Class Response: Genetics Assessment

For Genetics Assessment, my project is on Therapeutic Cloning, and I have to oppose this operation. I have researched, and found enough information to answer my questions. It was a little difficult finding some information opposing Therapeutic Cloning, because most people are all for it, as it saves lives. But what people don't know, is that the term, "Therapeutic Cloning" was created to confuse the public and present this technology as something beneficial, when in reality, it kill people. How you ask? Well, Stem Cells are needed for this type of cloning. Embryonic Stem Cells. And these come from embryos, which are basically babies, not yet fully developed. Although my position was assigned to me, I very much agree, and oppose any type of cloning.

So far, Genetics Assessment has been pretty easy, and I have been managing my time wisely. For my presentation, I am planning to do a slide show, which I have already begun working on. Genetics Assessment is for showing how much you understand the subject, Genetics. I understand it well, after all those projects and worksheets. Genetics is a very extraordinary part of science.

I found some of my facts at [http://www.religioustolerance.org/clo_ther.htm]

hey guyss.. comment me =] ahh genetics assessment is here ! although its pretty easy =P

Class Response: Super Hero Project

The superhero project was very fun. It really got me into Genetics. Also, it helped me understand the subject better. For example, I finally understood the point of a Punnett Square. A Punnett Square is a chart which shows or predicts all possible gene combinations in a cross of parents, whose allele combinations are known. Using a Punnett Square, you can predict the genotypes and phenotypes of the offspring. On one website [http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/CURR/Science/sciber00/7th/genetics/sciber/punnett.htm]
I found out that Punnett Squares are named after an English geneticist, Reginald Punnett. Now, for the superhero project, we used these to figure out the traits of the offspring of two random superheroes, of our choice. I had Toad and Silver Fox, who were two villians. Their offsrping barely inherited any of their traits. The offspring only got 3 superpowers, out of like 10. This helped me realize that heredity is almost random, in an organized way. Its like the traits are picked out of a hat, but they are done in a very organized manner. Like when scientist were trying to prove their theory(s) about heredity, they used these Punnett Squares, and other charts. Also, I understood about DNA, and RNA. In addition, I learned about dominant and recessive alleles, and how they affect every persons traits. I think Genetics is a very important part of science, and now I understand it much better.

"As Asia Keeps Cool, Scientists Worry About the Ozone Layer"

In Asia, in the China and India area to be specific, heat is really killing them. About four months ago, a couple of scientists discovered that the “hole” made by the world’s use of aerosol spray cans, aging refrigerators and old air-conditioners had caused the ozone layer to once again expand, stretching once more to the record size of 2001. Now we can't let any more damage come to the ozone layer, for it protects us from the sun's ultra-violet rays. But now many scientists are concerned that with all these air-conditioners booming, more problems could occur.

The "hole" was found above Antarctica, and was mending very slowly. Scientists put the blame on 'chlorofluorocarbons', a chemical used in refrigerants. Some scientists are now saying that the damage to the ozone layer could take over a quarter of a century longer to heal, which is way more than they predicted.

I find this very scary. What would happen if out entire ozone layer disappeared? What would happen if the part of the ozone layer above Antarctica never healed? These are some of the questions I have, and would like answered. I think that everyone should stop using aerosol sprays as much, and the old refrigerants, too. They are really damaging our enviroment, and if our enviroment is damaged, we won't be able to live. So save our Earth!

I found my article at http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/23/business/23cool.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=science

"Marine life grows where Antarctic ice collapsed"

Antarctica, our southern-most continent, has been covered in ice for hundreds of years. And because of this, its marine life has remained a mystery. But then several years ago, when the ice shelves began collapsing, scientists decided it was time to research the marine life of Antarctica. The location of theses ice shelves was near the Antarctic Peninsula, which was an area warming faster than any other. Many scientists and researchers believe that this meltdown somehow has to do with human-produced carbon emissions.

I feel this is a great opportunity for researchers and scientist to finally find out what kind of animal life lives in the great depths of the ocean under the ice. I sure would like to know. What kinds of animals live under the ice? How do they survive the cold waters? I bet the scientists have just as many questions as me. I'm sure they'll have most of their questions answered, and their fasination with this subject will surely be shown.

I found my information at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17344334/

"Wrinkles in spacetime may reveal black holes"

Black holes are dangerous things. They could swallow you up, and spit you out somewhere entirely different, lightyears away from where you started. They have so much gravitational
force, that they even capture light. This creates a huge issue for scientists, because all of
the instruments they use for observing and researching objects in space, rely on light.

So currently, astronomers at the Space Telescope Science Institute are using "high-energy radiation" which is emitted by the swirling matter falling into them [the black holes]. I think this is really fascinating.

“If material actually falls into a black hole, it gets shredded apart and it heats up,” said Roeland van der Marel, a researcher with the Space Telescope Science Institute. This is why we must be able to detect black holes, so we don't get sucked into one. Another technique that scientists used to identify black holes was to see how other neighboring objects behave towards the force.

Long time ago, Einstein made a theory about black holes. Now scientists are trying to find out whether the effects caused by a black hole match his predictions. I find this very interesting, and I plan on reading on more about black holes, and how to spot them.

I found my article on http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17260859/