Genetics Vocabulary Test Corrections 12/13

Explanation: I completed the quiz and rushed to submit it right as we needed to move on. However when I looked back up to my computer it didn't load properly. So I reloaded the page and found that the answers were blank and it had erased all of the work I had done. Seeing that I couldn't redo the work because we had moved on to something different, I decided to le
ave it and do a regrade.

*For the first question, the exact definitions that were originally provided weren't there when I went over the quiz results so my definitions will not be the exact same as the original definitions.

1. Match the vocabulary words with the correct definitions

a. Genotype:  A genotype is the pair of alleles or each form of a gene.
b. Phenotype: A phenotype is a visible trait or characteristic of an individual organism.
c. Allele: An allele is each form of a gene.
d. Homozygous: Homozygous is a term that describes having two of the same allele for a trait.
e. Heterozygous: Heterozygous is a term that describes having two different alleles for a trait.
f. Dominant Trait: A dominant trait is when a single copy of its gene is inherited.
g. Recessive Trait: A recessive trait is when a copy of the recessive gene form is inherited from each parent.

2. Mendel concluded that the alleles for tall stems in pea plants are dominant. Thus, in crossing a purebred tall pea plant with a purebred short pea plant should result in

A. All tall plants
B. All short plants
C. All medium height plants
D. Half short and half tall plants

I chose A. because when the alleles for tall stem in pea plants are dominant, it doesn't matter what is in crossing with a purebred tall pea plant because the offspring will always be tall. In this situation, the short purebred effects will not be seen in the heterozygous offspring. In order for the pea plant offspring to be tall, it can either have one tall allele or two tall alleles in its genes because the tall trait is dominant. For the plant to be short, it would require two short alleles because it is recessive. Since the alleles of all of the offspring will be something like Tt, the offspring are guaranteed to be tall.

Charity Fair 12/11

(Image from drive)

Summary

         During the annual Charity Fair project, I learned many things from most of my classes. In math, I learned how to calculate the cost and profit of my group's product. I learned how to calculate how much all the materials would cost altogether to make 5 products, 10 products, 100 products, and 1000 products. As well as I learned how to calculate how much money would be given to the actual charity after paying for all of the expenses. In addition, I learned how to find the statistics of my group's chosen charity. To do this, I would have to look through the organization's tax forms for several different years. I learned what line the revenue or how much the charity earned was listed and what line showed the charity's administrative costs. We would have to subtract the administrative costs by the revenue to get how much the organization actually gives to the cause. In Science, I learned how to put together an instructable that gave the step by step process of how to create my group's product. In Social Science, I learned the correct way of choosing an organization to support and how to research that certain organization. In Language Arts, I learned how to create an Ignite presentation to convince the audience to vote for the charity my group chose to support. Lastly in Elective, I learned together a tri-fold to present while selling our product.

Backward-Looking

           Since I was fortunate enough to be apart of the Adventure stem program last year, I had the opportunity to experience what Charity Fair is like. Having the chance to participate in Charity Fair a year ahead really encouraged me to get better at this type of work. I believe I improved my presentation as well as my product. For example, I think I improved my presentation because I now understand how to properly put together and present an ignite presentation. I now know that an ignite presentation should strictly only be pictures, should only limit to one picture each slide, and should be only fifteen seconds long. Last year, I made the mistake of having bullet points and multiple images and lines on one slide. However this year, I only put single images on each slide so the audience could focus easily on each slide and didn't have to look at so many images. In addition, I didn't put any text on any of e slides and limited to a few lines for each slide so it would fit the fifteen seconds. For my product, I learned that the customers mainly bought items that were related to the current season. By making my product Christmas related, I sold a lot more items than last year.

Inward-Looking

          I feel that this piece of work my group and I put together was great. We did everything perfectly as planned and made little mistakes. I particularly like creating our product because I thought that it was really creative and unlike anybody else's products. As well as my group and I had a lot of fun putting together the jars since they were all different themes. The only thing I disliked about the outcome of the Charity Fair project was the ignite presentation. This is because I felt that our ignite presentation had too many lines for each slide. When reading our script while presenting we had to rush a bit. This made it hard for the audience to understand and take in what we were saying. In addition I believe that we could have put more heart felt images that would really make the audience think about our charity in a whole other level.

Outward-Looking

        My group and I didn't do some aspects of the project the way other groups did theirs. For instance, we did our presentation and product differently. Our presentation was different than others because we chose to support a charity that no other groups chose and chose to support a topic no other groups supported, which was women equality. In addition, we didn't put the exact same information on our presentation and we obviously included different pictures than others. For our product, we made something no other group made. We made mini ecosystems. These ecosystems were sold in mason jars and came in four different themes. Including a winter/snow ecosystem, an ocean ecosystem, a forest ecosystem, and a fall ecosystem. 

Forward-Looking 

         If I had the chance to do this project over again, I would change our presentation. The reason being is that I felt we had too many lines for each slide. I would change this by cutting the amount of words we had to say so we didn't have to rush when reading our script. As well as I felt we could have put better images on each slide. I think we could have put more heart felt images that would make the audience really think about our charity. Other than this, I wouldn't have changed anything else because I believe that the other aspects of the project went smoothly.

Genetics and DNA 12/4

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Have you ever wondered why you and your mom or dad share the same features? The factor that makes you and your parents act and look alike is genetics. Genetics is the name for the directions for only one trait of a living thing. You might be wondering how genetics is able to affect you, this is because of DNA. DNA is the directions an organism's cells follow that tell the living thing how to grow and what it will do. DNA contain nucleic acids which are four molecules you require to survive; Cytosine, Thymine, Adenine, and Guanine. They are instructions that make all organisms appear and behave a certain way. These nucleic acids make up the layers or "steps of the ladder" of DNA. The two structures that hold them together are composed of phosphate and deoxyribose.

S&EP - SP7: Engaging in argument from evidence

I used evidence to defend my explanation. I answered a packet of questions about DNA and genetics, providing a documentary that my class watched as evidence. I formulated evidence based on solid data when I stated that Tay-Sachs disease is caused by only one bad letter in a baby's DNA using the information that scientists researched about DNA and Tay-Sachs disease as evidence. I examined my own understanding in light of the evidence. I used to think that DNA was simple to research, but because of the video now I think that DNA could take decades to research without modern technology. I collaborated with my peers in searching for the best explanation. I did some research on the subject in which the packet was based on which I discussed with my table group. Together we figured out that the answers to the questions on the packet.

XCC: Structure and Function

The structure of DNA greatly affects the function of how cells decipher the DNA and how the organism will develop and behave. This is because our cells decipher the nitrogenous bases of our DNA to know exactly how and what to construct. This means that if there is one small problem in a single letter of our DNA, it can greatly affect the function of the organism. For example, in Tay-Sachs disease, it only takes one malfunction in one letter of a baby's DNA to cause the baby to slowly become brain dead.

Project Blog - Human Body 2.0 Redesign 11/20

Summary:

         During the Human Body 2.0 Redesign project, I learned a variety of specific information about all of the body systems. This including the Digestive System, the Skeletal System, the Muscular System, the Circulatory System, the Respiratory System, the Immune System, the Urinary System, and the Nervous System. Because of this project, I now have knowledge on the detailed structure and function of all of the different body systems. Along with information on how the structure of the system effects it's function. In addition, I also now know information on the major organs of each body system and how these organs function. As well as I have knowledge on how the systems of the body interact and work with each other in many different ways to perform a variety of different functions. However for the group project, my group and I really focused on the condition of Acid Reflux. From filling out our Human Body 2.0 Redesign Brief, writing the redesign essay, and creating a presentation to share with the class, I learned a lot about the process of how Acid Reflux occurs. Along with the causes, symptoms, and restrictions of Acid Reflux. In addition, I collected a lot of knowledge on how Acid Reflux can be prevented as well as how to reduce the risk of Acid Reflux while brainstorming and coming up with ideas of how my team and I could possibly redesign the esophagus and LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter) to eliminate the condition all together.

Backward-Looking:

        While working on the Human Body 2.0 Redesign Brief, my group and I ran into one single major problem that really delayed our productiveness during the project. This problem forced us to do a load of extra work outside of school. The problem that we encountered was the fact that a team last year had the same redesign idea. This meant that they did the same project we were planning to do. Once we were allowed to see their Redesign Brief, we instantly panicked. At this moment we should have been finishing up our Redesign Brief, but now we had to change our idea! After days of getting frustrated and confused while trying to brainstorm ideas of how we were going to make our redesign totally different than last year's team, we finally realized that changing the redesign wasn't our only option. We could also build upon the redesign of last year's team and improve their idea. While only having a day to think, we came up with the "Goose" muscle. The "Goose" muscle is a 2.5 inch long ring of smooth muscle. This muscle is located right above the LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter).  The function of this muscle is to contract from top to bottom and essentially push acid coming up from the stomach, back down and out of the esophagus. This action will help reduce the risk of Acid Reflux and heartburn.

Inward-Looking:

       Looking at my team and I's work, I feel that we did a great job at all of the aspects of the project. I like how we included a lot of detailed information in the Human Body 2.0 Redesign Brief and the Redesign essay. As well as I liked how our idea for the redesign was well though out and clear especially with what little time and lots of rush we had to come up with a redesign. In addition, I liked how we included specific information both in our redesign idea and in the other context and details of Acid Reflux. Such as the symptoms and cause of Acid Reflux. These components that we included really makes our redesign idea easy to understand and very convincing. However, the only part of our project that I disliked was our model. It was a little sloppy and incorrectly painted. Although this aspect of our project was optional and not mandatory, I still wish we had taken more time and effort in the model to make it look presentable and nice. The part of our project that I enjoyed was how we included a skit in the beginning of our presentation. This skit was really fun to perform and it certainly got the audience's attention. Which helped get them excited about our project and engaged ad well ad interested in our presentation and redesign.

Outward-Looking:

      I would say that my team did our work both mostly different than the other groups did their work. My group and I did do our project different than other groups did their projects because my group executed our presentation using power point and slides while other groups decided to create a video to present their work. Although some groups did however decide to use power point to present their projects as well, our presentation was different because we sort of made an ignite presentation. My group and I only put images and visuals on our slides, while other groups put bullet points and notes on their slides and didn't have any visuals at all. I think that my group did do our work some what similar than how the other groups did their work because we did use power point just as some of the groups did and we did base what we were going to say in our presentation off of a script like some other groups.

Forward-Looking:

     Just as I mentioned before, the only aspect of my team and I's project that I didn't completely like was our model. This piece is the only thing that I would improve if I had the chance to redo the project. If I had the chance to do this piece over again, I would start making the model earlier on into our project. Firstly, this would give more time to do the model and hopefully take away the sloppiness of the project because of the rush to finish. In addition, this would allow more time for the clay that we used for the model to dry. Which would allow us to be patient and wait until the clay dried to paint. That component would make the paint job of the model more neat altogether. Lastly, I would also try to paint the model more less sloppy. As well as I would try to pay attention to the colors of the real organs of the human body that we included in our model, and try to follow those color patterns while painting our model to make the model more realistic.

Acid Reflux 11/12

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Acid Reflux is a very common condition in which acid gastric fluid regurgitates into the esophagus. As the acid backs up into the esophagus it irritates the lining of the esophagus, which most commonly causes discomfort in the upper abdomen, heartburn, nausea, and dry cough. Acid Reflux occurs when the upper part of the stomach and Lower Esophagus Sphincter (LES) move above the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates your stomach from your chest. Normally, the diaphragm helps keep acid in your stomach. However if you have a hiatal hernia, acid can move up into your esophagus and cause symptoms of Acid Reflux. There are more than 3 million U.S. cases of Acid Reflux a year. In addition, this condition most commonly affects newborns of the ages 0-2 years old, teens of the ages 14-18 years old, and adults of the ages 19+. 

S&EP - SP7: Engaging in argument from evidence

I used evidence to defend my explanation. I answered a document called, "Human Body 2.0 Design Brief", providing websites where I researched information, as evidence. I formulated evidence based on solid data when I stated that Acid Reflux is a very common condition, using information that I researched as evidence. Information such as, "there are more than 3 million United States cases of Acid Reflux a year". I examined my own understanding in light of the evidence. I used to think that Esophageal Cancer wasn't very critical and serious, but because of researching this topic, now I think that Esophageal Cancer is one of the most dangerous cancers that the body can contract. I collaborated with my peers in searching for the best explanation. I did some research on Acid Reflux which I discussed with my project team. Together we figured out that Acid Reflux is a very common condition that has many painful symptoms and restricts everyday activities.

XCC: Cause and Effect

The cause and effect relationship that occurs at the condition of Acid Reflux is when the action of Acid Reflux causes acid to regurgitate into the esophagus, this acid effects the esophagus by irritating it. More specifically, when the upper part of the stomach and the Lower Esophagus Sphincter move above the diaphragm and the diaphragm doesn't perform it's function of keeping acid in the stomach, properly. It causes acid to freely move up the esophagus and irritate the lining of the esophagus. This irritation most commonly causes the symptoms of discomfort in the upper abdomen, heartburn, nausea, and dry cough. This information of the cause and effect relationship of the Acid Reflux can help me "take over the world" by giving me some specific details and information on the condition of Acid Reflux and the esophagus. This knowledge can possibly help me in future education and career, especially if I decide to specialize in the topic of the human body.

WAC - Is being a vegetarian healthier than being an omnivore?

      Living a vegetarian lifestyle is healthier than being an omnivore. This is because having a plant-based diet is more beneficial to your health than eating meat, for many reasons. One reason being is that when you are a vegetarian, you consume more fiber and antioxidant rich produce. In addition, avoiding meat reduces risk of disease, such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and chronic disease. Lastly, being a vegetarian helps avoid obesity by keeping your weight down.

      A benefit of being a vegetarian is that you have a plant-based diet. This helps your body consume more vegetables, as well as no meat. Living this lifestyle helps you intake more fiber and antioxidant rich produce. In the article by ProCon.org, titled, "Should people become vegetarian?", it states that according to the American Dietetic Association, having a vegetarian diet can meet protein requirements of eating meat. In addition, it can provide essential amino-acids and phyto chemicals, which improves health. This proves that being a vegetarian can provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of the body.

       Being a vegetarian also means that you are reducing risk of many diseases by having a plant-based diet. These diseases include, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and chronic disease. In the article, "Is it healthier to be a vegetarian or omnivore?", by SENCER, it states that being a vegetarian can reduce the risk of chronic disease, cardiovascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease linked to fat of animal product. This is because, avoiding meat means that you are reducing the intake of unhealthy fats and saturated fats. In addition, in the article, "Should people become vegetarian?" by ProCon.org, it states that being a vegetarian also reduces the chance of kidney stones and gallstones. This is because diets high in animal protein cause the body to excrete calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. These are the main components of kidney stones and gallstones. So because you avoid meat when being a vegetarian, you are also avoiding the components of kidney stones and gallstones.

         Going vegetarian means that you are converting to a plant-based diet. This helps vegetarians reduce the risk of obesity and being over weight. In the article, "Is it healthier to be a vegetarian or an omnivore?" by SENCER, it states that because vegetarians have a plant-based diet and are avoiding meat, it reduces the risk of being over weight and obesity. Just as avoiding unhealthy fats and saturated fats help reduce cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and chronic disease, it also reduces the risk of obesity. This is because when you are vegetarian you are avoiding meat and animal product altogether. Which gets rid of the consumption of unhealthy and saturated fats.

          Reading this essay, omnivores might say that being a vegetarian with a plant-based diet means that you lack in vitamins, minerals, protein, and calories. Such as  B12, iron, zinc, and vital Omega 3 fats. This is because being a vegetarian means that you are avoiding meat and because meat is such a great provider in protein, it means that you lack in all the protein meat provides. However, this isn't much of a problem for vegetarians although it may seem like a big deal. The reason being is that there are many ways a vegetarian can easily avoid meat while still getting those vital nutrients and proteins. One way is that a vegetarian can take extra supplements  to replace the deficiency in these nutrients. For example, a vegetarian can take B12 and Omega 3 supplements. In addition, a vegetarian can also eat more servings of food to make up for the lack of nutrients in only one serving of food. Also, a vegetarian can eat more legumes, soy, and nuts.

         All of the points I have presented are examples of how having a plant-based diet and avoiding meat is better for your health. I hope that you will consider the benefits of vegetarianism. As you have read, vegetarianism means that you are consuming more fiber and antioxidant rich produce. Along with reducing the risk of many diseases. In addition, vegetarianism keeps you healthy by keeping your weight down and reducing the risk of obesity.   

The Urinary System

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The Urinary System removes liquid waste from the blood, in the form of urine. The Urinary System produces erythropoietin, a hormone that aids the formation of red blood cells. The Urinary System also filters body fluids by pulling harmful molecules out of the bloodstream and leaving the good molecules. The Urinary System keeps a stable balance of salts and other substances in the blood. In addition, this system helps control hydration levels of the body. When your body is lacking water, the Urinary System creates less urine, so the body losses less water.

The major organs of the Urinary System are:

Two Kidneys: These Kidneys extract waste from blood by pulling out harmful molecules from the bloodstream and leaving the good molecules. In addition, the Kidneys help balance body fluids by creating less urine when the body is lacking water. Also, the Kidneys form urine to get rid of waste from the body.

Bladder: The main purpose of the Bladder is to store urine. This allows infrequent and voluntary urination.

Urethra: In females, the Urethra tube conveys urine from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. In males, the Urethra also functions as a urinary canal and as a passageway for cells and secretions, for various reproductive organs.

Two Ureters: The two Ureters are attached to each kidney. The function of the Ureters is to carry urine from the Kidney to the Urinary Bladder.

The Urinary System works very closely with the Circulatory System and the Endocrine System. The Urinary System interacts with the Circulatory System because blood that circulates through the body, via the Circulatory System, passes through the Kidneys of the Urinary System. As this happens, the Kidneys filter the blood by removing urea, uric acid, and water. Most of this water is put back into the system. The Urinary System interacts with the Endocrine System because the Endocrine System is the major controller of the Urinary System. As the levels of compounds and fluids are monitored, kidney function must be constantly altered to provide the best internal environment for the cells. The kidneys are also connected to the Endocrine System because the adrenal gland position of the top of the kidney. 

Analogy

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The Kidneys are like a filtration system because ...

• it filters liquid
• it has a safety benefit
• it removes bacteria

The Kidneys are like a filtration system because both filter liquids. The Kidneys filter blood as it circulates like how a filtration system usually filters water. In addition, the Kidneys are like a filtration system because both filter for a benefit. The Kidneys filters blood so that it is safe for the body. This is like how a filtration system filters water so it is safe for us to consume. Lastly, the Kidneys are like a filtration system because both remove bacteria. The Kidneys remove harmful molecules from the bloodstream as a filtration system removes bacteria such as Cholera.

Structure and Function

The Urinary Bladder is a muscular sac. The function of the Urinary Bladder is to store urine. This muscle that the sac is made up of, is expandable. When the Bladder is full, it expands. However when the Bladder is empty, it is the size of a pear. Knowing this information, I believe that because the Urinary Bladder is the structure of a sac, it is able to carry fluids like urine. In addition, I believe that because the Urinary Bladder is entirely made up of muscle, that it is able to expand or stretch when full of urine. As well as, shrink or go back to it's original size when it is empty. I believe that the structure of the Urinary Bladder allows it to be responsible for storing urine. knowing this information, 

Sources:
http://www.biology4kids.com/files/systems_excretory.html
http://www.kidneyhealthcare.com/2010/02/organs-of-urinary-system-and-their.html