VDA #4

VDA #4

1. An embolism as it pertains to humans is a blockage that plugs up an artery in the body and slows or even stops blood flow to the area of body supplied by the artery. People might not be able to get the sufficient oxygen in their blood. It can cause blockages in blood vessels which disables blood to pass freely. They also may cause tissue to die if they prevent blood flow in a certain area. If it continues it leads to thirst, starvation, and eventually death. 
http://www.humanillnesses.com/original/E-Ga/Embolism.html#b

2. An embolism as it pertains to plant/trees is when they have more and more gas accumulating in their bodies and they can't get enough water to their leaves when they pump or suck for it in their roots. It results in reducing photosynthesis and eventually leads to death. Also, when there is dry soil, the tree has to suck harder for water which increases the risk of drawing air bubbles into the tree's plumbing.

3. The implication this discovery has on global concern is that droughts temperatures are rising around the globe, which is making droughts more likely and intense. This can harm and effect plants by lack of water, too many air bubbles in their plumbing or embolism.

Extra Credit

1. DNA is an acronym. What is DNA's "real" name?

DNA's "real" name is Deoxyribonucleic Acid. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_full_form_of_DNA

 

2. What function does DNA serve?

DNA contains information about the characteristics of an organism and directs its cell's activities. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_function_does_DNA_serve

 

3. How was DNA's shape discovered? Give me the name of three scientists who played a role in this discovery? (Hint: I'm looking for the names of two men and one woman).

Francis Crick and James Watson found out DNA's shape, Rosalind Franklin had a large part in their discovery with her  x-ray crystallography images. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Which_scientist_discovered_the_shape_of_the_DNA_molecule

 

4. DNA has nucleotide bases, what are the four bases? (Hint: C, G, T, A... what does each letter represent?)

The four nucleotide bases of DNA are Thymine, Guanine, Cytosine, Adenine.

Science Notebook

5. In DNA, the four base nucleotides always pair up in a certain way; which letters bond with which?

Cytosine always pairs up with Guanine. Adenine always pairs up with Thymine.

Science Notebook

VDA #3

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

Algae is classified in Kingdom Protista. http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Algae
Algae can be found in damp, moist places. It is also found in bodies of water. http://answers.ask.com/Science/Biology/where_is_algae_found

 

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

Another source of biofuel is corn.

 

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

The algae produces fewer pollutants.

4. How does the algae produce biofuel?

When fed on certain sugars the algae produces fammable oils that can be used as fuel addictives.

Then, watch Solazyme's video on biofuel production and answer the following questions, according to what the video presented:

1. How long does nature take to produce fuel?

Nature takes millions of years to produce petroleum from fossilized algae.

2. How long does it take Solazyme to produce fuel?

Solazyme shortened this process to a matter of days.

3. Where is Solazyme currently located?

Solazyme was founded in Peoria, Illinois, and is expanding all over the world.

VDA #2
1. a) The scientists research contributes to the greater good by learning how different animals communicate. I think this is important because it shows people the different ways organisms can communicate other than the ways humans do. It also shows us the ways that animals use their minds to warn one another about danger.
 
    b) The questions the scientist posed to the research he did was that he first focused on how different species of birds styled their songs. Then the question he asked himself  was, when birds varied their calls did that mean that they were giving a different meaning to each message?

    c) The field of science that this experiment falls into is biology.


2.  Dear Dr. Chris Templeton,
   
      I read about your amazing experiment on how you tested the different calls and warnings of the chickadee to see what meanings they had. I was really interested in your experiment when you tested different kinds of predators and saw what calls the chickadee made to each one. When you recorded and studied the chickadee's sound and pitches, I was found out that your results were that the chickadees' calls reflected the degree of danger each one one had experienced. It was incredible to learn how clever and smart these birds are and how they can communicate with many different species of birds too. Are the warnings and calls of the chickadee different based on the experience of danger they had with the animal? Your experiment was very informative, interesting, and fun to read. Thank you!

                                                                       Sincerely,

                                                                         Jenna