rmirley's blog

A plant leaf is composed of several layers. On the outside of the leaf, both top and bottom, there is a waxy layer called the cuticle. This layer helps to prevent water loss from the leaf so that the plant can have more control over its transpiration rates. The next layer is the epidermis, which is also on the top and bottom of the leaf. This layer serves primarily for protection of the internal structures of the leaf. The next layer from the top is the palisade layer. This layer is denesly packed and is primarily used for photosynthesis. The final layer from the top is the spongy mesophyll layer. This layer is thick, but loosely packed together. While it has some photosynthetic function, its primary purpose is to facilitate the gas exhanges within the leaf.  

The stomata serve a vital function to plants as a whole. They are the structures which allow transpiration to occur, keeping the plant from drying up by promoting water flow. The stomata are small openings on the bottom sides of leaves. These openings lead into the spongy mesophyll, where gas exchange occurs. This gas exchange allows the plant to photosynthesize as well as perform transpiration. In order to prevent excessive water loss in the case of a drought the stomata are bordered by guard cells. When water is plentiful the guard cells fill with water, causing them to open. When water is scarce however, the guard cells lose water and shrink. This shrinkage causes them to close the stomata shut, preventing further water loss of gas exchange. 

Due to the passive nature of water movement in plants, water has a very specific path that it must take through the plant. Water starts in the soil, where the roots absorb it into the system of the plant. From the roots, water travels through the root cortex and the root endodermis. Once it passes through these structures, the water finall enters the xylem, which acts as a long tube that runs directly through the plant. Transpiration in the leaves helps to pull water through the xylem up the stem. This is where the water reaches the leaf mesophyll, at which point it evaporates and exchanges out of the leaf through the stomata. This evaporation helps to pull more water up into the leaf. 

A plant leaf is composed of several layers. On the outside of the leaf, both top and bottom, the is a waxy layer called the cuticle. This layer helps to prevent water loss from the leaf so that the plant can have more control over its transpiration rates. The next layer is the epidermis, which is also on the top and bottom of the leaf. This layer serves primarily for protection of the internal structures of the leaf. The next layer from the top is the palisade layer. This layer is denesly packed and is primarily used for photosynthesis. The final layer from the top is the spongy mesophyll layer. This layer is thick, but loosely packed together. While it has some photosynthetic function, its primary purpose is to facilitate the gas exhanges within the leaf.  

Humidity has a major impact on the movement of water in plants. Since water movement is passive in plants, its transfer is largely dependent on outside factors. For instance, the humidity of the outside air has a major impact on how quickly water can move through the plant. Humidity in the air makes evaporation more difficult. With higher concentrations of water in the air, the leaf has a harder time transpiring, thus reducing water movement in the plant.

One major aspect of my day is how I spend whatever leisure time that I have. This category usually takes place between my classes and towards the end of the day. Between classes since I usually have awkward 1-2 hour gaps I will usually watch an episode of a show depending on how invested I am, or play a multiplayer match in a videogame to pass the time. Later on in the night I will often spend time with my roommates, where we will decide on new shows to watch together, play games, or just talk about what is going on in our lives. Finally towards the end of the night, roughly 1:00am-2:00am, I will workout to clear my head and help me fall asleep quicker. These leisure activities are prevalent in my daily life, and depending on what time it usually is, I will have certain activities that I will be more likely to do.

Website Validity

            The website being reviewed is about the conservation of the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus. Right off the bat you can tell that the website is well made. It features several tabs about the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus, including general information, FAQs, sightings, media presence, and even links to actual conservation websites. Despite the website’s sharp appearance however it does not hold up upon closer inspection. There are no actual references on the website to validate the Tree Octopuses existence. It simply states “facts” about the Tree Octopus in the hope that it looks official enough that you will believe it. Once you get to the “sightings” section you can also tell why this website is untrustworthy. While some images are well photoshopped, others simply show toy octopuses laid in tress while being covered by a few branches. It is fairly humorous, but also completely invalid. Finally, the website actually links real conservation websites in an attempt to trick those who didn’t delve too deep into the readings beforehand. While these conservation websites are indeed real they also have no mention of the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus anywhere on it. These observations help to solidify that this website is not reliable, valid, or trustworthy. It is simply a joke meant to trick people who don’t pay close attention to detail.

Website Validity

            The website being reviewed is about the conservation of the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus. Right off the bat you can tell that the website is well made. It features several tabs about the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus, including general information, FAQs, sightings, media presence, and even links to actual conservation websites. Despite the website’s sharp appearance however it does not hold up upon closer inspection. There are no actual references on the website to validate the Tree Octopuses existence. It simply states “facts” about the Tree Octopus in the hope that it looks official enough that you will believe it. Once you get to the “sightings” section you can also tell why this website is untrustworthy. While some images are well photoshopped, others simply show toy octopuses laid in tress while being covered by a few branches. It is fairly humorous, but also completely invalid. Finally, the website actually links real conservation websites in an attempt to trick those who didn’t delve too deep into the readings beforehand. While these conservation websites are indeed real they also have no mention of the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus anywhere on it. These observations help to solidify that this website is not reliable, valid, or trustworthy. It is simply a joke meant to trick people who don’t pay close attention to detail.

Unknown Organism Observations

• Moves like a worm (expands and contracts)
• Thin stretchable skin (nearly transparent)
• Can see internal organs
• Has a head that is used to feel out the environment ahead of it
• Has a long thin pin-like tail (water motility?)
• Tail largely unused when moving on land
• Body roughly 1.5 cm long (1.75 cm when stretched) , and .5 cm wide                                                                              
• Tail roughly 2.5 cm long
• Has a correct orientation/” bottom side” (flips itself over before moving forward again when put upside-down)
• Has small projections on the bottom side for traction
• Tail is flexible

Unknown Organism Observations

• Moves like a worm (expands and contracts)
• Thin stretchable skin (nearly transparent)
• Can see internal organs
• Has a head that is used to feel out the environment ahead of it
• Has a long thin pin-like tail (water motility?)
• Tail largely unused when moving on land
• Body roughly 1.5 cm long (1.75 cm when stretched) , and .5 cm wide                                                                                                                  
• Tail roughly 2.5 cm long
• Has a correct orientation/” bottom side” (flips itself over before moving forward again when put upside-down)
• Has small projections on the bottom side for traction
• Tail is flexible