Drafts

            The salt marsh is located in a protected, low energy zone just outside the highest beachfront dunes.  It is a depository zone, comprised of thick layers of mud and sand.  Salt marshes are a critical interface between the land and sea.  They provide habitat for fish, birds, and shellfish; protect coastal cities from storms; and they take nutrients out of the water coming from upland areas, which protects coastal bays from over-pollution.  At higher elevations in the upper marsh zone, there is much less tidal inflow, resulting in lower salinity levels.  Soil salinity in thelower marsh zone is fairly constant due to everyday annual tidal flow. Rainfall can reduce salinity and evapotranspiration can increase salinity during dry periods.  As a result, there are microhabitats populated by different species of flora and fauna dependent on their physiological abilities. The flora of a salt marsh is differentiated into levels according to the plants' individual tolerance of salinity and water table levels

An amino acid is made out of a carboxylic acid group, a side chain and an amine group. When two amino acids approach each other the carboxylic acid’s oxygen that is not in a double bond and one of the hydrogens from the amine group to form a water molecule and break away from the molecule. Then the amino acids form a peptide bond between the Nitrogen in the amine group and the carbon in the Carboxylic acid group.

ussion:

    The 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine test produced a yellow precipitate. 2,4-DNPH reacts via an imine formation mechanism, reacting with aldehydes and ketones but not with alcohols. This meant that the unknown compound was either an aldehyde or ketone. The yellow color of the precipitate also suggested that the carbonyl group of the unknown was unconjugated. The precipitate was used as a solid derivative to determine the melting point of the unknown. The Schiff test had no change in color, giving a negative result. Schiff’s reagent is very bulky, and as such will only be able to react with molecules which have enough space. Ketones are unable to react with the reagent due to its size, so only aldehydes will react and show a change in color. This meant that the unknown present was a ketone. Lastly, the iodoform test was performed to determine if the unknown was or was not a methyl ketone.

What were the authors trying to test, and what predictions did they make?

    The authors of the article were trying to determine consanguinity rates and the rate of inbreeding in the United Arab Emirates. The authors predicted that although the number of consanguineous marriages are generally declining, due to culture variances Middle Eastern Arabs will have a higher consanguinity rate. The purpose of the study is to find the inbreeding coefficient in the UAE.

What, exactly, did the authors do?

    The authors sampled 2,033 married UAE women, aged 15 or older. The women were interviewed face to face by physicians and qualified nurses. The genetic relationship between the two spouses and whether their parents were consanguineous was recorded.

What did the authors find (i.e, what were their data)?

The authors determined that the rate of consanguinity in the current generation was 50.5%. The coefficient of inbreeding was 0.0222. Marriages between first cousins was the most common type of consanguineous marriage. The authors also believed that their sample size was large enough to apply to the entire population: “It is believed that the sample size is adequate to achieve a high degree of precision in estimating the true incidence rate in the general population.”

How did the authors interpret their findings?

    The authors determined that the coefficient of inbreeding increased between the parent and current generation. The coefficient of inbreeding was 0.0243 versus 0.0158, and the consanguinity rate was 50.5% versus 39%. Over one quarter of all marriages were first cousin marriages. The authors state that this is similar to other Arab countries, and reflects cultural practices. The inbreeding coefficient is increasing in UAE, which is contrast to many populations such as Japan.

The question of this study is whether neurons that produce and release the neurotransmitter dopamine can also release the neurotransmitter glutamate into synapses within the adult brain. The rationale of the question is that it is known some neurons producing and releasing dopamine are also able to release glutamate at the same time while releasing dopamine. The relevance of the question is that this occurrence is still not very well understood to this day. Therefore, scientists would like to find out more about this occurrence. This is because scientists believe that dopamine and glutamate directory and signaling is critical when it comes to many human driven behaviors. 

I thought of 10 possible jobs or fields I can enter as a Pre medical biology major after I graduate from UMass. I hope to continue school by getting into medical school.

1. Surgeon (South shore plaza / Mass General Hospital, trying to get into the medical school)

2. Dentist (Dental school after college, doctoral)

3. Researcher (Job right after college maybe?)

4. Nurse (Need to get volunteer hours?)

5. Pediatrician (Always been interested, grad school maybe?)

6. Musician (Love music, maybe grad school for music education?)

7. Biology teacher (High school)

8. Professor or assistance in some sort (College)

9. Banker (Makes bank)

10. CEO (Business school after college)

Mudflats, or also known as tidal flats, are coastal wetlands that form when mud is deposited by tides or rivers. They are found in sheltered areas such as bays, lagoons, and estuaries. Mudflats may be viewed geologically as exposed layers of bay mud, resulting from deposition of estuarine silts, clays and marine animal detritus. Most of the sediment within a mudflat is within the intertidal zone, and thus the flat is submerged and exposed approximately twice daily.  Mudflats dissipate wave energy very effectively and therefore are an excellent tidal defense against eroding saltmarsh, damaging coastal defenses and flooding low-lying land. Mudflats may also be important for pollution sequestration, as the organic material draws in pollutants and they may therefore contain large concentrations of heavy metals. Mudflats have high biological productivity but low diversity.

Michael Kim

204 Sunset Ave.

Amherst, MA 01003

(781)708-1552

michaelkim@umass.edu

Peter Houlihan

352 Morrill II South

North Pleasant St.

Amherst, MA 01003

peteh@bio.umass.edu

Dear Dr. Houlihan,                                                                                      March 1, 2018

            I am writing to you to apply for the conservation biology research lab that you offer over the summer for my internship. Many of my friends have worked with you in the past and they said it was an unforgettable internship experience. I have taken your general biology class my freshman year about two years ago and it was one of the best biology class I have ever taken. It would be my very first research internship and I would be very interested and willing to give it my all this summer. My mom who works at Mass General Hospital and South Shore Hospital told me to get an internship with you since I had you as my professor already and it will be a great opportunity for me to work in the fields of biology. I am trying to get into the medical school after I graduate from college, so this internship really would help my resume. I am hardworking and am a fast worker, not only will I get my work done, I will get it done fast and well.

            For my high school senior year project, I researched about breast cancer in depth. To raise the awareness, my two friends and I set up a volunteer fundraiser work with the South Shore Hospital called the Moonlight Gala. We ended up raising about 12,000 dollars for the patients. I like to take pride in the work I can do and take pride in something I love, helping out others and doing the research that are needed. From hiring me, not only can I bring a positive attitude and vibe, but I can promise the good outcome. I have done many volunteer work and I have taken many laboratories so I believe that I can help your summer internship in the conservation biology research lab.

            As it is my first internship opportunity, I would like to pick the best one there for me for this summer which I think is why this internship would fit and benefit me perfectly. In the laboratory settings, I believe the hard workers can succeed which is why I ask that you look into my diligence and hire me. I would like to contact you within 2 weeks to give you more information if you guys are in need of them. My phone number is 781-708-1552 and my email address is michaelkim@umass.edu. Thank you so much for your time Professor Houlihan, hope to hear from you soon.

Much appreciated,

Sincerely,

Michael Kim\