Self Evaluation:
1. What were the 3 aspects of the assignments I've submitted that I am most proud of? I liked it all. I had a lot going on and yet I managed to get it all finished and done correctly.
2. What 2 aspects of my submitted assignments do I believe could have used some improvements? Perhaps the lab, but I did it as completely and correctly as I knew how. I just wish I could have done more of it! It was so fascinating to see how many species you see in just one day!
3. What do I believe my overall grade should be for this unit? I believe I deserve an A. :)
Unit Evaluation:
1. At what moment during this unit did you feel most engaged with the course? Again, I'd have to say that labs because they make you realize what it is that you are learning and it gives you a real hands on approach to the concept.
2. At what moment did you feel most distanced from the course?
This unit kept my attention because it was the last unit. I didn't want to stray away from it but it was difficult doing this along with two other classes but other than that I felt pretty engaged in the course.
3. What action did the teacher take during this unit that find most affirming and helpful? The e-mails with the countdowns and reassurance helped a lot. They made me realize that you wanted us to finish. It was a good ego booster.
4. What action was most puzzling/confusing? None. This unit was pretty self-explanatory.
5. What about this unit surprised you the most? I did all of this fairly quickly, yet, I learned sooooo much!!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Ethical Issues Essay #4
Fertility Regulations
Every individual has their right to do as they see fit. However, this freedom may be taken away if that individual is abusing their rights and is posing a threat to others. Should the individual be given the freedom to reproduce as many times as they choose or should everyone be placed on birth control and given strict opportunities, if any, to reproduce? Do high fertility rates pose a threat to the world's resources or will they just be a means of a new way of life? That is the question, now let me give you my say on the matter.
The problem is, we cannot see into the future. If we could, then maybe this wouldn't be a problem any more and we would already have our set solution. Now, since we live in an imperfect world, we can only study history and check statistics and guess as to what we think will be the best for our society and the world. Back 100's of years ago, there were theories that the population size would soon reach it's peak and human life will cease to exist because the food on this planet would run out. People also suspect that the world's oil will too run out. Is this true? How much fossil fuel and food could we possible expect is on this planet?
Well, it is the year 2007 and we are still here. The human race is anything but extinct and is thriving more than ever before. I believe that with more life, we will have more power to change the ways of this world. If there are more people, we will find new ways to make room for them all. It is the content people in this world that do nothing and the people that aren't satisfied that make all the difference. When people want change bad enough, they make it so for themselves. I believe that there will be a way to change this world to produce more resources than we can imagine today.
Now, I do not recommend that we go haywire and give birth to 20 children per couple but I do believe that with a slight regulation of fertility rates, some information on HIV/AIDS, other STD's, birth control, condoms, etc., the world will be much better off and ready to make a difference in this world. People shouldn't need to be worrying how they are going to put food on the table for their kids and how they will even survive and keep a family together. There needs to be information available to people to let them hopefully make the right choice for themselves.
Should there be strict watch on fertility rates? No, I don't believe that would be necessary. If people want it bad enough, they will make things work. I believe it is our job to understand this trend and realize that there are just too many of us on this planet too worry about. We need to understand what is happening and start making plans as to new inventions and resources that will be useful in our future world.
Every individual has their right to do as they see fit. However, this freedom may be taken away if that individual is abusing their rights and is posing a threat to others. Should the individual be given the freedom to reproduce as many times as they choose or should everyone be placed on birth control and given strict opportunities, if any, to reproduce? Do high fertility rates pose a threat to the world's resources or will they just be a means of a new way of life? That is the question, now let me give you my say on the matter.
The problem is, we cannot see into the future. If we could, then maybe this wouldn't be a problem any more and we would already have our set solution. Now, since we live in an imperfect world, we can only study history and check statistics and guess as to what we think will be the best for our society and the world. Back 100's of years ago, there were theories that the population size would soon reach it's peak and human life will cease to exist because the food on this planet would run out. People also suspect that the world's oil will too run out. Is this true? How much fossil fuel and food could we possible expect is on this planet?
Well, it is the year 2007 and we are still here. The human race is anything but extinct and is thriving more than ever before. I believe that with more life, we will have more power to change the ways of this world. If there are more people, we will find new ways to make room for them all. It is the content people in this world that do nothing and the people that aren't satisfied that make all the difference. When people want change bad enough, they make it so for themselves. I believe that there will be a way to change this world to produce more resources than we can imagine today.
Now, I do not recommend that we go haywire and give birth to 20 children per couple but I do believe that with a slight regulation of fertility rates, some information on HIV/AIDS, other STD's, birth control, condoms, etc., the world will be much better off and ready to make a difference in this world. People shouldn't need to be worrying how they are going to put food on the table for their kids and how they will even survive and keep a family together. There needs to be information available to people to let them hopefully make the right choice for themselves.
Should there be strict watch on fertility rates? No, I don't believe that would be necessary. If people want it bad enough, they will make things work. I believe it is our job to understand this trend and realize that there are just too many of us on this planet too worry about. We need to understand what is happening and start making plans as to new inventions and resources that will be useful in our future world.
Online Lab #8
The World vs. France (Low fertility rates)
The World vs. Mali (High fertility rates)
1. What was your high fertility rate country and what was its fertility rate? Mali was my high fertility rate country of 7.30.
2. What was your low fertility rate country and what was its fertility rate? France was my low fertility rate country of 1.80.
3. The initial demographic "shape" of your high fertility rate country should have been a pyramid, with high population in young age groups. Explain why high fertility rate results in a high percentage of young people in the population. How does this affect future population growth?
High fertility rates simply mean that people are having a lot of babies. When those people have babies, their kids have lots of babies and their kids after that will have lots of babies. This keeps the population growth exponential and is considered skyrocketing. This leads to many young people.
4. Your low fertility rate country might have had a more oval-shaped curve with high population in middle age groups. This is especially exaggerated if the fertility rate is below 2.00. Explain why low fertility rate leads to lots of middle-aged people.
Low fertility rate means that people aren't having as many kids. If they aren't having 2 or more as their fertility rate, they are not producing enough children to replace themselves when they die. For instance, in France, they are only producing 1.8 children on average and are dying out, so to speak. On the otherhand, the Muslims are coming into France and they are multiplying. So who may overcome that country? Hmm.
5. Write ten adjectives or descriptive phrases for what you might expect life, people's attitudes, conditions on the streets, etc. will be like in each of those situations. Imagine a situation with lots of middle-aged and older people in the population and write ten quick "brain-storm" descriptors for you think it would be like (Prescott, Arizona?). Then do the same for a situation with lots of children in the population.
For an area with lots of young people:
Crime rates
Drinking
Smoking
Illegal activity
Decrease in standard of living
Car accidents/Freak accidents
Bankruptcies
Divorces
Rude behavior
Cursing
An area with lots of old people:
Clean
Quiet
Strict
Boring
Higher standards of living
Bill pay-hospitals-lots of em
High insurace prices
Less crime
More traffic
Lots of caregiving agencies and volunteer work
Lab Project #4
1. Canis lupis familiaris - Blue Merle Sheltie - Mutualistic - Yes: Dogs are man's best friend. They make us happy and we in turn feed and take care of them.
2. Family formicidae - Ants - Mutualistic - No: Though ants may be beneficial to plants, they often are seen as a pest that steals away your picnic food.
3. Cimicidae - Bed Bug - Parasitic - No: Bed bugs feed off of humans and are not beneficial to us. There's even a scare that they are coming back to AZ!
4. Felis sylvestris catus - American shorthair cat- Mutualistic - Yes: Cats may be lazy but we domesticated them for a reason. Cats provide some people with happiness and others with allergies, they also feed off of mice and birds sometimes.
5. Black widow - Predator - No: Black widows are predators because they hurt people and are highly feared of...unless you catch these things for a living! :)
6. Columbia fasciata - Pigeons - Mutualistic - No: It seems that all they do is poop on the railings but pigeons do eat rodents and serve some purpose to us.
7. Coccinellidae - Lady bug - Mutualistic - No: The lady bug may serve as a form of entertainment for some people but other than that they just eat other bugs.
8. Carabidae - Ground beetle - Mutualistic - No: Though these beetles have a defense against humans with their stench, they are no real threat to us and they eat other bugs along the way.
9. Lactoca Sativa - Lettuce - Commensal - No: We eat it! We are the predator and they are the prey. We help it grow and nurture it until it is time to eat it, then we get nourishment from it. (as do various bugs)
10. Micruroides eurykanthus - Arizona Coral Snake - Mutualistic - Yes/No: A snake may be kept as a pet. They will eat rats and mice.
11. Culiciade - Mosquito - Parasitic - No: This species also feeds off of us, by biting and eating our blood! We definately do not benefit, but the mosquito does.
12. Cactus peromyscus eremicus - Cactus - Commensal - No: Cactuses grow and actually provide life and energy to those that feed upon it.
13. M. Mexicanus - Wasps - Mutualistic - No: These things hurt! They are like silent predators to humans with allergies!
14. Heloderma suspectum - Gila monster - Predator - No/Yes: When these things bite, it isn't likely they are going to let go. But fear not! You are not as likely to run into one unless you are out in the desert or at a zoo.
15. Felis concolor - Mountain lion - Predator - No: Mountain lions used to always roam around our house at night when we first moved here and there weren't many houses around...about 12 years ago. These will eat you if you aren't careful.
16. Canis latrans say - Coyote - Mutualistic/Predator - No: Coyotes generally travel in packs and will attack if hungry but if you stay out of their way, you should be okay.
17. Antilocapra americana - Antelope - Mutualistic - No: Antelope generally run around and are no harm to people.
18. Taxidea taxus - Badger - Mutualistic - No: These are ugly animals that are also quite viscious. Badgers don't want to lose and are not recommended highly to have as a pet.
19. Geococcyx californianus - Roadrunner - Mutualistic - No: Roadrunners are swift little birds that just roam around looking for bugs to eat.
20. Pituophis melanoleucus daudin - Bullsnake/Gopher snake - Mutualistic - No: These aren't necessarily dangerous to humans either, but like any other animal, you don't want to play around with them and get it mad or you may come out bitten.
21. Equus caballus - Horse - Mutualistic - Yes: Horses are thought of as pets in the fashion that they even have their own sporting games. Horses are almost like dogs when it comes to man's best friend.
22. Cophosaurus texanus - Lizard - Mutualistic - Yes: Lizards serve as pets for many young boys. They do not harm us and we simply like to observe them. They eat many insects that may be bothersome to us.
23. Lepus califonicus - Jack Rabbit - Commensal - Yes: They eat many other organisms such as various plant-life. The jack rabbit is fast and could serve as a pet.
24. Homo sapien - Human - Commensal - Yes: The food we eat mostly is from other organisms.
25. Bos Taurus - Beef - Commensal - Yes: We eat it and it comes from cows!!
26. Opodiphthera eucalypti - Moth - Symbiotic - No: Though they may be freaky, moths don't really do anything to us, just serve as food to other organisms.
27. Anisoptera Carnivorous - Dragon fly - Mutualistic - No: These help get rid of other insects.
28. M. sanguinipes - Grasshopper - Commensal - No: These hoppers may serve as food for some people and other animals but in the U.S. they are mostly just bugs that disturb people.
As you can see we are all part of a large ecosystem full of life that we may not notice on a daily basis but just as we do they live, eat, sleep, mate, and die. Evolution has provided us with so much diversity and it's that diversity that we want to keep in this world. So next time you walk out the door go ahead and see how many different species you see in a day!
2. Family formicidae - Ants - Mutualistic - No: Though ants may be beneficial to plants, they often are seen as a pest that steals away your picnic food.
3. Cimicidae - Bed Bug - Parasitic - No: Bed bugs feed off of humans and are not beneficial to us. There's even a scare that they are coming back to AZ!
4. Felis sylvestris catus - American shorthair cat- Mutualistic - Yes: Cats may be lazy but we domesticated them for a reason. Cats provide some people with happiness and others with allergies, they also feed off of mice and birds sometimes.
5. Black widow - Predator - No: Black widows are predators because they hurt people and are highly feared of...unless you catch these things for a living! :)
6. Columbia fasciata - Pigeons - Mutualistic - No: It seems that all they do is poop on the railings but pigeons do eat rodents and serve some purpose to us.
7. Coccinellidae - Lady bug - Mutualistic - No: The lady bug may serve as a form of entertainment for some people but other than that they just eat other bugs.
8. Carabidae - Ground beetle - Mutualistic - No: Though these beetles have a defense against humans with their stench, they are no real threat to us and they eat other bugs along the way.
9. Lactoca Sativa - Lettuce - Commensal - No: We eat it! We are the predator and they are the prey. We help it grow and nurture it until it is time to eat it, then we get nourishment from it. (as do various bugs)
10. Micruroides eurykanthus - Arizona Coral Snake - Mutualistic - Yes/No: A snake may be kept as a pet. They will eat rats and mice.
11. Culiciade - Mosquito - Parasitic - No: This species also feeds off of us, by biting and eating our blood! We definately do not benefit, but the mosquito does.
12. Cactus peromyscus eremicus - Cactus - Commensal - No: Cactuses grow and actually provide life and energy to those that feed upon it.
13. M. Mexicanus - Wasps - Mutualistic - No: These things hurt! They are like silent predators to humans with allergies!
14. Heloderma suspectum - Gila monster - Predator - No/Yes: When these things bite, it isn't likely they are going to let go. But fear not! You are not as likely to run into one unless you are out in the desert or at a zoo.
15. Felis concolor - Mountain lion - Predator - No: Mountain lions used to always roam around our house at night when we first moved here and there weren't many houses around...about 12 years ago. These will eat you if you aren't careful.
16. Canis latrans say - Coyote - Mutualistic/Predator - No: Coyotes generally travel in packs and will attack if hungry but if you stay out of their way, you should be okay.
17. Antilocapra americana - Antelope - Mutualistic - No: Antelope generally run around and are no harm to people.
18. Taxidea taxus - Badger - Mutualistic - No: These are ugly animals that are also quite viscious. Badgers don't want to lose and are not recommended highly to have as a pet.
19. Geococcyx californianus - Roadrunner - Mutualistic - No: Roadrunners are swift little birds that just roam around looking for bugs to eat.
20. Pituophis melanoleucus daudin - Bullsnake/Gopher snake - Mutualistic - No: These aren't necessarily dangerous to humans either, but like any other animal, you don't want to play around with them and get it mad or you may come out bitten.
21. Equus caballus - Horse - Mutualistic - Yes: Horses are thought of as pets in the fashion that they even have their own sporting games. Horses are almost like dogs when it comes to man's best friend.
22. Cophosaurus texanus - Lizard - Mutualistic - Yes: Lizards serve as pets for many young boys. They do not harm us and we simply like to observe them. They eat many insects that may be bothersome to us.
23. Lepus califonicus - Jack Rabbit - Commensal - Yes: They eat many other organisms such as various plant-life. The jack rabbit is fast and could serve as a pet.
24. Homo sapien - Human - Commensal - Yes: The food we eat mostly is from other organisms.
25. Bos Taurus - Beef - Commensal - Yes: We eat it and it comes from cows!!
26. Opodiphthera eucalypti - Moth - Symbiotic - No: Though they may be freaky, moths don't really do anything to us, just serve as food to other organisms.
27. Anisoptera Carnivorous - Dragon fly - Mutualistic - No: These help get rid of other insects.
28. M. sanguinipes - Grasshopper - Commensal - No: These hoppers may serve as food for some people and other animals but in the U.S. they are mostly just bugs that disturb people.
As you can see we are all part of a large ecosystem full of life that we may not notice on a daily basis but just as we do they live, eat, sleep, mate, and die. Evolution has provided us with so much diversity and it's that diversity that we want to keep in this world. So next time you walk out the door go ahead and see how many different species you see in a day!
Online Lab #7
For this lab, I was supposed to pick ten stages of fetal development that I found most important. Talking to a new mother (friend of mine), I learned that her anxiety grew with each upcoming month. The monthly tallies were the biggest shocks to her when she realized how much the baby developed in such a short period of time. So here's my top ten:
1. Fertilization takes place within the first twenty four to forty eight hours. I believe this stage is crucially important because it the odds of an egg being fertilized is very low. This event is unique and it's the beginning of it all.
2. At four weeks, the baby embryo begins growing limbs. Even more interesting is that a heart is very much formed and is actually beating! The baby's development extends even to the development of the intricate organ systems and the nervous system is being even more relevant. These organs help the baby further develop.
3. By eight weeks, the baby's organ system aren't quite finished but they are much more developed and working better. The baby is also beginning to get it's face! He or She begins getting facial charateristics and fingers are completely noticeable.
4. By the twelve and thirteenth months, you are able to decipher whether your child is going to be a boy or a girl! Many parents favor this stage because it gives them a chance to get ready for their little gift and start making plans for the baby room, baby shower, colors, toys, etc. Also, the baby's fingerprints are fully developed which I believe is amazing because everyone's fingerprints are different and we have them the rest of our lives.
5. Finally, the mother is able to connect fully with her baby. Around the fourth month, she is able to actually feel the baby wiggle around, kick and turn in her uterus. This is probably a real reality check for most people as it is quickly becoming more and more real. The baby's skeleton is also hardening from the soft, mushy cartilage it once was, to bone. The placenta is now entirely functional. It takes up 20 to 25% of the area of the uterus.
6. At around 22 weeks, the baby's eyebrows and eyelids are formed and the baby is beginning to grow. Doubling it's length from the previous month, this little guy is getting fed and is growing well. I believe this stage is very important because the baby is growing the hair on its face which makes it more of a human.
7. Finally near the end of the 2nd trimester, the baby is gaining weight and is now a pound and a half. This month marks an awakening of attention and muscle development. The baby is starting to get that dreded baby fat :) and his skin is beginning to smooth out and become baby soft.
8. At seven months, the baby's survival rate, in case of a premature birth, is much higher than previous months. The baby is much more likely to live with every day and week that pass by. He is now able to follow a light with his eyes and is about 3 pounds.
9. For the eighth month, the baby is almost 5 pounds and is very well rounded. It's lungs are developing and the baby is almost ready to see the world. I believe this is an important stage because the parents are both probably ready to get the show on the road as bothof the parents are probably tired and over stressed. They know their little one is on the way and anxiety may kick in.
10. At nine months the baby is well-developed and ready to live life on the outside of his mother's belly, living and breathing without the help of his mother's uterus and her placenta. The baby is beginning his life as we all do.
1. Fertilization takes place within the first twenty four to forty eight hours. I believe this stage is crucially important because it the odds of an egg being fertilized is very low. This event is unique and it's the beginning of it all.
2. At four weeks, the baby embryo begins growing limbs. Even more interesting is that a heart is very much formed and is actually beating! The baby's development extends even to the development of the intricate organ systems and the nervous system is being even more relevant. These organs help the baby further develop.
3. By eight weeks, the baby's organ system aren't quite finished but they are much more developed and working better. The baby is also beginning to get it's face! He or She begins getting facial charateristics and fingers are completely noticeable.
4. By the twelve and thirteenth months, you are able to decipher whether your child is going to be a boy or a girl! Many parents favor this stage because it gives them a chance to get ready for their little gift and start making plans for the baby room, baby shower, colors, toys, etc. Also, the baby's fingerprints are fully developed which I believe is amazing because everyone's fingerprints are different and we have them the rest of our lives.
5. Finally, the mother is able to connect fully with her baby. Around the fourth month, she is able to actually feel the baby wiggle around, kick and turn in her uterus. This is probably a real reality check for most people as it is quickly becoming more and more real. The baby's skeleton is also hardening from the soft, mushy cartilage it once was, to bone. The placenta is now entirely functional. It takes up 20 to 25% of the area of the uterus.
6. At around 22 weeks, the baby's eyebrows and eyelids are formed and the baby is beginning to grow. Doubling it's length from the previous month, this little guy is getting fed and is growing well. I believe this stage is very important because the baby is growing the hair on its face which makes it more of a human.
7. Finally near the end of the 2nd trimester, the baby is gaining weight and is now a pound and a half. This month marks an awakening of attention and muscle development. The baby is starting to get that dreded baby fat :) and his skin is beginning to smooth out and become baby soft.
8. At seven months, the baby's survival rate, in case of a premature birth, is much higher than previous months. The baby is much more likely to live with every day and week that pass by. He is now able to follow a light with his eyes and is about 3 pounds.
9. For the eighth month, the baby is almost 5 pounds and is very well rounded. It's lungs are developing and the baby is almost ready to see the world. I believe this is an important stage because the parents are both probably ready to get the show on the road as bothof the parents are probably tired and over stressed. They know their little one is on the way and anxiety may kick in.
10. At nine months the baby is well-developed and ready to live life on the outside of his mother's belly, living and breathing without the help of his mother's uterus and her placenta. The baby is beginning his life as we all do.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Compendium Review #8
For Chapters 22, 23, & 24:
• Deep Time Evolutionary History
• Human Ecology
• Human Population and Biodiversity
***DEEP TIME EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY***
The first protocell may have been formulated through a chemical evolution.
Small organic molecules were made from the Earth's early atmospheric gases and an outside energy source. The macromolecules evolved and mixed together to where RNA was made. This was found in the first cells. then amino acid proteins came into view as polypeptides in dry heat.
The protocell lived on preformed rgani molecules in the ocean and eventually became a cell once it had DNA and was able to reproduce. There is sooo much diversity on this planet in the form of life because of a certain form of evolution--biological. In this type of evolution, there is a common ancestor in all of us. That is the reason as to why we all have certain characteristics such as eyes, ears, limbs, skeletal systems, air/water, etc. There are several kinds of evidence that each promote this theory of evolution. The fossil evidence we find on this planet includes that of the dinosaur age. All fossils, including the early humans has similar characteristics. There is also biogeographical evidence where there are organisms covering the entire planet. The theory that the land called Pangea did once exist. Anatomical evidence would be one more. THis is where the anatomies and the common ancestor play their roles in similarities. Finally there is the biochemical evidence were all the organisms on the planet have a similar make up, chemically.
Humans are primates. This means that we are related to the African apes. We are a form of hominid with features and characteristics that would include biedal osture, flat faces, and the brain that we have. Australopithecines are also hominids and were existant around 3million years ago. They had a small brain but they could walk upright and this is looking a bit more like the human way. Homo habilis made and used tools. Then the homo erectus was the first of its kind to be a proud owner of a brain that was 1000 cm3. The homo erectus was expected to have come from Africa then to Europe and then to Asia. Then the Homo erectus used fire and may have been good hunters. There were also Neanderthals and Cromagnons. The Neanderthals were in Europe and Asia long before modern humans came along. They maintained a culture but they were very much unlike the modern humans. Cromagnons were the oldest fossil to be considered a homo sapien because they had sophisticated tools and also had a culture to back it up.
***HUMAN ECOLOGY***
Ecology- the study of the interactions of organism with one another and with the physical environment.
In our project lab we observed our ecological environment.
There are terrestrial ecosystems such as forests, grasslands, and deserts and there are aquatic ecosystems that include salt water or freshwater. There is always a habitat and a role in the community for the individual. Autotrops are producers that produce organic nutrients for themselves and for others from inorganic nutrients and outside energy sources. Heterotrophs are the complete opposite. These are consumers that eat organic nutrients. Consumers include herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. Dcomposers feed on the detritus and release the inorganic substances back into the ecosystem for the autotrophs to eat. It's a simple cycle that continue on. Energy flow can be describes with a food web. This is show how organisms that may be very different from one another, are related. How would this be? Through eating of all things!
A trophic level is were all the organisms feed in a particular level in the food chain. Ecosystems are always having to deal with different chemicals coming through. These chemicals may be gaseous or sedimentary, have reservoirs with inorganic nutrients, or nutrients that cycle through the biotic communitites. The water cycle would include how freshwater evaporates from the ocean. Then when it falls and hits the ground it is able to be lifted and evaporated once more. There is also the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, and the phosphorus cycles to be discussed. The carbon cycle is where the reservoirs of the carbon are organic matter, limestone, and the ocean. It has an exchange pool which is the atmosphere and through photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is removes from this atmosphere and is put back by respiration and combustion. The nitrogen is the atmosphere. The nitrogen gas is changed by producers into somehting that may be worked with. Then the nitrogen fixing bacteria change this nitrogen gas into ammonium so that producers are able to use it. Then ammonium is changed to nitrate by nitrifying bacteria. Denitrifying bacteria convert the nitrate back to nitrogen and the process rolls on and on. Finally there is the phosphorus cycle. In this cycle its reseroir is the ocean's sediments. Geological upheaval is what makes the phosphate in the ocean sediments available for use. Weathering takes it back to the ocea. Phosphate is relatively scarce in number in such a cycle.
***Human Population and Biodiversity***
Populations generally increase in size. Environmental resistance is what usually holds this back. This population size is expected to level off to a point that will fit the capacity for the area, as others that exceed the limit will die off. Humans use land, water, food, energy, and minerals to the highest extent of our capabilities to date. Resources are either nonrenewable or renewable and they need to be treated like a commodity.
Humans use the land and are ruining life for other organisms but the human population demands this, so it is done. The water we use is renewable but there is a limited quantity at hand, as is food and energy. Minerals are nonrenewable and they are found in the ground in such materials such as sand, gravel, phosphate, or metals. Land that is ruined from mining is not necessarily ruined forever, but it takes an awful long time to recover.
There are five main causes for biodiversity loss and extinction on Earth. These are: habitat loss, introduction of alien species, pollution, overexploitation of plant and animals, and disease. Diodiversity is a good thing to keep because it provides us with medicinal value, agricultural value, and comsummptive use values. They also give waste disposal, freshwater procision through the water biogeochemical cycle, prevention of soil erosion, function of biogeochemical cycles, climate regulation, and ecotourism.
• Deep Time Evolutionary History
• Human Ecology
• Human Population and Biodiversity
***DEEP TIME EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY***
The first protocell may have been formulated through a chemical evolution.
Small organic molecules were made from the Earth's early atmospheric gases and an outside energy source. The macromolecules evolved and mixed together to where RNA was made. This was found in the first cells. then amino acid proteins came into view as polypeptides in dry heat.
The protocell lived on preformed rgani molecules in the ocean and eventually became a cell once it had DNA and was able to reproduce. There is sooo much diversity on this planet in the form of life because of a certain form of evolution--biological. In this type of evolution, there is a common ancestor in all of us. That is the reason as to why we all have certain characteristics such as eyes, ears, limbs, skeletal systems, air/water, etc. There are several kinds of evidence that each promote this theory of evolution. The fossil evidence we find on this planet includes that of the dinosaur age. All fossils, including the early humans has similar characteristics. There is also biogeographical evidence where there are organisms covering the entire planet. The theory that the land called Pangea did once exist. Anatomical evidence would be one more. THis is where the anatomies and the common ancestor play their roles in similarities. Finally there is the biochemical evidence were all the organisms on the planet have a similar make up, chemically.
Humans are primates. This means that we are related to the African apes. We are a form of hominid with features and characteristics that would include biedal osture, flat faces, and the brain that we have. Australopithecines are also hominids and were existant around 3million years ago. They had a small brain but they could walk upright and this is looking a bit more like the human way. Homo habilis made and used tools. Then the homo erectus was the first of its kind to be a proud owner of a brain that was 1000 cm3. The homo erectus was expected to have come from Africa then to Europe and then to Asia. Then the Homo erectus used fire and may have been good hunters. There were also Neanderthals and Cromagnons. The Neanderthals were in Europe and Asia long before modern humans came along. They maintained a culture but they were very much unlike the modern humans. Cromagnons were the oldest fossil to be considered a homo sapien because they had sophisticated tools and also had a culture to back it up.
***HUMAN ECOLOGY***
Ecology- the study of the interactions of organism with one another and with the physical environment.
In our project lab we observed our ecological environment.
There are terrestrial ecosystems such as forests, grasslands, and deserts and there are aquatic ecosystems that include salt water or freshwater. There is always a habitat and a role in the community for the individual. Autotrops are producers that produce organic nutrients for themselves and for others from inorganic nutrients and outside energy sources. Heterotrophs are the complete opposite. These are consumers that eat organic nutrients. Consumers include herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. Dcomposers feed on the detritus and release the inorganic substances back into the ecosystem for the autotrophs to eat. It's a simple cycle that continue on. Energy flow can be describes with a food web. This is show how organisms that may be very different from one another, are related. How would this be? Through eating of all things!
A trophic level is were all the organisms feed in a particular level in the food chain. Ecosystems are always having to deal with different chemicals coming through. These chemicals may be gaseous or sedimentary, have reservoirs with inorganic nutrients, or nutrients that cycle through the biotic communitites. The water cycle would include how freshwater evaporates from the ocean. Then when it falls and hits the ground it is able to be lifted and evaporated once more. There is also the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, and the phosphorus cycles to be discussed. The carbon cycle is where the reservoirs of the carbon are organic matter, limestone, and the ocean. It has an exchange pool which is the atmosphere and through photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is removes from this atmosphere and is put back by respiration and combustion. The nitrogen is the atmosphere. The nitrogen gas is changed by producers into somehting that may be worked with. Then the nitrogen fixing bacteria change this nitrogen gas into ammonium so that producers are able to use it. Then ammonium is changed to nitrate by nitrifying bacteria. Denitrifying bacteria convert the nitrate back to nitrogen and the process rolls on and on. Finally there is the phosphorus cycle. In this cycle its reseroir is the ocean's sediments. Geological upheaval is what makes the phosphate in the ocean sediments available for use. Weathering takes it back to the ocea. Phosphate is relatively scarce in number in such a cycle.
***Human Population and Biodiversity***
Populations generally increase in size. Environmental resistance is what usually holds this back. This population size is expected to level off to a point that will fit the capacity for the area, as others that exceed the limit will die off. Humans use land, water, food, energy, and minerals to the highest extent of our capabilities to date. Resources are either nonrenewable or renewable and they need to be treated like a commodity.
Humans use the land and are ruining life for other organisms but the human population demands this, so it is done. The water we use is renewable but there is a limited quantity at hand, as is food and energy. Minerals are nonrenewable and they are found in the ground in such materials such as sand, gravel, phosphate, or metals. Land that is ruined from mining is not necessarily ruined forever, but it takes an awful long time to recover.
There are five main causes for biodiversity loss and extinction on Earth. These are: habitat loss, introduction of alien species, pollution, overexploitation of plant and animals, and disease. Diodiversity is a good thing to keep because it provides us with medicinal value, agricultural value, and comsummptive use values. They also give waste disposal, freshwater procision through the water biogeochemical cycle, prevention of soil erosion, function of biogeochemical cycles, climate regulation, and ecotourism.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Compendium Review #7
For chapters 16 & 17:
• Human Life Cycle
• Fertilization and Fetal Development
• Pregnancy, Birth, and Development
***HUMAN LIFE CYCLE***
From zygote to baby to adolescent to adult and back to the beginning again. The human life cycle deals with two different kinds of cell division-meiosis and mitosis: the gamete production and the growth and repair of tissues, respectively.
To state the obvious, there are males and females, each with a reproductive system unique to each. The males have external genitals such as the penis and the scrotum. They also havev sperm in the epididymides. These sperm move through the vasa deferentia to the urethra. Then the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbouretral glands add the fluid that flow with the sperm, carrying them, hopefully, to a successful journey in search for a woman's egg. This is call semen, and it takes it's part in a male's orgasm when the semen ejaculates our of the male's penis. The males have a testosterone level that is relatively maintained at a constant level.
Females are quite different. They have their reproductive system inside their body. There is usually one mature follicle produced a month by the oogenesis in the ovaries. (testies of a woman). The follicle balloons out of the ovary and bursts, releasing an egg that goes into the oviduct, which then goes to the uterus, where the growth and development, the whole she-bang of reproduction, takes place. The external genital rea of a woman includes the vagnal opening, the clitoris, the labia minora, and the labia majora. For females to orgasm, they culminate in uterine and receive oviduct contractions.
Women have to go through three main hormonal levels. There is the ovarian cycle and the uterine cyce, where the woman is not pregnant and there is the fertilization and pregnancy cycle, where the woman is pregnant. First off, the ovarian cycle which is under the hormonal control of the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary. The first half of the cycle deals with the FSH coming from the anterir pituitary which causes maturation of afollcle thatseretes estrogen and some progesterone. After this half, the LH also from the anterior pituitary changes the follicle into the corpus luteum which secretes progesteron and some estrogen. During the uterine cycle, estrogen allows the endometrium to rebuild. Ovulation usually happens on the 14th day of a woman's typical 28 day cycle. The progesterone causes the endometrium to get thicker and become secretory; alow level of hormones causes this endometrium to break down. Menstruation is then the result.
During fertilization, the embryo is in the thckened endometrium where it will develop. The HCG production by the placenta keeps the corpus luteum around as well as the progesterone production. This cycle lasts 9 months for the baby to fully develop.
***FERTILIZATION AND FETAL DEVELOPMENT***
During fertilization, the sperm nucleus enters the egg and fuses with the egg nucleus. The processes of developmentinclude cleavage, growth, morphogenesis,and differentiation. In internal development, the extraembryonic membranes are at work. This is the pr-embryonic and embryonic development.
The nextstage is fetal development. This is where all the organ systems are established and the placenta is fully functioning. The umbilical arteries and vein exchange blood from the placenta. This also gives the fetus oxygen and nutrients and get rid ofcarbon dioxide and wastes. Fetal development takes place from the 3rd month all through the end of the cycle, at 9 months.
The third and fourth months is where the skeleton hardens from the cartilage it once was. The sex also becomes distinct and if the SRY gene is there, the testes and male genitals develop, but if not, then ovaries and female genitals develop. The 5th-9th months are set aside as mostly a growth and weight gaining stage for the baby. The lungs also develop.
***PREGNANCY, BIRTH, AND DEVELOPMENT***
Changes women go through during pregnancy may include: weight gain, constipation, heartburn, darkening of certain skin areas, and pregnancy-induced diabetes, all due to the placenta's addtitional hormones.
There are three stages for bith. Stage one consists of the parturition nd the cervix dialating. The next stage is the actually birth process and the presence of the baby. The last stage is where the afterbirth is expelled. In other words, the placenta is taken out. The life cycle, or development, starts at infancy, eads to childhood, then adolescence and finally adulthood.
The once-infant is then able to produce a baby of his or her own. Starting at age 20, an increased risk of infirmity, disease, and death steadily increase. Aging is still being researched but some hypotheses include that aging may have a genetic basis, that it may be due to the declining existance of hormones, or that it may be due to what we eat and how we exercise. This aging has a big effect on the body to where our organs are slowly deteriorating and not functioning as well.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
