VDA 9

 

 

1) Consider the potential of these 3-D machines, what object would you print that could help the world? Why? 

 - I would also like to print organs or limbs that are very commonly in need of to people. Such as, legs,arms-hands, hearts, brains, livers, kidneys, lungs, or  anything else. many people lose their lives everyday waiting for a transplant.the printer would would give the person that when they need it greatly. the article stated that Ibrahim Ozbolat and "his collaborators are creating biological “inks” that consist of living cells. Eventually, their goal is to harness a 3-D printer that uses those inks to build a living, functioning body part." if a 3-D printer is made and is capable of constructing anything, it can also be used to make the body parts.

 

 

 

 

 2) From a selfish standpoint, what one item would you print for yourself? Why?

 

- i would print a whole library (for myself). i already have a whole shelf towering with books but I've read all of them so many times i look at them and say to myself "i have no books! i need more books!" Some people think  reading books is a waste of time (and i have been criticized for reading my books during my free time rather that talking or socializing.) but i believe that books can give you knowledge, even the Greek and Roman mythology-fiction genre can help you gain a little bit of knowledge. books , in my point of view, are in a way sources of education.  

VDA 8

Economically formed counteries impact greatly on CO2. This is because when they are economically developed, the people are wealthy enough to buy cars. when people drive, they give off excessive amounts of CO2. According to  http://www.iea.org  , "Global CO2 emissions rose by 4.6% in 2010, after having declined in 2009 due to the impact of the financial crisis, in particular on Western economies."  A western economy, in example of  U.S.A, is one of the western civilizations known to give off a high amount of CO2. to support this information I used  http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html as a resource.

 

 

 

 

VDA # 7

 

1. What is the benefit of checking feces (poop, scat, dung, droppings) for hormones versus checking the blood of the animal?

It ususally stresses the animal out when the scientists capture the animal and draw blood from them rather than just going after their feces.

2. What four things can you learn from an organism's droppings?
It reveals the species that excreted it, the animal’s travels, diet and health.

3. What hormone is produced when some animals are stressed or starving?
Glucocorticoid.

4. What did the researchers conclude contributed to the higher stress in orcas and how did the scientists come to that conclusion?

When the Orca Whales' favorite food Chinook salmon's population decreased.

5. Give two reasons why dung beetles climb atop the balls of dung.
In a way, the beetles mark their territory while at the same they protect their lunch from other hungry beetles.

6. What is the relationship between the Kakapo and the Hades flowers? In your answer, be sure to include how each species benefits the other.
The Hades flower is also in decline. In the past, when larger numbers of both species overlapped, kakapos probably dined on the flowers

7. Why is the Hades flower called "Hades" flower?

According to Greek mythology, Hades was the god of the Underworld and underground.  The Hades flower grows underground; the  known territory of Hades.



 

 

VDA 6

 

 

 

1. Scientists predict that prune fingers may serve a purpose. What purpose do they suggest prune fingers serve?  

The scientists think that the wrinkles improve our fingers’ ability to grasp wet, slippery objects.

2. Do you think that the study performed in England was a valid study? Why or why not?

Yes I think this was a valid study because they conducted the experiment more than once or twice. it was supported with results that wrinkled fingers help people grip objects.

3. How would you design an experiment to gather more data to support the suggestion that prune fingers serve a purpose? (Be sure to include the number of people sampled, the independent and dependent variables and the duration or amount of time for your experiment.)






 

I would do it on many different age-groups (Precisely 2-3 people per group). One age group I would test on are elderly with naturally wrinkled fingers. I would also make the younger people soak their hands in different periods of time. The whole time for the experiment would be 20-25 minutes. I expect the elderly to grab the objects better because the studies showed that the more wrinkly your fingers are, it's easier to grab the objects. 

4. While scientists are attempting to determine the biological purpose for prune fingers, the article does not discuss why prune fingers happen in the first place.
  What biological process allows for the skin on our hands and feet to turn wrinkly when submerged in water for long periods of time?

Osmosis.

 

                                                     VDA 5

 

 

Long-Term Science Questions:

1. What is Richard Lenski studying and why does he think it's important?

 

He has been watching a dozen bottles of bacteria evolve for 25 years. he wanted to see how bacteria evolves in different bottles.

 

 

2. What is Telewski studying and why does he think it's important?

 

A long-term study on seed germination that started in 1879 by Michigan State Universit's botanist William J. Beal. 

 

3. What benefits do you see in performing long-term scientific studies like these?

I believe that there are more different answers and you can branch off many other experiments that can lead to something big and extraordinary.

 VDA 5

 

 

1. Find a reliable website that can offer pregnant women information about mercury in seafood and will give suggestions as to serving sizes and frequencies that are safe for consumption.

http://www.epa.gov/mercury/advisories.htm

 

 

 

2. Using what you find in the website that you research and what you've read in the article, write a paragraph of at least 6 sentences that explains what mercury is, what it can do to pregnant women and how they can prevent these problems while pregnant.

 The chemical element of atomic number 80, a heavy silvery-white metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures (https://www.google.com/#hl=en&tbo=d&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=what+is+mercury&oq=what+id+mercury&gs_l=hp.1.0.0i13l4.2701.6668.0.9446.15.15.0.0.0.0.538.4104.0j6j3j3j2j1.15.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.n3o2ldtXUVw&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355272958,d.aWc&fp=bc2c42ada850bfef&bpcl=39942515&biw=1525&bih=718)

 

Mercury can damage many body parts of if exposed to for a long time. It can harm you in places such as you nervous system, lungs and kidneys.  If an expectant mother gets exposed to mercury during her pregnancy, the baby in the womb will experience brain damage and hearing and vision loss. Fish is prohibited to expectant mothers because fish absorb mercury from the water and when a mother is eating the fish, the mercury goes straight to the womb.

(http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/stayingsafe_mercury.html)

 

 

VDA 3

http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/futureoftech/first-algae-derived-fuel-hits-pumps-1C7048163

1. What is algae? (Specifically, what kingdom does it belong to and where is it found?)

Algae belongs to the Kingdom Protista. according to Ask Kids, algae is found in damp, moist areas.( http://answers.askkids.com/Life_on_Earth/Where_is_Algae_Found )

 

 

 

2. What is another form of biofuel that the article mentions? (Hint! "There's more than corn in Indiana! Indiana Beach!")

 Corn.

 

 

 

3. When comparing algal biofuel to the biofuel mentioned in your answer to number 2, which one allegedly produces fewer polluntants?

 I believe that corn produces less pollutants.

 

 

 

4. How does the algae produce biofuel?

 It states in the article

 algae-derived fuel 

"Special algae are grown in bulk; when fed certain sugars, they produce combustible oils that can be used as fuel additives".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8mFzCAYoLVs

1. How long does nature take to produce fuel? It takes nature millions of years to produce Fuel.

 

 

2. How long does it take Solazyme to produce fuel? It takes Solazyme a few days to produce fuel.

 

 

3. Where is Solazyme currently located? It's currently located in Peoria,Illinois.