Baby "Carlos" is here!

Meet Brendan Anthony Adolfsen!!!! Born July 6 at 11:49AM...he is an awesome baby and my hubby and I could not be more excited! Hope you are all enjoying your summer!!

GM Foods

Genetically Modified (GM) Foods are made from genetically modified organisms (remember our jellyfish plasmid activity??). Typically GM foods are mostly found in plant products, but animal products can also be genetically modified. Some uses include insect and disease resistant plants, adding nutritional components such as vitamins and minerals, and pharmaceuticals (scientists are researching methods to offer vaccines through tomatoes).

Read a little more about GM Foods on the World Health Organization (WHO)'s website: http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/. How do you feel about GM Foods? Do you feel they are safe for human consumption? Explain.

Cloning

Do you believe it is evere appropriate to clone a human? If yes, explain the circumstances/reasons to clone a human. If no, explain why not.

NO BLOG THIS WEEK- GOOD LUCK ON THE BIOLOGY EOC!!!

Speciation

Choose an organism (everyone must choose a different organism- repeat organisms will receive no credit!). Explain a scenario in which a population of this species could become geographically isolated leading to the eventual formation of 2 genetically different subspecies (review finch example given in class Thurs 5/6, but don't use it as your answer!). Be creative here!!!! Please include your name at the end of your response.

Evolution

The world population of humans continues to increase at an exponential rate. Do you believe humans follow the rules of natural selection? Site three reasons to support your answer. What does this mean for the future of our population?

History of Life on Earth

Choose one event from the timeline of evolution given out in class. Write 4-5 sentences to discuss how life today may be different if that event did not occur.

You cannot get this wrong as long as you support your answer! Be sure to support your choice with 4 -5 complete sentences...really think about this one (How would your life be different? Would humans still be the "dominant" species? Would we even exist???)!!

Genetic Technology Ethics

Take a stand on a genetic technology. Choose one of the following technologies: genetically modified food, transgenic organisms, gene therapy, embryonic stem cell research, adult stem cell research, umbilical cord blood research, human cloning, In vitro fertilization (IVF), cloning extinct organisms, and gene patenting (the breast cancer gene is a current topic).

***IMPORTANT: Only 5 people may choose the same topic...please check before submitting your answer...if you are the 6th person to use that technology, you will get no credit (sorry, but you have been warned!).

What you need to do:

TAKE A STAND...are you pro or con? Give 5 well-researched arguments that support your claim. Site any resources (web sites, articles, books, etc) that you use at the end of your blogspot. Also include your name.

p.s. You can't get this wrong as long as your work is original, well supported, and sited! :)

Protein Synthesis Web Actvity

Please read all instructions on this blog before beginning the activity. Most of this assignment's work will be submitted to me on a separate piece of paper (Friday 4/16), but you will also be reqiured to comment on this activity on the blog.

Click on the link for the Univeristy of Utah Learn Genetics Page: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/dna/

Click on "Transcribe and Translate a Gene" in center box.

Before beginning the activity, read ALL of the information on the page and answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper (answer in COMPLETE sentences):

1. What is a gene? What does each gene encode?
2. How many genes does the human genome contain?
3. How does your cell "read" your genes? What is the outcome of these processes?
4. What is the Universal Genetic Code?

NOW, follow the directions to complete the activity. When you have completed the activity, write the order of amino acids for the protein you created.

On the blog:

What did you think about this activity? Did you find it helpful? Why/why not?

Create your own Dihybrid Cross. Just like last week, this will require you to give both an internet and written response.

ONLINE:
-Choose two traits to follow and give description of both traits (which is dominant/recessive, etc)
-Create a genetic cross for these 2 traits (dihybrid).
- Give phenotypic ratios that would result from your cross.

WRITTEN:
-Show your work: 16 box dihybrid punnett

I will be checking to make sure everyone has created a unique problem!

This week's blogspot requires both an internet entry (to be entered by Thursday 3/18 night as always) and a written response (to be handed in on Friday 3/19). Describe a family as your blog response and draw the corresponding pedigree on unlined paper.

For your Blog entry:
-Identify the trait/disease you are focusing on.
- Classify your trait/disease as autosomal or sex-linked and dominant or recessive
- Describe three generations of the family (use examples from class and your homework to help you or an example from you own family!).

For your Pedigree:
- Draw on unlined paper.
- Be sure all shapes and line are correct and you shade in the appropriate people.

Next week you will be required to draw someone else's family Pedigree so make sure your family description is easy to follow! I encourage you to use something from your own family...if you're unsure about the history of a certain trait, ask your parents for help or give your grandparents a call- I am sure they would love to hear from you! :)

Choose a genetic disease and give the following information:

- Inheritance: autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant or sex-linked
- Symptoms and characteristics common to the disease
- Treatments
- Frequency of occurance in our population
- Is it more common in one culture group compared to others?
- Identify one support group families affected by this disease can go (ex. American Heart Assoc.)

One disease per person so please check other responses before submitting your own!

Suggested resources: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/disorders/whataregd/ ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_genetic_disorders

NO BLOG QUESTION THIS WEEK. GOOD LUCK ON THE Pre-HSPA!!!

A stem cell is a cell whose job has not been decided yet (kind of like high school students). Over time, the daughter cells of a stem cell will differentiate into cells with specific structures and functions. Follow the link to explore the source and research being done with stems cells: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/stemcells/ and answer the following:

-What are some of the benefits of stem cell research?
-What are the risks of stem cell research?
- Who can benefit from stem cell research?
- Why are some people against stem cell research?

Answer each question in 2-3 sentences. Take your time to read the information in all of the links at the University of Utah site (take a look at the animations too). My recommendation- answer 1-2 questions a night on a piece of paper and then type in your entire response by Thursday night (just trying to help you manage your time!).

Cancer

***BLOG SPOT FOR WEEK OF 2/15/10 (due thurs 2/18)*** Blog question under this one is due thursday 2/11!

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Choose a specific type of cancer and give the following information:

-Body system affected
- Causes/risk factors
- Diagnosis- how does a doctor determine a patient has the disease?
- Treatment options
- Prognosis- what is the future outcome for the patient?

Each student must choose a different cancer so be sure to check other responses before including your own. Pay special attention to risk factors (many can be easily avoided!). Include your name at the end of you post.

With a more developed understanding of genes and the traits each gene controls, scientists have opened doors to new technologies that seem to come from the plot of a science fiction movie. Many of these technologies spark ethical debates. Visit the following link: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/genetherapy/gtenhance/index.html and read about "designer babies". Complete the following:

- Identify the benefits of this technology.
- What are the difficulties involved with genetic enhancement?
- What do you think about this technology? You must support your answer.

The human genome project was started in 1990 and published in 2003 (although research still continues). Its goal was to map the 20,000-25,000 genes that make up all human traits by determining the sequence of bases within each gene. Many ethical questions have developed in response to this question. Three of these questions are:

1. Who should have access to personal genetic information, and how will it be used?
2. Who owns and controls genetic information?
3. How does personal genetic information affect an individual and society's perceptions of that individual?

I want to know your thoughts on each of these questions. In your blog response address each issue in 2-3 sentences- this is entirely your opinion...it can't be wrong! Just be sure to support your thoughts.

GOOD LUCK ON MIDTERMS!!!!!

No Blog this week!

As semester 1 comes to an end, it is time to reflect on the biology you have learned (and prepare for the midterm!). Choose a specific ecosystem (i.e. salt marsh, deciduous forest, etc.) and answer the following:

a. Identify your chosen ecosystem and one specific place it is found.
b. Describe the climate.
c. Give an example food chain (with at least 4 trophic levels)- be sure to include organisms that live in the specific place you chose in part a.
d. Describe the role of bacteria in this ecosystem.
e. Give an example of how human activities have affected this ecosystem.

There will be some information repeated, but no 2 posts can be exactly the same! If you choose the same ecosystem as someone else, find a different place on Earth that has this ecosystem. Be creative! This is the last post of the semester and a good way to review for your midterm.

Choose a disease that infects humans caused by a bacteria or virus and answer the following:

1. Name of disease
2. Is it bacterial or viral?
3. Which body system does it affect? How does it affect this system (be as specific as possible)?
4. How is it spread from person to person? How can this spread be prevented?
5. How is it diagnosed and treated?

One disease per person please (in other words: don't repeat answers!). Please include your name with your post.