Writing in Biology

Ocean Acidification and Reproduction

This paper focused on examining the effects of increasing levels of ocean acidification on certain critical stages of development, namely early development and reproduction. Shell-formation is critical in certain organisms and rising levels of carbon dioxide in the environment diminishes these organisms’ abilities to form these protective, calcium carbonate shells. In sea urchins, it is shown that a decrease in pH can lead to weakened sperm motility, which, in turn, leads to lower levels of egg fertilization. The effects of ocean acidification on early development include decreased larvae growth, abnormalities in their skeletal development, higher rates of death due to their smaller size, and reduced success of shell development. To grow adequately, larvae require a specific range of temperature, and increasing acidification will surely impact this. Regarding reproduction, higher rates of carbon dioxide lead to decreased reproductive organ growth, leading to lower success rates of reproduction. Interestingly, egg development is not affected in the studied species. Regarding larvae and adults, it appears that both can withstand differing levels of acidification, as well as different species. With rising carbon dioxide levels diminishing the populations of certain marine species, we will expect to see grave consequences in the marine ecosystems. These organisms, like crustaceans, echinoderms, and corals, provide as a food source for other species and a lack of these could eventually lead to extinction of certain species. It is becoming increasingly concerning as to how marine organisms are going to respond to the increase in ocean acidification. An unanswered question plaguing scientists today is whether these organisms will be able to adapt to these challenging conditions.

Platypuses: Ancestral or more primitive if compared to mammals that bear live young?

It is not correct to use the term "ancestral" to describe platypuses relative to mammals that bear live young because although they share a common ancestor platypuses diverged into a separate group before the mammals that bear live young evolved to acquire the trait. Platypuses can however be described as being "more primitive", because they have gone through far fewer evolutionary changes than the mammals that bear live young have.

The Popular Myth of Profiling in Forensic Psychology

We recently learned about the criminal mind in Forensic Psychology. Often, many falsely believe forensic psychologists, for example, the characters on Criminal Minds, spend a majority of their job profiling criminals to be arrested. Interestingly, their job consists of nearly no profiling. They mainly focus on analyzing caught criminals and assisting in determining competency and the legitimacy of an insanity plea. Surprisingly, and also not that surprisingly, the United States is home to 76% of the world’s serial killers. An estimated 83% of American killers are Caucasian, with men making up nearly 90% of the world wide total of serial killers. According to decades’ worth of research, the typical serial killer is a white male in their late 20s to early 30s. Typically, they kill within their own race and utilize a method of murder that is very hands on, like stabbing, for instance. Most of the victims are selected because they all share some sort of certain characteristic. For example, Ted Bundy would choose women in their 20s that had long hair that was parted in the middle.

Ecology in Relation to Human Health

Ecology being a branch of biology that deals with relations between different organisms and their physical surroundings, I believe relates to healthcare. The way that organisms around us behave essentially affects the way that us(humans) live and vise versa. Our interactions on a day to day basis is not only affecting organisms, but it is affecting ourselves as well. Environmental conditions are a major factor in determining our lifestyle including; the amount of pollution which is eventually leading to global warming and affecting air circulation and atmospheric convection cells. Global warming soon then leads to extinction of animals which then will affect other organisms food chain/living habits. As global warming increases, peoples health conditions begin to decrease and that’s where healthcare comes in.

Methods of Collecting Horse Behaviors

We watched the two videos of Equus caballus (morgan horses) twice, that were filmed at the UMass Hadley Farm, taking note of behaviors displayed each time between three mares and three foals. There were no adult male morgan horses present in either video. The total video time watched was 48 minutes and 55 seconds. For each unique behavior noted, we gave it a unique name, described it, and took a still image of the behavior in progress. Along with the image, we noted what time the behavior occurred at. We added information relating to the context and postures of the horses while the behaviors were happening. We then created six categories intuitively based on the occurrences of behaviors displayed. The horse behaviors were grouped in these categories in a logical manner based on their differences and similarities to the criteria given.

Draft 1/30

For this draft I wanted to do some observational writing. I am going to observe my calculator. On the back it scratched, scuffed, and discolored complete with my name and phone number that my mother required I put on it in high school. The battery pack has education.ti.com enscribed on it. One of the three screw holes is filled with dust to the point in which you can’t see the screw anymore. The worn out serial number still remains 1215082533 K-0414B. Flipped over the cover has a graph etched into the plastic with the title TEXAS INSTRUMENTS above it. Once opened a blank yellow green screen is coated with dirt and scratches. Purple, black, green, yellow, and gray buttons line the face of the calculator. All the buttons serve their own unique purpose, with the purpose changing based on the previous buttons pressed. This seemingly simple machine has such incredible capabilities. This machine has and will carry me through exams plugging hundreds of commands into it. I wonder how long this took to craft, to assemble, to even conceive the idea of a handheld computing device that can calculate math problems beyond my comprehension in the blink of an eye. It really is something that is incredibly intricate but yet so simple.

Humans Role in Protecting Earth

Throwing the nutrient cycle of soil out of balance will only begin to hurt us rather than benefit us in the future. One way in which ecology can play a role in helping with this issue of soil fertility would be water filtration and oxidation reduction. However, although ecology can play a role in protecting our world’s soil fertility, humans themselves play a more important role. Humans have the ability of reducing global pollution which can then help with weather change in respect to soil fertility. Humans also have the ability of changing the way in which they practice farming which has substantially affected soil fertility at most. Nutrients that are stored in soil are needed for everyday life as well as the soil organisms that help with the decomposition of these nutrients.

Model Genetic Organisms

Model genetic organisms are used to perform studies for better understanding of how the body functions and for genetic analysis. More specifically, systems of the body, such as the nervous system and digestive system, are closely observed over time. Drugs are also most commonly tested on model genetic organisms to collect results before being tested and available for human use. Aspects of model genetic organisms include having a short generation time and producing numerous offspring. This allows for transfer of genes and characteristics to be observed faster and therefore more efficient for the researcher. In addition, using models that are well known are most convenient to use. For example, mice is a common model organism because their bodily systems resemble those of humans. Not only are they easy to be reared in laboratories but they are also inexpensive to purchase. Research performed on model genetic organism have greatly contributed to advancements in medical treatment and the understanding of the transfer of genes today.

Week2 PP1

Update on the Unknown Organism (Larva)

The larva was given a peel of clementine skin. The organsim reacts be exploring the peel and proceeds to crawl beneath the tender, white, inner portion of the skin and appears to be eating the peel. Later, the organism remains still, lying beneath the peel. When disturbed, the larva retreats and clings onto the white portion of the skin. Over the course of three days, the organism changes physically and behaviorally. Changes include darkening of the skin, the spots along the side of the organsim, as well as the legs.There is also a decrease in activity and lesser response to disturbances (such as shaking the container). On the third day with the peel introduced, the organism does not seem to be eating the skin, but simply remains still, rarely moving beneath the white side of the clementine peel.

Week2 Draft1

Update on the Unknown Organism (larva)

The larva was given a peel of clementine skin. The organsim reacts be exploring the peel and proceeds to crawl towards the tender white inner portion of the skin and appears to be eating the peel. Later, the organism remains still, lying beneath the peel. When disturbed, the larva retreats and clings onto the white portion of the skin. Over the course of three days, the organism changes, darkening in color, and growing in size. Other changes include darkening of the spots along the side of the organsim as well as darkening of the legs.There is a decrease in activity and lesser response to disturbances. By the third day, the organism does not seem to be eating the skin, but simply remains still beneath it.