance is called codominance.
10. Skin color in humans becomes darker by the number of dominant alleles; AABBCC have the darkest skin and aabbcc have the lights skin. Place these genotypes in sequence according to the color of skin expected for each. Place the darkest skin first. What is this type of inheritance called?
AaBBCC
AaBBCc
AaBbCc
AAbbcc
aabbcc
This type of inheritance is called polygenic inheritance.
a. Rr = RR, Rr, Rr, rr
b. RrYy = RY, Yr, Ry, yr
c. rrYy = Yr, Yr, yr, yr
d. RrYY = RY, RY, Yr, Yr
2. For each of the following, state whether the genotype of a diploid or haploid cell is represented.
a. D = haploid
b. GG = diploid
c. P = haploid
d. ee = diploid
3. Yellow guinea pigs crossed with white ones always produce cream colored offspring. Two cream colored guinea pigs when crossed produced yellow, cream and white offspring in the ratio of 1 yellow: 2 cream: 1 white. Explain how are these colors inherited. No calculations needed! Name the type of inheritance this represents.
A cream colored guinea pig has the inherited alleles of one yellow parent and one white parent which makes it YW. When two cream colored guinea pigs cross it is then YW, YW. This produces one yellow (YY), two creams (YW) and one white (WW). This type of inheritance is called incomplete dominance because the cream color is the "intermediate" between yellow and white, with neither being dominant.
4. In sheep white is due to a dominant gene (B), black to its recessive allele (b). A white ewe mated to a white ram produces a black lamb. What are the genotypes of the parents? You might need to construct Punnet squares experimenting with different crosses to come up with this answer. Name the type of inheritance this represents.
The genotypes of the parents must be Bb for each sheep. With one dominant white gene and one recessive black gene. This would have a 1/4 chance of producing a black sheep, by getting two recessive genes (bb). This type of inheritance is called dominant-recessive inheritance.
5. In peas, yellow color (G) is dominant to green color (g). A heterozygous yellow is crossed with a green. What is the expected phenotype ratio of the offspring? Name the type of inheritance this represents.
This would result in Gg, gg, Gg, gg. So one half is Gg (yellow) and one half is gg (green). This is an example of dominant-recessive inheritance.
6. White color (Y) is dominant to yellow color (y) in squash. A heterozygous white fruit plant is crossed with a yellow fruit plant. What is the expected phenotype ratio of the offspring? What is this type of inheritance called?
Half will be Yy (white) and half will be yy (yellow). This type of inheritance is called dominant-recessive.
7. In certain flowers, a cross between homozygous red and a homozygous white will always result in a pink flower. A cross is made between two pink flowers. What is the predicted phenotype ratio of the colors red, pink and white appearing in the offspring? What is this type of inheritance called?
The phonotype ratio will be one white, two pink, and one red. This type of inheritance is called incomplete dominance.
8. In humans, the condition for normal blood clotting dominates the condition for non-clotting or hemophilia. Both alleles are lined to the X chromosome. A male hemophiliac marries a woman who is a carrier for this condition. In this respect, a carrier is a woman who has an allele for normal blood clotting and an allele for hemophilia. What are the chances that if they have a male child he will be normal for blood clotting? What is this type of inheritance called?
The child will have a 50% chance of inheriting hemophilia. This is called dominant-recessive inheritance.
9. A person with an allele for type A blood and type O blood marries someone with an allele for type B blood and type O blood. List the types of offspring they cold have and the probability for each blood type in the offspring. (A allele = 1^A, B allele = 1^B, O allele = i) What is the expected phenotype ratio of the offspring? What is the type of inheritance called?
The offspring could be A, B, AB or O blood type. The probability of each type of blood is 25% A, 25% B, 25%AB, and 25% O. This type of inheritance is called codominance.
10. Skin color in humans becomes darker by the number of dominant alleles; AABBCC have the darkest skin and aabbcc have the lights skin. Place these genotypes in sequence according to the color of skin expected for each. Place the darkest skin first. What is this type of inheritance called?
AaBBCC
AaBBCc
AaBbCc
AAbbcc
aabbcc
This type of inheritance is called polygenic inheritance.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
GENETICS AND INHERITANCE LAB - PART 1
| Allele(s) from Mother | Allele(s) from Father | Genotype | Phenotype | |||
| Sex of child: | XX | XX | Girl | |||
| Face shape | r | r | rr | square | ||
| Chin Shape (I) | v | V | Vv | very prominent | ||
| Chin Shape (II) | R | r | Rr | round | ||
| Cleft chin | A | A | AA | absent | ||
| Skin color | AbCd | AbCd | AAbbCCdd | med brown | ||
| Hair type | c | c | cc | straight | ||
| Widow’s Peak | W | W | WW | present | ||
| Eyebrows (I) | B | b | Bb | bushy | ||
| Eyebrows (II) | N | n | Nn | not connected | ||
| Eyebrow color | h | H | Hh | same as hair | ||
| Eyes distance apart | E | e | Ee | Average distance | ||
| Eyes size | E | e | Ee | medium | ||
| Eyes shape | A | a | Aa | almond | ||
| Eyes slant | H | H | HH | horizontal | ||
| Eyelashes | L | l | Ll | long | ||
| Eye color | aBC | abC | aaBbCC | hazel | ||
| Mouth size | m | m | mm | narrow | ||
| Lips | l | L | Ll | thick | ||
| Protruding lower lip | h | h | hh | absent | ||
| Dimples | d | D | Dd | present | ||
| Nose size | n | n | nn | small | ||
| Nose shape | r | r | rr | pointed | ||
| Nostril shape | R | R | RR | rounded | ||
| Earlobe Attachment | F | f | Ff | free | ||
| Freckles on checks | F | f | Ff | freckles on cheeks | ||
| Hair color | aBCd | abCD | aaBbCCDd | dark blonde | ||
|
Sunday, April 5, 2015
DNA LAB - PART 2
DNA Technologies
The DNA technology I am most excited about and interested in is gene therapy. This field has a lot going on and has the potential to improve or save many lives. Gene therapy is putting certain human genes directly into cells in an attempt to change the cells behavior. By doing this, the cell would no longer facilitate or create a disease. This may stop cells from differentiating into tumors other or disease processes. Part of the problem with gene therapy is isolating the gene that causes these diseases, then being able to target enough cells to make a difference. If the gene is introduced to only a small amount of cells, than it may not be enough to change the environment. However, if scientist's can find a way to seek out the specific cells that cause the disease and infiltrate a majority of them, it could change the way the cell behaves. Possibly forever. Another issue is that even if gene therapy does work in certain individuals, it is not guaranteed to work in their off spring.
The DNA technology I am most excited about and interested in is gene therapy. This field has a lot going on and has the potential to improve or save many lives. Gene therapy is putting certain human genes directly into cells in an attempt to change the cells behavior. By doing this, the cell would no longer facilitate or create a disease. This may stop cells from differentiating into tumors other or disease processes. Part of the problem with gene therapy is isolating the gene that causes these diseases, then being able to target enough cells to make a difference. If the gene is introduced to only a small amount of cells, than it may not be enough to change the environment. However, if scientist's can find a way to seek out the specific cells that cause the disease and infiltrate a majority of them, it could change the way the cell behaves. Possibly forever. Another issue is that even if gene therapy does work in certain individuals, it is not guaranteed to work in their off spring.
 |
| Injection of genes into human cell. (No directly, of course) |
DNA LAB - PART 1
My Personal Chromosome #9:
DDX58: Dead
This gene helps with RNA recognition and regulating immune responses. It encodes a protein with RNA Dead-box protein.
NOTCH1: Notch 1
A transmembrane protein that aids in developmental process through controlling the fate of what a cell is going to do. Signals cells that are right next to each other and regulates their interactions.
ENG: Endoglin
Encodes for a transmembrane protein that is a vascular endothelium (interior tissue of vessels) glycoprotein (carbohydrate and protein). Part of the "transforming growth factor beta receptor complex" (form of cell to cell communication). Mutations can cause hereditary diseases such as Osler-Rendu-Weber Syndrome 1, preeclampsia in pregnant women and cancer.
RXRA: Retinoid X Receptor Alpha
Help mediate effects of retinoids (Vitamin A compounds). Promotes the binding of molecules in order to transcribe sequences for target genes.
ADAMTS13: Adametallopeptidase with Thrombospondin Type 1
Encodes an enzyme that leads to von Willebrand Factor (protein that stops blood loss). Defects in the gene cause blood clots to form in blood vessels.
SYK: Spleen Tyrosine Kinase
Expressed in hematopoietic cells (blood producing). Pair immunoreceptors with certain biological events and mediate a cellular response. Possibly a tumor suppressor and may play a role in tissue growth.
ABO: ABO Blood Group
Encodes proteins for the different blood groups, A, B and O. Blood types are dependent on which type of allele (alternative form of a gene) is present.
TLR4: Toll-like Receptor 4
Plays a very definitive role in recognizing pathogens (diseases) and starting an immune response. Once they recognize a certain pathogen they aid in the production of cytokines (promotes immunity cells).
My favorite gene is TLR4, Toll-like Receptor 4. I chose this gene because it actively plays a role in immune response and fighting against disease. The gene is able to recognize a pathogen and signal specific cells to take care of it. I find it interesting because it aids in keeping our bodies healthy, often before we ever know the pathogen exists in our bodies.
CITATIONS
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. DNA Interactive. DNA Learning Center, 2003.
Web. April 5, 2015.
Johnson, Michael D. Human Biology Concepts and Current Issues. Illinois: Pearson
Education, Inc. 2014. Print.
DDX58: Dead
This gene helps with RNA recognition and regulating immune responses. It encodes a protein with RNA Dead-box protein.
NOTCH1: Notch 1
A transmembrane protein that aids in developmental process through controlling the fate of what a cell is going to do. Signals cells that are right next to each other and regulates their interactions.
ENG: Endoglin
Encodes for a transmembrane protein that is a vascular endothelium (interior tissue of vessels) glycoprotein (carbohydrate and protein). Part of the "transforming growth factor beta receptor complex" (form of cell to cell communication). Mutations can cause hereditary diseases such as Osler-Rendu-Weber Syndrome 1, preeclampsia in pregnant women and cancer.
RXRA: Retinoid X Receptor Alpha
Help mediate effects of retinoids (Vitamin A compounds). Promotes the binding of molecules in order to transcribe sequences for target genes.
ADAMTS13: Adametallopeptidase with Thrombospondin Type 1
Encodes an enzyme that leads to von Willebrand Factor (protein that stops blood loss). Defects in the gene cause blood clots to form in blood vessels.
SYK: Spleen Tyrosine Kinase
Expressed in hematopoietic cells (blood producing). Pair immunoreceptors with certain biological events and mediate a cellular response. Possibly a tumor suppressor and may play a role in tissue growth.
ABO: ABO Blood Group
Encodes proteins for the different blood groups, A, B and O. Blood types are dependent on which type of allele (alternative form of a gene) is present.
TLR4: Toll-like Receptor 4
Plays a very definitive role in recognizing pathogens (diseases) and starting an immune response. Once they recognize a certain pathogen they aid in the production of cytokines (promotes immunity cells).
My favorite gene is TLR4, Toll-like Receptor 4. I chose this gene because it actively plays a role in immune response and fighting against disease. The gene is able to recognize a pathogen and signal specific cells to take care of it. I find it interesting because it aids in keeping our bodies healthy, often before we ever know the pathogen exists in our bodies.
CITATIONS
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. DNA Interactive. DNA Learning Center, 2003.
Web. April 5, 2015.
Johnson, Michael D. Human Biology Concepts and Current Issues. Illinois: Pearson
Education, Inc. 2014. Print.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
THE JOURNEY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM LAB
PART 1: The Journey of the Digestive System
This video totally grossed my kids out, but I loved it! Really cool perspective of the digestion journey!
PART 2: Salivary Amylase and Other Digestive Enzymes
It took approximately 5.25 seconds to start tasting sweet - I think it was pretty fast. I used a bit of bread since I didn't have salt free crackers.
Complete the chart.
Enzyme Producing Organ Site of Action Substrate(s)
Sal. Amy. Salivary Glands Mouth Polysaccharides
Trypsin Pancreas Small Intestine Proteins
Lipase Pancreas Small Intestine Triglycerides
Pepsin Stomach Stomach Proteins
Questions.
1. Name the end molecules of digestion for each of the following types of food. In other words, what smaller pieces is each hydrolyzed into to be made available to the body?
a. Proteins: Break down into amino acids.
b. Carbohydrates: Break down into monosaccharides.
c. Fats: Break down into fatty acids and monoglycerides.
2. Describe the process by which fats enter the blood.
Fat (or lipids) are digested by pancreatic and intestinal lipase's which break down the fat into fatty acids and monoglycerides. The non-polar molecules are dissolved into micelles that are polar on the outside and non-polar on the inside. This makes the molecules transportable to the the outside of a mucosal cell where it can be absorbed. After it has reached the inside of the cell, both molecules come together again and form a triglyceride. The triglycerides cluster together and are covered in proteins that make them water soluble. At this point they are now called chylomicrons. The chylomicrons now exit the cell via exocytosis and enter lacteals of the lymph vessels to be carried into blood vessels.
Part 3: Food Tracker
The option I chose was My Weight Manager. This one was the scariest for me, but I knew it would be beneficial and I was interested in what it was going to tell me. After entering in my age, gender, height, weight and physical activity, the manager gave me my results. It said that in order to reach my goal weight I needed to get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week and consume up to 1800 calories a day. I need to eat 6 oz of grans, 2 1/2 cups of veggies, 1 1/2 cups of fruit, 3 cups of dairy and 5 oz of protein. I actually like having this information and signed up on the website to see if I can get more out of it. Having solid numbers to go with helps me with creating attainable goals instead of winging it and hoping for the best!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)