Week 13 - Bacteria Cells: Do They Age?

Hi class, since we are continuing to focus our attention on cells, specifically bacteria, I thought it would be great to start this week off with a debate about whether or not bacteria cells age.  We have already learned last week that when a bacterial cell divides into two daughter cells, those two cells divide into four more daughters, then 8, then 16 and so on.  Well, the result of this cell division has led to biologists assuming there will always be an eternally youthful population of bacteria.  Therefore, according to this article, in a way, scientists believe that bacteria, in other words, don't age...at least not in the same way all other organisms do.

This article does a great job at establishing an internal debate, because it goes on to describe the thoughts of other scientists.  "Others conclude that not only do bacteria age, but that their ability to age allows bacteria to improve the evolutionary fitness of their population by diversifying their reproductive investment between older and more youthful daughters" (Science Daily).

This is where all of you come in.  For this week's blog, you will click the link below and read the entire Science Daily article, paying close attention to both sides of the argument.  After reading the article, conduct some research in this area and chose a side that you believe is correct (either bacteria don't age OR they do age).  Post your thoughts, opinions, and supporting research in a post throughout this week.  Then defend your ideas as your classmates try to prove you wrong. 


Click Here To Read The Article

Week 12 - Cell Division: Is A Biological Clock Used?

This week we move on to our cell unit.  One of the main concepts we will discuss is cell division.  One of the greatest ways to demonstrate this process is to watch videos of live cellular division.  The video we will watch in class this week is of a bacteria cell dividing.  The reason we are discussing this in the blog is because there is an article that was just published that has evidence that cell division depends on a biological clock.

This discovery would be very tremendous in the scientific world because this idea was never thought of before.  We all know how essential a biological clock is for humans.  It plays a role in whether we gain or lose weight, when we fall asleep or wake up, how we respond to certain illnesses, etc.  Well, it seems that cells are just as dependent on this biological clock, as well!

"A team of biologists has unraveled the biochemistry of how bacteria so precisely time cell division, a key element in understanding how all organisms from bacteria to humans use their biological clocks to control basic cellular functions" (Science Daily).

Therefore, further studies in this area could apply to human problems that result from disorders in the biological clock, circadian clock, etc.  So, what I would like you all to do this week is research specific human disorders that are caused by or affected by these biological clocks, circadian clocks, etc.  Discuss this disorder and make a prediction about the impact this bacteria cell division knowledge could have on it.  Would it be positive, negative, and explain why.  Support your prediction with scientific evidence.


Click Here To Read The Article

Week 11 - Global Warming: Are Humans The Only Ones To Blame?

As we move onto the environmental unit, we will begin covering environmental problems and solutions.  One of the first topics we will discuss is global warming.  As mentioned in class, global warming is by far the most significant and dangerous environmental issue the world is currently facing.  For the past 2 centuries or so, researchers, scientists, and environmental experts have singled out humans as the sole cause for this global warming problem.  However, are humans the only ones to blame?

New evidence has emerged which proves that cosmic rays are the main cause of global warming.  According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, cosmic rays are thought to derive from supernovas (explosions of distant stars) which results in an increased number of clouds in the atmosphere.  This increase in clouds, in turn, reflects rays back into the atmosphere.  However, although there is significant research conducted, this theory is still somewhat new and very few people have taken this issue seriously.  So, I want to know what you think.

However, before you can post your thoughts and opinions, you must conduct research of your own.  First, read the article provided below and then find evidence to support these claims.  Include sources and references in your posts.  Defend your arguments and support classmates' evidence, if it applies.  Overall, you should either agree with this theory or disagree (no in-between status) and prove why you made this decision. 

Global Warming Article: Click Here to Read

Week 10 - Digital Stories: Any Ideas?

 

Hey class!  This week we will be beginning our digital stories.  Your job is to choose ONE topic we have learned about so far and create a digital story that teaches others about this concept.  Before you post to this discussion, I want you to complete some research first.  Visit the following three websites and watch some examples of digital stories.  As you do so, write down any ideas or information that sparks your mind! 

1) http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/example_stories.cfm

2) http://mcli.maricopa.edu/storytelling

3) http://www.schrockguide.net/digital-storytelling.html

If you came across any additional websites during your research, please share them in your post.  Out of your research, I want you to post one explanation/description of your favorite digital story that you came across.  Describe what it was about, the entertaining features, what program was used, if text was used, what kind of visuals were created, and any other technical aspects you discovered.  This is to help ignite some creative ideas you and your classmates may have!

Your second post for this week will be about your initial ideas for a digital story.  After reading your classmates' posts and viewing many examples, discuss what program you are leaning towards using to create and narrate your digital story.  Explain the technical side, but also the academic side.  At this point, you should have a concept in mind and may just need to tie it to a theme, etc.  Please provide feedback to your classmates and I look forward to hearing all of your creative ideas!!!