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
                     
                                                         
       

VDA #1
1) What was the title and URL of the article you read?
The URL of the article I read was http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/the-teenage-brain/.
2) Do you have any questions about anything you read in the article? If so, what are the questions?
I didn't thoroughly understand how the brain changes as you grow.
3) What did you find MOST fascinating about the article?
The most facinating thing I learned is that as people grow their brain works differently too. As we grow we tend to make more decisions on our own and think differently. Our thinking also become more independent.
4) What did you learn?
I learned that as we grow our brain reduces the amount of neurons and synapses that are not that aren't useful as we grow, and strengthens the ones that are important for us to use as an adult. As a result, when we grow we become more proficient to the native tounge, but it might be more difficult for us to learn a language that we don't know.
5) Why was the science found in the article important, in your opinion?
It was important because our brain thinks differently as we grow and it is important to learn how it works because of the different decisions and thinking ways we use from a child to an adult.
6) Any additional comments
As a growing teenager, I enjoyed learning about how my brain works differently as I grow!