biology
2 assignments and 3 discussions
Biology
Assignment 1:
Instructions:
Begin by downloading the following worksheet:
Light Spectrum and Plant GrowthLab Worksheet
.at the bottom of the page
.
The worksheet is your deliverable. It is a MS-Word (docx) document. Fill in the worksheet as you complete the lab,following the directions given on the worksheet. There are some data tables to fill in and some questions to answer.
Run the lab at the following website
http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/science/virtual_labs/LS12/LS12.html
Follow the instructions on the worksheet. The deliverable is the completed worksheet. The tools and worksheet at the lab site are not accepted. You must turn in the worksheet.
Note: This lab requires that your browser be able to run Adobe Flash. You may need to give permission for your browser to run Adobe Flash. If Flash is not installed on your computer, you may need to download it first. Please note that Adobe Flash is considered an “older technology” that will eventually be phased out, but it is still in widespread use. It is available from
https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
In (rare) situations in which students cannot run the lab on their end, they may refer to the live session (or the recording of the live sessions, which will be posted). The live session goes step by step through the lab, and gives all the data and information needed to fill in the worksheet.
I highly recommend the following PDF to orient you to the lab.
C:UsersStudentDownloadsAssignment 1 Bio.pdf
Lab worksheet
Instructions:
Go to the following Virtual Lab Website
http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/science/virtual_labs/LS12/LS12.html
The virtual lab runs under Flash. You may need to enable your browser to run it.
Watch the short video clip about the white light spectrum and the pigments in plants.
Using the controls to run the experiment, collect data to fill in the tables for radish and lettuce.
Select the plant which will be planted in all pots, 3 pots per chamber.
Select the color for each chamber.
Turn the light switch On to run the experiment for a simulated 30 days.
Use your mouse to grab the ruler and measure the height of the tallest part of the plant to the nearest centimeter. The height of each plant counts as one observation.
Record the data in the appropriate data table.
When you have recorded all three observations for a particular plant grown under particular conditions, calculate the average height of the plant under those conditions. To calculate the average, find the sum of the three observations, and then divide by three.
Table for Spinach (already filled out)
COLOR
Red
Orange
Green
Blue
Violet
Measured Height of plant
(cm)
Observation 1
16
16
1
18
14
Observation 2
22
17
3
22
19
Observation 3
17
12
2
17
15
AVERAGE
18.3
15.0
2.0
19.0
16.0
TABLES TO FILL OUT
1.
Table for Radish
COLOR
Red
Orange
Green
Blue
Violet
Measured Height of plant
(cm)
Observation 1
Observation 2
Observation 3
AVERAGE
2.
Table for Lettuce
COLOR
Red
Orange
Green
Blue
Violet
Measured Height of plant
(cm)
Observation 1
Observation 2
Observation 3
AVERAGE
QUESTIONS TO ANSWER
3. Based on these observations, which color of light causes the greatest amount of plant growth?
4. Based on these observations, which color of light causes the least amount of plant growth?
5. In a short paragraph, explain how these observations are consistent with the information presented in the short video?
6. Given that white light contains all colors of the spectrum, what growth results would you expect under white light? Explain why.
Assignment 2:
Option 1. Carry out the Lab on your Computer
Complete the DNA Microarray Lab athttps://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/microarray/ To begin the lab, click where it says “click on the microarray to begin”. Note: if you don’t see “click on the microarray to begin”, the most likely problem is that you don’t have Flash installed or that your browser needs permission to use it. For details, see the Flash Notes box.
The lab takes about 45 minutes. It is divided into three chapters. The first two chapters are very short segments that provide important background information. Thethird chapter is the actual labin which you will take samples from normal tissue and cancerous tissue through the process used to apply the DNA microarray technique.
Flash Notes: This lab requires that your browser be able to run Adobe Flash. You may need to give permission for your browser to run Adobe Flash. If Flash is not installed on your computer, you may need to download it first. Please note that Adobe Flash is considered an “older technology” that will eventually be phased out, but it is still in widespread use. It is available fromhttps://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/In situations in which students cannot run the lab on their end, they may refer to the live session (or the recording of the live sessions, which will be posted). In the live session I will go step by step through the lab, and gives all the data and information needed to take the lab quiz.
Option 2. Watch the video walkthrough in its entirety
In this series of two videos, I go step-by-step through the entire lab from start to finish. You may watch these videos instead of carrying out the lab on your end. Together, these two videos cover the entire lab. They provide you with an opportunity to learn everything you need to do well on the lab quiz. The sound quality is good, and if you have any trouble understanding my speech, accurate closed-captions are available.
Demonstration of DNA Microarray Lab — part 1 of 2 (length: 28 minutes)
https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/956951/uiconf_id/43830551/entry_id/0_rnr3y2rb/embed/dynamic
Demonstration of DNA Microarray Lab — part 2 of 2 (length: 9 minutes)
https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/956951/uiconf_id/43830551/entry_id/0_0ut8jgsj/embed/dynamic
Option 3. Read the Written Lab Manual (alternate)
This manual covers the lab in written form. It is a pdf file. Reading this manual from start to finish is an alternative method for completing the lab. This manual consists of screenshots and text copied from the lab website, as well as some additional explanation by your instructor. After reading this entire manual you should be well-prepared for taking the lab quiz.
https://blackboard.strayer.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-32549532-dt-content-rid-179602740_1/xid-179602740_1 Biology Discussions
Discussion 4
Part 1: Post a Response
This week is all about our DNA and gene expression. The complete set of all DNA in a cell is called the genome. The complete set of all the mRNA in a cell is called the transcriptome. Read the following article about the transcriptome found at:
https://www.genome.gov/13014330/transcriptome-fact-sheet/,
then address the following:
Explain how the transcriptome helps us to better understand the differences between cells from different types of tissues that are specialized for different functions.
What do you think is the most interesting or significant thing about the transcriptome?
Discussion 6
Part 1: Post a Response
This week you are exploring how emerging DNA technologies impact our society. View the NBC News story about CRISPR found at:
https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/video/life-changer-965215299885
, then, address the following questions:
What applications of CRISPR look particularly promising for improving human well-being? Justify your response.
Discuss the ethical issues you believe have arisen or are likely to arise with the deployment of CRISPR.
Discussion 7
Part 1: Post a Response
In California, Pacific Northern rattlesnakes prey on California ground squirrels. Their relationship is a great example of co-evolution. Read the article about their relationship found at
https://news.osu.edu/how-is-rattlesnake-venom-like-fine-wine-both-have-regional-varieties/,
and then address the following questions:
Explain why the relationship between these two species is considered an example of co-evolution.
What did you find most interesting or significant about how the rattlesnake population adapts to the squirrels defenses against its venom?
