Writing in Biology

Mitosis is the process of cell division found in eukaryotic organisms. Mitosis first begins it's process in prophase where chromosomes condense and form bonds at the centromere. Next begins the metaphase where microtubles arrange chromosomes along the center of the cell, the centromeres begin to prepare seperation of sister chromatids. After seperation anaphase begins and microtubules attach the kintochores contract pulling sister chromatids apart and towards the opposite ends of the cell. Lastly there is telephase where the newly seperated chromosomes gather and create miotic spindle the nuclear membrane begins to seperate down the middle of the cell, cleavage. the cytoplasma completely divides and then there are two new identical cells

As mentioned earlier, the typical stereotype of a Native American usually involves a traditional skirts with tunics, moccasins, beads, feathers, and braids. With this image plastered in many American heads, they often do not recognize or acknowledge the Native Americans that may be present in their everyday lives. Native Americans in this era wear normal clothing, go to work, have a family, and live in a house, like the majority of the population. In the short film, “I’m not the Indian you had in mind” by Thomas King, it was displayed that stereotypes of an average Native American prevented Americans from noticing Native Americans in their everyday lives (King). The short film continuously referred to well known cartoons and movies that portrayed Native American stereotypes. Those displays lead many to believe that savage behavior and traditional attire was how one can recognize a Native American. The Native American actors challenge the stereotype because they are dressed in casual or work apparel and describe their normal everyday lives (King). This proves that in addition to the negligence of Native American history, the stereotype of Indigenous peoples continues to ostracize and dilute their presence in modern society.

Of all of the labs available for me to apply to, I believe this lab best aligns with my personal interests and knowledge. The inner machinations of cellular function, including motility, is an extremely fascinating facet of biology. Uncovering new cellular behaviors and mechanisms is something that cannot be taught in a lecture, as well as something that I truly strive to be a part of.

I have completed a wide number of relevant courses and gained valuable knowledge as a result. I will continue to learn more about biological systems as I complete my dual degree in biology and neuroscience in May of next year. In addition, I’m planning on taking at least one gap year between my application to medical school and the completion of undergrad.  I would be thrilled to continue research past my graduation date.

There are many interactions involved with the metaphase to anaphase transition in the process of mitosis. Unattached kinetochores on duplicated chromosomes send out signals in the cell that keep the molecule, MAD, bound to CDC20. MAD is bound to CDC20 until all kinetochores are attached, at which point MAD and CDC20 separate and APC and CDC20 bind instead. Another molecule, Securin, is ubiquinated by the APC/CDC20 complex. Once this occurs, Securin is destroyed and another molecule, Separase, is released. Cohesin between the replicated chromosomes is then destroyed by Separase and the chromatids separate as the cell progresses to anaphase.

This pathway can become faulty if one aspect is not functional at any given time. For example, if Securin is absent in the cell, Separase would continually destroy cohesin, leading the cell to transition to anaphase. If CDC20 releases MAD too early, a non-disjunction event may occur and the proper number of chromosomes will not be adequately distributed to each daughter cell. These defects in the pathway can lead certain cells to become cancerous.

Vertebrata are a subphylum of Chordates. These, of course, have all the characteristics of any chordate, but have a number of other characteristics unique to their group. These additional traits include the presence of a braincase and a tripartite brain, with cranial nerves. During development the ectoderm pinches off to form the neural crest and cells migrate throughout the body to form a variety of structures. These have the ability to form teeth, pigment cells, bone, muscles and more. Rather than simple filter feeding, muscles now control the action of taking in water for both breathing and feeding. Likewise, muscles now control the digestive tract and move the nutrients along through peristalsis. The pituitary gland has been split into both adenohypophyis and neurohypophysis hormonal control. Furthermore, the optic tectum is present in vertebrates, providing better visual information processing.

A specific class of Vertebrata is called the Cyclostomata, which may be further divided into Myxinoidea, the hagfish, and Petromyzontida, lampreys. Hagfish have no bones and their skeleton is mostly made of cartilage. However, they do have vestiges of a hemal spine, ventral to their notochord. While they do not have true eyes, they do have eyespots used to detect light. Hagfish have a single nostril on the top of their head and a single semicircular ear canal. Their skin is covered in a number of mucus pores, which produce large amounts of mucus and slime when the fish is agitated. These fish are mainly considered scavengers, though may be known to eat smaller marine worms. Their mouths contain keratinized teeth which they use to pierce prey with and burrow inside or by sucking the nutrients out.

"What is Water" is about respecting others' autonomy and learning to instill into self that self is not the center of the universe and thus our discomforts or our desires are not any more significant than others', which is ultimately supposed to lead us to a conscious and good life. However, in personal life, Wallace has been shown to disrespect others' (various women around him) autonomies over and over, and value his happiness/comfort over all else. How clearly it shows the major problem with our persons and the overall society when it comes to problem solving! That though we may understand and agree with a concept in theory, it is often elusive in execution.

His obsession with self-gratification seems to only emphasize the difficulty with which one can achieve what he is trying to teach in What is water. While What is Water is about respecting others' autonomy and learning to instill into self that self is not the center of the universe and thus their discomfort or their desires are not any more or less significant than others', in his real life, he had done plenty of actions to the contrary. 

First he accuses Meletus, the person who brought such charges, of not caring about the youth of Athens and simply wanting to condemn Socrates. Next, Socrates challenges Meletus to explain who might be improving the youth of Athens if he is corrupting them. Socrates lists groups of people (namely the jurymen, the councilmen, the audience), to all of whom Meletus replies in the affirmative. Thus, Socrates brings in the example of horses—that majority cannot improve horses (rather if they have horses and use them, they may corrupt the horses), and it is a singular group of people/ horse breeders who must take it upon themselves to care for the horses. Socrates also argues that if he has indeed corrupted the young, he has done so unwillingly, since no wise man would want to be harmed by the company that they have deliberately made wicked. In this case, he should be faced with instructions not punishment. 

Over and over, Socrates mentions that "[he] differ[s] from the majority of men" (29). And, this fault is what eventually leads him to his death sentence. As humans, we like what/who is familiar to us. Thus, any new value or school of thought must be introduced to us as a renovation of old, or in relatable manner. Socrates either willingly refuses or unwillingly fails to achieve this purpose. In the beginning of his speech, he disclaims that he is not accustomed to speaking in the familiar language of court and jurymen must focus on the content rather than the manners of his speech.  But, I am once again reminded, as a legal studies major, how hard it is to accomplish this feat.