umuc biol103 full course (discussions+Assignments)

11 Jun umuc biol103 full course (discussions+Assignments)

Question
Week 1 discussion

In this class, you will have to participate in discussions in addition to completing other assignments. Most week’s you will have to post a response and then respond to two other students. Because we are just starting, for this week, you only need to post an initial response. But, feel free to respond to any other student.

Please do the following. Introduce yourself to the class. Tell us about your background. Have you taken any online classes before? Why are you taking this class? What are your career objectives?

Usually, you must make your initial post by Thursday and then respond to two other students by Sunday. Since this is not a factual discussion, I will not require you to respond to other students but please feel free to do so. In subsequent weeks, you will need to respond to other students.

Since you are only required to make one post, you will need to do it by Sunday at 11:59 PM but for other weeks, your initial post will be due on Thursdays.

Week 2 discussion

Chemistry

In the discussion sections for each week, I will be asking questions relating to the class material for some weeks but for other times, I would like to use this section to discuss the laboratories.

Many people (students and faculty) comment that in an online laboratory students miss out compared to an on campus laboratory, because they do not get to interact with other students. I would like to use these discussion sections for you to ask questions you do not understand, comment on the protocol and results and even show your results. Please do not post answers to any of the questions.

This week, we are learning about chemistry. Many times I have discussion about bonds and students write much of the same thing which is understandable.

Since this is the first “wet” lab, post any comments or questions here that you have about this SPECIFIC laboratory. If you have not performed the lab yet, you can just comment on what you read. If you have performed the lab, comment on what you did or problems that you might have had.

I have posted below some “drawings” including pictures I found on the Internet to help explain this lab. I believe some experiments are more visual than others and I think this one needs a picture. I posted the pictures as word documents. If anyone is more artistic and/or would like to add anything to these drawings, please do so. I will not be offended. Remember, this is the first lab that you must also post your own pictures of your own experiment.

For this and subsequent sections, you must make your initial response by Thursday and your response to two students is due on Sunday.

Week 3 discussion

Organelles

For the first part of this week’s lab, you will learn about the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In the second part of the lab, you will study the process of osmosis.

For your discussion topic this week, you can post two types of responses – you could post a response that explains some organelle or feature found in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell. Or, you could explain something about osmosis. I would like to emphasize that this section should help students with the lab. So, if you have problems with the setup, you can post that here or post pictures of your setup. I realize that this post is a few days before your lab is due so you may want to post pictures when you respond to other students.

I have also posted below a document giving more details on performing this experiment. There are a few pictures but also additional text. Students are also required to post pictures of their setup, I think that could help others.

Week 4 discussion

Obesity

This week’s laboratory is on enzymes and is relatively straight forward. It is an important laboratory since your applied lab will be based off of this lab. I have provided a drawing for the first experiment. The second experiment is difficult to draw out as it is more a 3D experiment. I have posted a question below. For this lab, you need to provide a picture of your experiment but you can also comment on the lab here.

This discussion below will be more based on the “lecture” portion of this class.

This week’s discussion is based on the application spotlight section. You can answer either or both questions that I have posted below.

What are some effects of children being obese? What are some ways that society, schools or parents can try to decrease the number of children being obese? You might also comment on whether it is really the job of society to decrease the number of children who are obese. You can also answer the same question in relation to adults being obese. I would just slightly modify my end comments about children and ask if we should limit what adults eat or drink or impose penalties if they are overweight or obese.

Week 5 discussion

Meiosis

The processes of mitosis and meiosis can be confusing to students. For this discussion, write a question on either topic or on the cell cycle that you want clarified. Let’s try not to just repeat answers. There are a lot of questions that can be asked in this unit. There are also a lot of new words that begin with the letter C. You can ask questions about the differences between the processes. You can also post questions and/or comments on the lab for the week.

Week 6 discussion

The discussion for this week allows for some interpretation. You are to discuss the limitation of scientific knowledge based on specific examples. For example, scientists have been cloning animals for a number of years. Just because they have the scientific knowledge, there may be limitations for its use. Should we use this knowledge to clone humans? Students can expand on this topic or discuss their own interpretations on how limits of scientific knowledge.

Here is another example: This is a little different than cloning but there have been cases, where parents had another child so they could treat the first one. For example, a couple may have an older child who has leukemia. They might then have another child so they could use their bone marrow to treat the sick child. Do you all think that science should be used for this purpose? Also, how do you feel about donating umbilical cord blood?

Week 7 discussion

For this last discussion of the class, please just post a response commenting on your feelings about this class so it might be improved in the future. Did you feel that the pace was too fast? Were you able to complete the assignments on time? What did you think about the lab kit? Post any other constructive comments that you have.

You do not have to respond to other students for this discussion but feel free to do so if you want to.

Your Full Name:

UMUC Biology 102/103

Lab 1: Introduction to Science

INSTRUCTIONS:

• On your own and without assistance, complete this Lab 1 Answer Sheet electronically and submit it via the Assignments Folder by the date listed in the Course Schedule (under Syllabus).

• To conduct your laboratory exercises, use the Laboratory Manual located under Course Content. Read the introduction and the directions for each exercise/experiment carefully before completing the exercises/experiments and answering the questions.

• Save your Lab 1 Answer Sheet in the following format: LastName_Lab1 (e.g., Smith_Lab1).

• You should submit your document as a Word (.doc or .docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) file for best compatibility.

Exercise 1: Data Interpretation

Dissolved oxygen is oxygen that is trapped in a fluid, such as water. Since many living organism requires oxygen to survive, it is a necessary component of water systems such as streams, lakes and rivers in order to support aquatic life. The dissolved oxygen is measured in units of ppm (parts per million). Examine the data in Table 4 showing the amount of dissolved oxygen present and the number of fish observed in the body of water the sample was taken from; finally, answer the questions below.

Post-Lab Questions

1. What patterns do you observe based on the information in Table 4?

2. Develop a hypothesis relating to the amount of dissolved oxygen measured in the water sample and the number of fish observed in the body of water.

3. What would your experimental approach be to test this hypothesis?

4. What would be the independent and dependent variables?

5. What would be your control?

6. What type of graph would be appropriate for this data set? Why?

7. Graph the data from Table 4: Water Quality vs. Fish Population (found at the beginning of this exercise).

8. Interpret the data from the graph made in Question 7

Exercise 2: Experimental Variables

Determine the variables tested in the each of the following experiments. If applicable, determine and identify any positive or negative controls.

Observations

1. A study is being done to test the effects of habitat space on the size of fish populations. Different sized aquariums are set up with six goldfish in each one. Over a period of six months, the fish are fed the same type and amount of food. The aquariums are equally maintained and cleaned throughout the experiment. The temperature of the water is kept constant. At the end of the experiment the number of surviving fish is surveyed.

A. Independent Variable:

B. Dependent Variable:

C. Controlled Variables/Constants:

D. Experimental Controls/Control Groups:

2. To determine if the type of agar affects bacterial growth, a scientist cultures E. coli on four different types of agar. Five petri dishes are set up to collect results:

? One with nutrient agar and E. coli

? One with mannitol-salt agar and E. coli

? One with MacConkey agar and E. coli

? One with LB agar and E. coli

? One with nutrient agar but NO E. coli

All of the petri dishes received the same volume of agar, and were the same shape and size. During the experiment, the temperature at which the petri dishes were stored, and at the air quality remained the same. After one week the amount of bacterial growth was measured.

A. Independent Variable:

B. Dependent Variable:

C. Controlled Variables/Constants:

D. Experimental Controls/Control Groups:

Exercise 3: Testable Observations

Determine which of the following observations (1-6) are testable. For those that are testable answer the following questions:

Determine if the observation is qualitative or quantitative

Write a hypothesis and null hypothesis

What would be your experimental approach?

What are the dependent and independent variables?

What are your controls – both positive and negative?

How will you collect your data?

How will you present your data (charts, graphs, types)?

How will you analyze your data?

Observations

1. A plant grows three inches faster per day when placed on a window sill than it does when placed on a on a coffee table in the middle of the living room.

2. The teller at the bank with brown hair and brown eyes is taller than the other tellers.

3. When Sally eats healthy foods, her blood pressure is 10 points lower than when she eats unhealthy foods.

4. The Italian restaurant across the street closes at 9 pm but the one two blocks away closes at 10 pm.

5. For the past two days, the clouds have come out at 3 pm and it has started raining at 3:15 pm.

6. George did not sleep at all the night following the start of daylight savings.

Exercise 4: Conversion

For each of the following, convert each value into the designated units.

1. 46,756,790 mg = _______ kg

2. 5.6 hours = ________ seconds

3. 13.5 cm = ________ inches

4. 47 °C = _______ °F

UMUC Biology 102/103

Lab 2: The Chemistry of Life

INSTRUCTIONS:

• On your own and without assistance, complete this Lab 2 Answer Sheet electronically and submit it via the Assignments Folder by the date listed in the Course Schedule (under Syllabus).

• To conduct your laboratory exercises, use the Laboratory Manual located under Course Content. Read the introduction and the directions for each exercise/experiment carefully before completing the exercises/experiments and answering the questions.

• Save your Lab 2 Answer Sheet in the following format: LastName_Lab2 (e.g., Smith_Lab2).

• You should submit your document as a Word (.doc or .docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) file for best compatibility.

Pre-Lab Questions

1. Nitrogen fixation is a natural process by which inert or unreactive forms of nitrogen are transformed into usable nitrogen. Why is this process important to life?

2. Given what you have learned about the hydrogen bonding shared between nucleic acids in DNA, which pair is more stable under increasing heat: adenine and thymine, or cytosine and guanine? Explain why.

3. Which of the following is not an organic molecule; Methane (CH4), Fructose (C6H12O6), Rosane (C20H36), or Ammonia (NH3)? How do you know?

Experiment 1: Testing for Proteins

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Table 1: A Priori Predictions

Sample Initial Color Final Color Is Protein Present?

1. Albumin Solution

2. Gelatin Solution

3. Glucose

4. Water

5. Unknown

Sample Initial Color Final Color Is Protein Present?

1. Albumin Solution

2. Gelatin Solution

3. Glucose

4. Water

5. Unknown

Table 2: Testing for Proteins Results

Take a picture of your results. Include a note with your name and date on an index card in the picture. Insert picture here:

Post-Lab Questions

1. Write a statement to explain the molecular composition of the unknown solution based on the results obtained during testing with each reagent.

2. How did your a priori predictions from Table 1 compare to your actual results in Table 2? If there were any inconsistencies, explain why this occurred.

3. Identify the positive and negative controls used in this experiment. Explain how each of these controls are used, and why they are necessary to validate the experimental results.

4. Identify two regions which proteins are vital components in the human body. Why are they important to these regions?

5. Diet and nutrition are closely linked to the study of biomolecules. Describe one method by which you could monitor your food intake to ensure the cells in your body have the materials necessary to function.

Experiment 2: Testing for Reducing Sugars

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Table 3: Testing for Reducing Sugars Results

Sample Initial Color Final Color

Reducing Sugar Present

1 – Potato

2 – Onion

3 – Glucose Solution

4 – Water

5 – Unknown

Take a picture of your results. Include a note with your name and date on an index card in the picture. Insert picture here:

Post-Lab Questions

1. What can you conclude about the molecular make-up of potatoes and onions based on the two tests you performed? Why might these foods contain these substance(s)?

2. What results would you expect if you tested ribose, a monosaccharide, with Benedict’s solution? Biuret solution?

Experiment 3: What Household Substances are Acidic or Basic?

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Table 4: pH Values of Common Household Substances

Substance

pH Prediction

Test Strip Color and pH

Acetic Acid (Vinegar)

Sodium Bicarbonate Solution (Baking Soda)

Take a picture of your results. Include a note with your name and date on an index card in the picture. Insert picture here:

Post-Lab Questions

1. What is the purpose of determining the pH of the acetic acid and the sodium bicarbonate solution before testing the other household substances?

2. Compare and contrast acids and bases in terms of their H+ ion and OH- ion concentrations.

3. Name two acids and two bases you often use.

UMUC Biology 102/103

Lab 3: Cell Structure and Function

INSTRUCTIONS:

• On your own and without assistance, complete this Lab 3 Answer Sheet electronically and submit it via the Assignments Folder by the date listed in the Course Schedule (under Syllabus).

• To conduct your laboratory exercises, use the Laboratory Manual located under Course Content. Read the introduction and the directions for each exercise/experiment carefully before completing the exercises/experiments and answering the questions.

• Save your Lab 3 Answer Sheet in the following format: LastName_Lab3 (e.g., Smith_Lab3).

• You should submit your document as a Word (.doc or .docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) file for best compatibility.

Pre-Lab Questions

1. Identify the major similarities and differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

2. Where is the DNA housed in a prokaryotic cell? Where is it housed in a eukaryotic cell?

3. Identify three structures which provide support and protection in a eukaryotic cell.?

Experiment 1: Cell Structure and Function

Post-Lab Questions

1. Label each of the arrows in the following slide image:

2. What is the difference between the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

3. Would an animal cell be able to survive without a mitochondria? Why or why not?

4. What could you determine about a specimen if you observed a slide image showing the specimen with a cell wall, but no nucleus or mitochondria?

5. Hypothesize why parts of a plant, such as the leaves, are green, but other parts, such as the roots, are not. Use scientific reasoning to support your hypothesis.?

Experiment 2: Osmosis – Direction and Concentration Gradients

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Table 3: Sucrose Concentration vs. Tubing Permeability

Band Color Sucrose % Initial Volume (mL) Final Volume (mL) Net Displacement (mL)

Yellow

Red

Blue

Green

Hypothesis:

Take a picture of your results. Include a note with your name and date on an index card in the picture. Insert picture here:

Post-Lab Questions

1. For each of the tubing pieces, identify whether the solution inside was hypotonic, hypertonic, or isotonic in comparison to the beaker solution in which it was placed

2. Which tubing increased the most in volume? Explain why this happened.

3. What do the results of this experiment this tell you about the relative tonicity between the contents of the tubing and the solution in the beaker?

4. What would happen if the tubing with the yellow band was placed in a beaker of distilled water?

5. How are excess salts that accumulate in cells transferred to the blood stream so they can be removed from the body? Be sure to explain how this process works in terms of tonicity.

6. If you wanted water to flow out of a tubing piece filled with a 50% solution, what would the minimum concentration of the beaker solution need to be? Explain your answer using scientific evidence

7. How is this experiment similar to the way a cell membrane works in the body? How is it different? Be specific with your response.

UMUC Biology 102/103

Lab 4: Enzymes

INSTRUCTIONS:

• On your own and without assistance, complete this Lab 4 Answer Sheet electronically and submit it via the Assignments Folder by the date listed in the Course Schedule (under Syllabus).

• To conduct your laboratory exercises, use the Laboratory Manual located under Course Content. Read the introduction and the directions for each exercise/experiment carefully before completing the exercises/experiments and answering the questions.

• Save your Lab 4 Answer Sheet in the following format: LastName_Lab4 (e.g., Smith_Lab4).

• You should submit your document as a Word (.doc or .docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) file for best compatibility.?

Pre-Lab Questions

1. How could you test to see if an enzyme was completely saturated during an experiment?

2. List three conditions that would alter the activity of an enzyme. Be specific with your explanation.

3. Take a look around your house and identify household products that work by means of an enzyme. Name the products, and indicate how you know they work with an enzyme.?

Experiment 1: Enzymes In Food

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Table 1: Substance vs. Starch Presence

Substance

Resulting Color

Presence of Starch?

Is Amylase present?

Positive Control: Starch

Negative Control: _____

Student must select

Food Product: ______

Student must select

Food Product: ______

Student must select

Saliva

Take a picture of your results. Include a note with your name and date on an index card in the picture. Insert picture here:

Post-Lab Questions

1. What were your controls for this experiment? What did they demonstrate? Why was saliva included in this experiment?

2. What is the function of amylase? What does amylase do to starch?

3. Which of the foods that you tested contained amylase? Which did not? What experimental evidence supports your claim?

4. Saliva does not contain amylase until babies are two months old. How could this affect an infant’s digestive requirements?

5. There is another digestive enzyme (other than salivary amylase) that is secreted by the salivary glands. Research to determine what this enzyme is called. What substrate does it act on? Where in the body does it become activated, and why?

6. Digestive enzymes in the gut include proteases, which digest proteins. Why don’t these enzymes digest the stomach and small intestine, which are partially composed of protein?

Experiment 2: Effect of Temperature on Enzyme Activity

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Table 2: Balloon Circumference vs. Temperature

Tube Temperature (°C) Balloon Circumference (Uninflated; cm) Balloon Circumference (Inflated; cm)

1 – (Cold)

2 – (RT)

3 – (Hot)

Take a picture of your results. Include a note with your name and date on an index card in the picture. Insert picture here:

Post-Lab Questions

1. What reaction is being catalyzed in this experiment?

2. What is the name of the enzyme in this experiment? What is the substrate?

3. What is the independent variable in this experiment? What is the dependent variable?

4. How does the temperature affect enzyme function? Use evidence from your data to support your answer

5. Draw a graph of balloon diameter vs. temperature. What is the correlation?

6. Is there a negative control in this experiment? If yes, identify the control. If no, suggest how you could revise the experiment to include a negative control.

7. In general, how would an increase in substrate alter enzyme activity? Draw a graph to illustrate this relationship.

8. Design an experiment to determine the optimal temperature for enzyme function, complete with controls. Where would you find the enzymes for this experiment? What substrate would you use?

Your Full Name:

UMUC Biology 102/103

Lab 5: Meiosis

INSTRUCTIONS:

• On your own and without assistance, complete this Lab 5 Answer Sheet electronically and submit it via the Assignments Folder by the date listed in the Course Schedule (under Syllabus).

• To conduct your laboratory exercises, use the Laboratory Manual located under Course Content. Read the introduction and the directions for each exercise/experiment carefully before completing the exercises/experiments and answering the questions.

• Save your Lab 5 Answer Sheet in the following format: LastName_Lab5 (e.g., Smith_Lab5).

• You should submit your document as a Word (.doc or .docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) file for best compatibility.?

Pre-Lab Questions

1. Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis.

2. What major event occurs during interphase?

Experiment 1: Following Chromosomal DNA Movement through Meiosis

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Trial 1 – Meiotic Division Without Crossing Over Beads Diagram:

Take pictures of your beads for each phase of meiosis I and II without crossing over. Include notes with your name, date and meiotic stage on index cards in the pictures. Please use the lowest resolution possible so that your file does not become too large to submit.

Insert pictures here:

Prophase I

Metaphase I

Anaphase I

Telophase I

Prophase II

Metaphase II

Anaphase II

Telophase I

Cytokinesis

Trial 2 – Meiotic Division with Crossing Over Beads Diagram:

Take pictures of your beads for each phase of meiosis I and II with crossing over. Include notes with your name, date and meiotic stage on index cards in the pictures. Please use the lowest resolution possible so that your file does not become too large to submit.

Insert pictures here:

Prophase I

Metaphase I

Anaphase I

Telophase I

Prophase II

Metaphase II

Anaphase II

Telophase I

Cytokinesis

Post-Lab Questions

1.What is the ploidy of the DNA at the end of meiosis I? What about at the end of meiosis II?

2.How are meiosis I and meiosis II different?

3.Why do you use non-sister chromatids to demonstrate crossing over?

4.What combinations of alleles could result from a crossover between BD and bd chromosomes?

5.How many chromosomes were present when meiosis I started?

6.How many nuclei are present at the end of meiosis II? How many chromosomes are in each?

7.Identify two ways that meiosis contributes to genetic recombination.

8.Why is it necessary to reduce the number of chromosomes in gametes, but not in other cells?

9.Blue whales have 44 chromosomes in every cell. Determine how many chromosomes you would expect to find in the following:

i. Sperm Cell:

ii. Egg Cell:

iii. Daughter Cell from Mitosis:

iv. Daughter Cell from Meiosis II:

10. Research and find a disease that is caused by chromosomal mutations. When does the mutation occur? What chromosomes are affected? What are the consequences?

11. Diagram what would happen if sexual reproduction took place for four generations using diploid (2n) cells.

Experiment 2: The Importance of Cell Cycle Control

For each of the five abnormalities you find online, copy and paste a picture of it (and be sure to cite the URL for the picture)—you will not be photographing your own results for this section of lab, because you’re doing your research online for the questions below.

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

1. [paste in your online picture and cite the URL]

2. [paste in your online picture and cite the URL]

3. [paste in your online picture and cite the URL]

4. [paste in your online picture and cite the URL]

5. [paste in your online picture and cite the URL]

Post-Lab Questions

1. Record your hypothesis from Step 1 in the Procedure section here.

2. What do your results indicate about cell cycle control?

3. Suppose a person developed a mutation in a somatic cell which diminishes the performance of the body’s natural cell cycle control proteins. This mutation resulted in cancer, but was effectively treated with a cocktail of cancer-fighting techniques. Is it possible for this person’s future children to inherit this cancer-causing mutation? Be specific when you explain why or why not.

4. Why do cells which lack cell cycle control exhibit karyotypes which look physically different than cells with normal cell cycle.

5. What are HeLa cells? Why are HeLa cells appropriate for this experiment?

Your Full Name:

UMUC Biology 102/103

Lab 6: Taxonomy

INSTRUCTIONS:

• On your own and without assistance, complete this Lab 6 Answer Sheet electronically and submit it via the Assignments Folder by the date listed in the Course Schedule (under Syllabus).

• To conduct your laboratory exercises, use the Laboratory Manual located under Course Content. Read the introduction and the directions for each exercise/experiment carefully before completing the exercises/experiments and answering the questions.

• Save your Lab 6 Answer Sheet in the following format: LastName_Lab6 (e.g., Smith_Lab6).

• You should submit your document as a Word (.doc or .docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) file for best compatibility.

Pre-Lab Questions

1. Use the following classifications to determine which organism is least related out of the three. Explain your rationale.

Table 2: Classifications

Classification Level American Green Tree Frog European Fire- Bellied Toad Eastern Newt

Domain Eukarya Eukarya Eukarya

Kingdom Animalia Animalia Animalia

Phylum Chordata Chordata Chordata

Class Amphibia Amphibia Amphibia

Order Anura Anura Caudata

Family Hylidae Bombinatoridae Salamandridae

Genus Tursipops Bombina Notophthalmus

Species cinerea bombina viridescens

2. How has DNA sequencing affected the science of classifying organisms?

3. You are on vacation and see an organism that you do not recognize. Discuss what possible steps you can take to classify it.

Exercise 1: Dichotomous Key Practice

Table 3: Dichotomous Key Results

Organism Binomial Name

i

ii

iii

iv

v

vi

vii

viii

ix

x

xi

xii

xiii

Post-Lab Questions

1. What do you notice about the options of each step as they go from number one up?

2. How does your answer from Question 1 relate to the Linnaean classification system?

Exercise 2: Classification of Organisms

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Table 2: Key Characteristics of Some Organisms

Organism Kingdom

Domain Defined Nucleus Motile Cell Wall Photosynthesis Unicellular

E. coli Yes Yes

Protozoa Yes Yes Yes

Mushroom Yes Yes

Sunflower Yes Yes Yes

Bear Yes Yes

Figure 4: Exercise 2 – Classification of Organisms Flow Chart

Post-Lab Questions

1. Did this series of questions correctly organize each organism? Why or why not?

2. What additional questions would you ask to further categorize the items within the kingdoms (Hint: think about other organisms in each of the kingdoms and what makes them different than the examples used here)?

3. What questions would you have asked instead of the ones that you answered above when classifying the organisms?

UMUC Biology 102/103

Lab 7: Ecological Interactions

INSTRUCTIONS:

• On your own and without assistance, complete this Lab 7 Answer Sheet electronically and submit it via the Assignments Folder by the date listed in the Course Schedule (under Syllabus).

• To conduct your laboratory exercises, use the Laboratory Manual located under Course Content. Read the introduction and the directions for each exercise/experiment carefully before completing the exercises/experiments and answering the questions.

• Save your Lab 7 Answer Sheet in the following format: LastName_Lab7 (e.g., Smith_Lab7).

• You should submit your document as a Word (.doc or .docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) file for best compatibility.

Pre-Lab Questions

1. Would you expect endangered species to be more frequently generalists or specialists? Explain your answer.

2. How does temperature affect water availability in an ecosystem?

3. Choose a species and describe some adaptations that species developed that allow them to survive in their native habitat.

Experiment 1: Effects of pH on Radish Seed Germination

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Table 1: pH and Radish Seed Germination

Stage/Day Observations Acetic Acid Sodium Bicarbonate Water

Initial pH

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Take a picture of your results. Include a note with your name and date on an index card in the picture. Insert picture here:

Post-Lab Questions

1. Compare and construct a line graph based on the data from Table 1 in the space below. Place the day on the x axis, and the number of seeds germinated on the y axis. Be sure to include a title, label the x and y axes, and provide a legend describing which line corresponds to each plate (e.g., blue = acetic acid, green = sodium bicarbonate, etc…).

2. Was there any noticeable effect on the germination rate of the radish seeds as a result of the pH? Compare and contrast the growth rate for the control with the alkaline and acidic solutions.

3. According to your results would you say that the radish has a broad pH tolerance? Why or why not? Use your data to support your answer.

4. Knowing that acid rain has a pH of 2 – 3 would you conclude that crop species with a narrow soil pH range are in trouble? Explain why, or why not, using scientific reasoning. Is acid rain a problem for plant species and crops?

5. Research and briefly describe a real world example about how acid rain affects plants. Be sure to demonstrate how pH contributes to the outcome, and proposed solutions (if any). Descriptions should be approximately 2 – 3 paragraphs. Include at least three citations (use APA formatting).

Writing assignment

Submission Folder

Biology and Technology in the Real World

Instructions

Written Assignment: Biology and Technology in the Real World

Addresses course outcomes 1-4:

recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems

make observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations

weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific method

use knowledge of biological principles, the scientific method, and appropriate technologies to ask relevant questions, develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, interpret results, and draw conclusions

1. Select one of the topics listed below.

2. Find at least two information sources related to the topic. You can find assistance with searching for articles at the UMUC Library Subject Guides at http://libguides.umuc.edu/science.

3. Write a 750-1500 word paper, excluding references and title page. You must read the information sources that you find and summarize the information in your own words, addressing each of the questions and expectations for your chosen topic. Extensive quotes from the article are discouraged. Use APA style for citing references, see https://www.umuc.edu/library/libhow/apa_tutorial.cfm

4. Post your assignment to the Assignment folder by the due date listed in the course schedule.

Topics (select one)

a) Genetically modified organisms (GMOs). What is the purpose genetic engineering of crop plants and domestic animals? Briefly explain how GMOs are created. What foods in your supermarket contain GMOs? Are foods that contain GMOs safe for human consumption? What types of regulations exist for these foods? Clearly explain your reasoning for each answer. The following website from FDA regarding GMO regulation may be helpful: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm352067.htm

b) Stem cells. Your friend had a spinal cord injury after a bad car accident. The medical team has decided that he is a good candidate for a clinical trial using stem cell therapy. Your friend has not had a biology course since high school, so you decide to write him a letter sharing your knowledge of stem cells. Include in your letter a description of the biology of stem cells and how these cells are unique from other cells. Contrast the different types of stem cells, including pros and cons of each. Explain how stems cells are can be used to treat diseases and injury, with special focus on spinal cord injuries. Conclude with your own opinion. The following website from NIH regarding stem cell research will be very helpful: http://stemcells.nih.gov/index.asp.

c) Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) and tar sands (oil sands). With society’s dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels, the oil & gas industry is turning to the use of hydraulic fracturing and tar (oil) sands to extract natural gas and oil respectively. A friend asks you “What’s all this controversy in the news about fracking and tar sands?” Briefly explain to your friend how hydraulic fracturing and tar (oil) sands are used to obtain these fossil fuels. Then, in more detail, describe the environmental problems that may result from these processes and why they are controversial. Issues that may be addressed involves, but are not limited to, water, air and soil pollution, effects on human health, effects on other species and natural ecosystems. Finally, give your opinions on possible solutions to these environmental problems, with your reasoning backed by the references that you studied. The following websites from EPA may be helpful: http://www2.epa.gov/hydraulicfracturing

Outline final assessments

Submission Folder

Outline Final Applied Lab Project

Instructions

Include the following in your outline:

Name of enzyme you will use

Name of organism (if applicable)

The substrate and products in the chemical reaction

Method for measuring enzyme activity

Treatment: acidic fluid(s), pH, length of exposure, how you will treat your samples

The control(s) in the experiment

Hypothesis

How you will present your data (table and/or type of graph)

Anything else you would like to get feedback on before you start your experiment

Final Applied Lab Project

Instructions

Final Applied Lab Project (1 credit Lab Component)

Addresses course outcomes 1-4:

recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems

make observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations

weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific method

use knowledge of biological principles, the scientific method, and appropriate technologies to ask relevant questions, develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, interpret results, and draw conclusions

This is the culminating lab assessment in BIOL 103. It is designed to assess your ability to apply the principles of the scientific method.

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