basic genetics

According to the information given on the "Tour of the Basics" for heredity and traits, much of our appearance and talents come from our parents. Heredity are traits from our parents given to children. The passing of these traits is the basis of heredity. Traits are distinguished characteristics or qualities. Our traits are defined from genes that convert instructions. Everybody has thousands of genes which are made of DNA and abide in our chromosomes. The environment we are born and live in shapes our traits as well. For example, when hair is a certain color such as black, the color can be changed to a dark brown due to the exposure of sunlight.

Each human receives two sets of 23 chromosomes from a mom and dad. That is a total of 46 chromosomes. As parents develop a child, each provides a complete set(23). In other words, this is how parents pass genes to their child. For this reason, we all have different appearances and characteristics that look some what like our parents. This process is taken place when the father's sperm cell joins the mother's egg cell. As the egg and sperm cell joins, they create a single cell named zygote. As the cell divides, the result will be the creation of a child. Since these combinations of chromosomes are randomly given to a child, every child inherits a special set from their mother and father.

A trait is a notable feature of quality in a person. We all have a combination of traits that makes us an extraordinary individual. They are passed from generation to generation. They are given to us and passed to our future children. Traits such as hair color, eye color, and height are physical traits. Physical traits are characteristics of ones physical makeup. Behavioral traits are characteristics of the way one acts. For example, a sheepdog's herding instinct. Lastly, predisposition to a medical condition. If a parent has a certain type of disease, there is an increased risk that it will be inherited to their child. Our genes play a role in defining our traits, however non-genetic(environmental) effects in our lives are just as essential to shaping our traits. It's even possible that the environment that you live in will change a trait.

class response

During this first trimester, we have learned, discussed and experimented numerous topics such as the owl pellets. From this lab, I have discovered the several types of animals that a barn owl consumes. First of, owls are a type of nocturnal bird, and they are carnivores. They eat small prey such as shrews, mice, voles, and especially rats. However, owls don't have teeth like many other birds. Instead, they are torn into smaller pieces and swallowed. Indigestible particals of the prey are then compressed. These parts are excreted into a whats called a pellet. Pellets are masses of bone, teeth, hair, feathers, and exoskeletons from prey. They are produced an regurgitated. Since the pellet is stored and partially blocks its digestive system, new prey cannot be swallowed until the pellet is expelled. Our group's pellet turned out to be a rodent like many others. Although seperating the fur from the bones were a little difficult to do because the bones were very fragile, we found two rodents, a vole and field mouse. I really enjoyed doing this project because we got to search through a pellet to see what a barn owl eats. It was a challenge to put all the bones together to get an animals figure, but it was fascinating to see when skeleton was complete.

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Two other interesting facts that I found out about owl pellets is that an owl's stomach acid is only as strong as vinegar. Because of this, most bones remain unbroken in the pellet. This was amusing considering that some of the bones in our pellet were chipped but overall, the bones did come out to be unbroken and I think this is one of the reasons why we rebuilt the skeleton. I also learned that owls don't have a sense of smell of taste. I thought this was also interesting because to hunt its prey, the owl must depend on its ears and sight. Also, I guess that the owl doesn't care what it eats because they can't taste so they consume many rodents. For example, most of us found a mice or rat.

current event #1

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33860070/ns/us_news-environment/

U.S. taking brown pelicans off endangered list

The Brown Pelican is unique for its dark feathers and broad wings. These creatures were declared an endangered species in the year of 1970. They were imperiled by hunters and DDT. DDT is a well-known synthetic pesticide which was used to control the population of mosquitoes. This chemical was consumed when the pelicans ate the poisoned fish. The affect of this pesticide greatly impacted the eggs with shells so thin, they broke during incubation. Likewise the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon. The species recovery was mainly due to the ban of DDT in 1972. States and conservation groups contribute effort into protecting their nesting sites and monitor its population. "Once again, we see healthy flocks of these graceful birds flying over our shores. The brown pelican is endangered no longer." Although the birds are officially declared not endangered, their habitat is still in danger from rising seas and erosion. Nowadays, the birds are prevalent and soar along the coast of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, California, Texas, Washington, and Oregon.

In my opinion, I believe that both the mosquitoes and Brown Pelicans are important issues. The DDT chemical wasn't researched and planned well. We want to decrease the population of the mosquitoes, but we don't want to harm the Pelicans. For this reason, I think that we should create a environmental solution that controls the amount of mosquitoes, but not harm the Brown Pelicans. This also relates to ecology. Humans could greatly impact other animals. Like the sad story of how numerous seagulls were dying because humans used the water from their habitat. If we try to eliminate one animal, many others are affected as well. Getting rid of the DDT pesticide did help the Brown Pelicans to return however, we haven't solved what we can do to continue controlling the mosquitoes. In conclusion, the graceful birds are no longer in danger, but we must continue to research a more mutual, environmental solution to these issues.

current event 2

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33918160/ns/technology_and_science-space

Water discovery fuels hope to colonize moon
Finding could mean drinking water, rocket fuel, more for future lunar camps

Since man had touched moon, scientists have believed that the lunar surface was bone dry. But till this day, new observations had been made. The discovery of water found on the moon has given hopes of practical plans to colonize use the moon as a source of mierals. In a crater at the lunar south pole, the LCROSS probe uncover the equivalent of a dozen 2 gallon buckets of ice water. If this is what came from one crater, scientists hypothesize there is more where that came from. Peter Diamandis, a CEO and chairman X Prize Foundation states "The presence of significant quantities of ice on the lunar surface catapults the moon from an interesting waypoint to a critical launching pad for humanity's exploration of the cosmos." "We're entering a new era of lunar exploration — 'Moon 2.0,' in which an international group of companies and governments will use the ice and other unique resources of the moon to help us expand the sphere of human influence, and to help us monitor and protect the Earth." He is basically saying that the discovery of ice on the lunar surface expands the possibilities and benefits of the moon. He believes that the ice has given hope and he wants to investigate the moon more. In addition to the supple water found on the moon, there are possibilities of lunar camps. The lunar water ice can be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen atoms to be used in rocket fuel.

In my opinion,this discovery can lead us to be living on the moon or used as a source for minerals. The was predicted to be a bone dry surface and now it contains abundant lunar ice in the craters. I am very curious of where the hydrogen and oxygen molecules could've come from. Also, if the moon was found not a dry surface, this could mean that other dry and airless planets throughout the solar system can have water as well. I find it amusing how life can be on the moon. If this is possible, I think that scientists should spend money to investigate more with lunar camps. I know that it will take many years to discover if humans are able to live there, but with the evidence of hydrogen and oxygen atoms, there is much hope to a civilization on the lunar surface. In conlusion, the significant aomunt of water found on the moon will give the future many oppertunities.

summer reading question

The novel I read for summer reading was the City of Ember. The author, Jeanne DuPrau's writing shows that she is a woman of wondrous imagination and adventure. The sort of person I imagine the author to be like a person who's personality is very amusing and amiable. Her stories are of intriuging adventures which show that she has a fun personality and artistic imaginition. Her book also shares relationships, and the characters emotions are very descriptively written. This shows her readers that she is affectionate and considerate of others. Her writings also show that she is an entertaining person. I enjoyed the first book of her series and I look foward to reading other amazing books written by Jeanne DuPrau.

bullying(man's inhumanity to man)

If everyone feels that bullying is wrong then why can't society or our own Crossroads community put an end to it?

From the Lord of the Flies, Jack Merridew is the bully, and he teases Piggy. The reason society or our own community can't put an end to bullying is because they cannot control a persons desicion. A bully is insecure and has power from the fear of others. For this reason, not many have the courage to stand up to bullies. It is possible to make independent desicions, but when you are in a group, you feel more secure. The group can influence people to act against their wills through peer pressure. This is why the group of boys and Ralph can't stop Jack, and society can't stop bullying (Lord of the Flies). Piggy is being constantly mocked by his physiacal appearance. The crowd knows that this is wrong however, they all seem to agree with Jack, including Ralph. The fact that he has knife gives him power and respect from others. Society values physical appearance and strength over knowledge, thus agree with Jack more than Piggy. If they were to defend Piggy and leave the norm, you would be seen with a bad reputation (Piggy). So as much as we are encouraged to not bully and stand up for yourself and friends, people don't because of the risk of being bullied as well (Ralph).

how close to the ceiling does a fly have to be before he flips over and lands on the ceiling?

How close to the ceiling does a fly have to be before he flips over and lands on the ceiling?

The fly is a centimeter away.