mqpham's blog

The threshold in a membrane potential is reached when there is a significant depolarization which opens the voltage gated Na+ channels a the axon hillock. The diffusion of sodium causes the membrane to have a positive membrane potential. The Nernst potential is then reached at +50 mV, causing the Na channels to inactivate and the K+ voltage gated channels to open as they are triggered by a delayed depolarization. K+ ions will exit until the potential overshoots the resting potential before returning to roughly the K+ Nernst potential.

Losses, as a result of invasive species arise when there are decreases in agricultural yield, loss of biodiversity, and/or increased spending on herbicides and pesticides used to control the invasive population. With greater knowledge on the invader's impact, we could potentially pinpoint the source of greatest loss and manage the associated problems accordingly. This research could perhaps be crucial in protecting our food sources, our local environments, and reducing the uses of herbicides and pesticides.

Source refers to the origin of the invader. Areas affected potentially include the total number of counties that are already affected in a state. The affected areas have lower biodiversity as the native plant species are unable to compete with the foreign invader. Since the number of areas affected can contribute to the future distribution of the invasive species from multiple locations to new locations, a greater number of places affected can lead to further proliferation of the invader.

Losses from invasive species arise when there is a decrease in agricultural yield, loss of biodiversity, and an increased spending on herbicides and pesticides used to control the invasive species. Identifying the extent to which agricultural yield, loss of biodiversity, and the amount of labour or money used to control the plants identifies where the threat is coming from. With knowledge on the invader's impact, we will potentially pinpoint the source of greatest loss and manage the problem accordingly. This would potentially protect our food sources, our local environment, as well as reduce our spending on maintaining the environment.

We propose to do research on nine invasive plant species, specifically herbs in Massachusetts to determine which of the invasive herbs pose the greatest threat to the state’s economy and ecosystems. Invasive species are a threat to ecosystems especially when they compete with native species that occupy the same niche. Control of invasive plants can become costly through uses of herbicides and physical extraction. This research will narrow down on the threats of these species and determine where most attention is needed to save government funding on invasive plant control and to protect the biodiversity of local ecosystems in Massachusetts.

A second recrystallization was performed on the trimyristin using the minimal amount of acetone to dissolve the solid. The liquid solution was heated till boiling and cooled at room temperature for ten minutes. The solution was then cooled in an ice bath for another 10 minutes. The product was dried, and the mass was determined. The melting point of the twice recrystallized trimyristin was found and the percent recovery after the first recrystallization was determined.

The accepted melting point of trimyristin is 56-57°C. In the experiment, the melting point range of the first recovery was 53-58°C. This is significantly wider and lower than the accepted range for trimyristin. The first recovery was therefore found to by impure. It is possible that the acetone had not all evaporated or there was still contamination with other compounds from the extraction of trimyristin from the nutmeg. This was improved with the second recrystallization, which significantly reduced the range to 55-57°C, which is in range of the accepted melting point. It is most likely that this was the expected product from the reaction.

The partial pressure of oxygen moves via concentration gradient towards areas of lesser oxygen in the body. When a breath is inhaled, the partial pressure is at its highest. In mammilian systems, the lungs take oxygen via a universal pool of oxygen and other gasses. Oxygen is trasported into the bloodstream, where the partial pressure of oxygen is significantly lower than the partial pressure of oxygen found in the inhaled breath. This causes the oxygen to diffuse into the blood stream where it is transported throughout the body. Cells that are oxygen deprived pick up oxygen from red blood cells that will eventually return to the lungs. Therefore, the blood returning to the lungs have the least partial pressure of oxygen, and the blood leaving from the lungs will have a higher partial pressure. However, in mammilian systems, the exhaled air will have a greater partial pressure of oxygen compared to the oxygenated blood because most of the oxygen we inhale is not transferred efficiently into the system.

Research conducted on nine invasive herb species in Massachusetts will determine which of the invasive herbs poses the greatest threat to the Massachusetts economy and ecosystems. Invasive species are a threat to ecosystems especially when they compete with native species that occupy the same niche. Control of invasive plants can become costly through uses of herbicides and physical extraction. This research will narrow down on the threats of these species and determine where most attention is needed in to save government funding on invasive plant control and protecting biodiversity of local ecosystems in Massachusetts.