Ask a Geneticist

While reading these websites, I’ve discovered and learned a lot of interesting facts. For instance: Chimps and humans have a different number of chromosomes, but because they are so similar, they probably have about the same number of genes. A close look at a chimp and human’s chromosomes shows that only one of the human chromosomes is really made up of two of the chimp chromosomes; or vice versa. There often isn’t a relationship between the number of chromosomes and the number of genes. For example, humans have 46, goldfish have 94, and toucan have 106! Geneticists think that the difference between humans and chimps is that the sections of the genome don’t code for genes. These sections direct the activity of the genes in the genome. I’ve also learned that since bacteria makes new bacteria asexually, this means that when they make new bacteria, they just split in two with each half getting a copy of the same DNA. In fact, there is on average 6 million differences between two people’s DNA. We don’t have one long strand of DNA because we need more to increase genetic diversity. Anyway, proteins are the workers in the cell. Almost anything that need doing is done by proteins. They carry our oxygen, help us see, and even think! Genes are organized into groups based on what the genes do for a living. For example, all the genes need to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk, are grouped together on the chromosome. When there is lactose around, all the genes can get used together. Moving on to chromosomes, a chromosome is a package containing a chunk of a genome – that is, it contains some of an organism’s genes. The important word here is “package”: chromosomes help a cell to keep a large amount of genetic information neat, organized, and compact. Lastly, what makes one chromosome different from another is through similar basic appearance. Different chromosomes vary slightly in size and shape. In addition, when chromosomes are stained with fluorescent dyes they develop distinctive patterns of bright dark bands. These are all the interesting facts I discovered and learned while reading these websites.

Ask a Geneticist

Wooden Bowls

My response to this story would be to treat others the way you want to be treated, and set a good example for the generations after you. How I would relate this story to C.A.R.E.S would be responsibility, self-control, and empathy. Responsibility and self-control because you should control yourself and take responsibility in how you act, thinking of others, and the example you set. Empathy because you should be empathetic toward people, and consider how they might feel. This story teaches you that before you do something to someone, consider how you might feel if you were in their shoes.

Basic Genetics

While reading about heredity and traits, I’ve learned lots of interesting facts. While reading “What is heredity?” I’ve learned that the environment we grow up in helps define our traits. For example, while a person’s genes may be a certain hair color, exposure to chemicals or sunlight can change their hair color. Next what I’ve learned about heredity, is that humans have two complete sets of 23 chromosomes. Meaning, there is 46 in total. When parents conceive a child, they can contribute one set to their child. In this way, parents pass genes to the child. I’ve also learned lots of facts while reading “What is a trait?” The instructions encoded in our genes play a role in defining our traits. But the non-genetic (also called “environment”) influences our lives and are just as important in shaping our traits. Sometimes these environmental factors can even change a trait. For instance, Genes determine natural hair/eye color; though exposure to sun or hair dyes can easily change that color. People train their dogs to chase things and bring them back. When you toss the ball, instead of fetching the ball you can teach your dog to roll over and “play dead.” A person may be born with an increased risk or heart disease; you can reduce that risk by eating healthy foods and exercising. Lastly what I’ve learned about traits is that traits influenced by one gene are rare. These are called “single gene traits.” Though most of the time, traits are shaped by more then one gene, and sometimes many. These are called “complex traits.” These are some of the interesting facts that I’ve learned about heredity and traits.

Class Response

In class we’ve learned lots of interesting facts about owl pellets and how to dissect them. As a result, outside of class I’ve learned a few more interesting facts about owl pellets. I’ve learned that owl pellets can be used to teach a part of the natural food chain. The pellet in the owl travels up from the gizzard back to the proventriculus. I did not know that regurgitation often signifies that an owl is ready to eat again, or that when the owl eats more then one prey item within several hours, the various remains are consolidated into one pellet. Lastly, I’ve learned that the pellet cycle is regular. These are a few facts that I’ve learned about owl pellets outside of class.


http://www.owlpages.com/articles.php?section=owl+physiology&title=Digestion
Source: www.owlpages.com


http://www.col-ed.org/cur/sci/sci54.txt
Source: www.col-ed.org

Current Event #2

My summary of this article is that in Cape Canaveral, Florida – The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis lifted off its seaside launch pad on Monday. It was loaded with spare parts to keep the International Space shuttles flying after shuttles are retired next year. This is NASA’s fifth and final flight of the year. This flight began at 2:28 p.m. EST when Atlantis’s twin booster rockets ignited, sending the 24 year old ship through partly cloudy skies to begin it’s 31st journey in to orbit. The shuttle carries 30,000 pounds (13,610 kg) of equipment. Most of this equipment is too big to be launched by the Russian, European, and Japanese cargo ships. All of which is expected to keep the station supplied after the shuttles are retired. This mission by Atlantis is scheduled to last 11 days. NASA plans five more flights to complete the station. The shuttle is being replaced by a capsule style spacecraft called Orion that can travel to the moon and other places in the solar system in addition to the space station, which orbits about 225 miles above earth. The station, a $100 billion project of 16 nations, has been under construction for more then a decade. Atlantis’s has a six man crew, which includes: Commander Charles Hobaugh, pilot Barry Wilmore, floght engineer Randy Bresnick, lead spacewalker Michael Foreman and astronauts Leland Melvin and Robert Satcher. This is Wilmore and Bresnick’s first spaceflight. A flight engineer named Nicole Scott is joining the crew for the flight to return to the space station. She is the last station astronaut slated to fly on the shuttle.

My opinion on this article is that I think all of these things about the Atlantis are very cool and interesting. Also that Atlantis’s twin booster is 24 years old. The fact that the shuttle carries 30,000 pounds (13,610 kg) of equipment is surprising to me because that seems extremely heavy, even for a space shuttle. The Russian, European, and Japanese cargo ships cannot launch this equipment because it’s too big for them. And so I wonder who is going to keep the station supplied after the shuttle are retired. This mission is scheduled to last 11 days; I thought it would be scheduled to last longer. I think it’s good that the shuttle is being replaced because who knows what could happen with something that is starting to get old. I think the $100 billion project of 16 nations that has been under construction for more then a decade is amazing. And I hope the six man crew does an excellent job on their mission. That is my opinion on this article.

Current Event #1

My summary of this article is that in London, a bunch of scientists wrote a letter to the government. This letter was about the government’s decision to force the resignation of David Nutt, the government’s chief drug policy adviser. The government wanted to force the resignation of David Nutt after he said the government had overstated the risks of marijuana – a drug he called far less dangerous then alcohol. These scientists are asking the government to agree to a set of principles. The set of principles are asking to guarantee from official interference, liberty to discuss their work in public, and the right to have their recommendations heard. The government needs the help of scientists of 75 official committees to advise it on some issues. This includes drugs, disease, and the environment, according to Dr.Evan Harris, a lawmaker with the opposition Liberal Democrats. The government rejected the council’s advice when officials stiffened the penalties for marijuana possession earlier this year. They argued that the science surrounding marijuana was too uncertain to take risks.
My opinion on this article is that the government should carefully think before quickly forcing the resignation of David Nutt. I think they should have thought carefully and maybe even do some research about his statement about marijuana. If they found out he was right, they could have done something about it. Though if he was wrong, they could have had the resignation. I think the principles the scientists are asking from the government are fair. Also, I do agree with Dr.Evan Harris that the government does need help from scientists on issues including drugs, disease, and the environment. Though maybe it was a good decision to reject the council’s advice when officials stiffened the penalties for marijuana possession earlier this year. Considering the science surrounding marijuana is too uncertain to take risks. That is my opinion on this article about marijuana and the government in London.


Source:msnbc

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33723358/ns/technology_and_science-science/