Writing in Biology

Striking sexual differences in plumage (and size) are typical of many birds. Darwin concluded that exaggerated sexual differences such as the tail of a peacock or displays of the Wild Turkey evolve as a result of what he called sexual selection namely, contests among males and females for mates and females preferences for particular males. As potential male reproduction success increases so does the value of the characteristics. Large size, fancy plumage , intricate songs, and striking displays that are responsible for the success.

In A. thaliana, the SRF genes code for LRR receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLK), although the functions of SRF1-9 vary (Eyüboglu). SRF7 specifically showed increased expression in plants treated with brassinosteroids, hormones that stimulate plant growth. SRF7 also displayed a strong association with with proteins involved in cell wall biogenesis, and it is hypothesized to play a role in cell wall production (Eyüboglu). Additionally, the expression of SRF7 was found to have a positive correlation with leaf size. A loss of function in the SRF7 gene resulted in smaller leaves, and an overexpression of SRF7 resulted in overly large leaves (Baute). SRF7 was also identified as a kinase that was downregulated in plants upon treatment with methylglyoxal, a toxic substance known for inhibiting the growth and development of plants (Kaur).

Bradi1g72430 was identified as a protein kinase phosphorylated during the growth and development of seedlings (Lv). Bradi1g72430 is also co-expressed with phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), a enzyme essential to lignin production (Harrington). Lignin is a polymer that is essential to create cell wall rigidity, and its hydrophobicity allows plants to effectively transport nutrients and water with minimal absorption. Lignin is deposited in the secondary cell wall of all vascular plants, and PAL catalyzes the reaction that produces the lignin monomers (Zhao).

Birds are monogamous so to choose a mate must be done carefully. Males and females have their own strategies to attract the mate. Males mostly have physical characteristics that are used for displays. In the red-winged blackbird, males will have a bright red color on the wing. However this is not the part that attract females. The color red is correlated with the food the male eats so if the male has a brighter feather, it means he has more territories. The more territory and resources the male has, the more female will be attracted. It is found that males will fight over territories to display how good quality they have.

The hormones in the gut act with the brown fat to determine “fullness”. Fullness is a feeling when a person’s stomach is bloated and would not be able to consume any more food at that given time. The hormone secretin, causes a change in the intensity and behavior. When secretin is secreted it causes a loss in appetite. The more you eat the more secretin would be secreted, which would cause the person to consume less food. When you are feeling hungry it is due to less secretin being produced, and would cause the individual to feel like eating more.

Intermittent fasting(IF) is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of both eating and fasting. The idea behind this plan is for individuals to essentially lose weight however, partnered with working out you will exceedingly begin to build muscle. IF is aimed for individuals to fast between 12-36 hours essentially lowering the amount of time your gut is actively breaking down molecules for energy. Studies have shown that intermittent fasting is a great way to lose and manage weight while providing a vast amount of health benefits. These benefits include; reduced risk of chronic heart conditions, improved brain health, reduced insulin resistance (which lowers your risk of type 2 diabetes) and reduced oxidative stress within your body. Although you are fasting for a majority of your day, individuals must ensure that they are receiving enough nutrients to nourish ones body. 

Metabolic couping between biochemical pathways is an essential mechanism that concentrates on the transfer of energy that is released from an exergonic pathway to provide energy needed for an endergonic pathway. Metabolic coupling occurs in a series of connected reactions; in which these reactions share products/substrates. A main method of energy transfer in these biochemical processes is the removal of phosphate groups by hydrolysis. Molecules with more negative delta G of hydrolysis can phosphorylate molecules with less delta G of hydrolysis. The energy that is released by hydrolysis is used to power other reactions. ATP is known as the main energy currency molecule. The intermediate delta G of hydrolysis of ATP to ADP + Pi releases enough energy to be useful for other biochemical pathways/reactions. The formation of ATP from ADP + Pi would be a dehydration reaction and does not require an excessive amount of energy.

Ink is secreted through two glands, the ink sac, and the funnel organ. Ink sacs were evolved by proliferation, rapid reproduction of cells, of the lower intestine. The cells of the hind gut were proliferated and mutated into the ink sacs and within those ink sacs, there are ink glands. The ink glands are where ink is released into the ink sac lumen for storage. The funnel organ is the gland where the mucus part of the ink is produced. The funnel organ is composed of two lateral pads of epithelial tissue. The epithelial tissues contain secretory cells that release the mucus. Mucus is a polymer of mucous and serous cells. Serous cells are made up of bodily fluids that resemble a serum. Mucous and serous cells are made up of inorganic salts and enzymes which do not mix together, therefore, it is a colloid. Which is why mucus is chunky and sticky. The ink that is being released is a mix between the melanin produced from the ink glands and the mucus from the funnel organ.

Biosafety level 4 labs are very rare. They are rare because the pathogens that the laboratories work on are very serious and pose a huge threat to public health. There are only 13 of these facilities in the united states that are even proposed. Only 8 of the facilities are even approved to work with these pathogens. Very few of them are in cities just because they could be so potentially dangerous. One of the biosafety 4 labs actually recently got approved in boston. The lab had been under construction and ready to be used since 2008. The lab got approved to be functional only in 2017, that shows how hard it is to get approved to have one of these labs. A decent amount of these labs also exist in europe. These labs will always be beyond heavily regulated as I believe pathogens as deadly as the ones that these lab work with will prove the biggest threat to human survival. I also think that this is why many countries don’t, or at least say they don’t, work on bioweapons. Bioweapons could so easily affect the person or organisation that releases it. If a pathogen is released in any major city in any region of the world it will be in another country within a day.