Blog #2 Semester 2

Blog # 2 Why is fossil record hard to interpret?

Many fossils are thousands or million years old.  Some of the fossils are broken and only some parts of the fossil is not damage.  In this case, it is very hard to inerpret the fossils if the fossils is not in one piece.  Sometimes, sand and dust can also damage and cover some parts of the fossils.

Blog #1 Semester 2

Why is evolution a theory and not a law?

 Evolution is the change over time in the proportion of individual organisms differing in one or more inherited traits.  The evolution is a theory because there is not enough information to prove how the evolution started.  No one knows how the first cell in this planet is created.  Therefore, the evolution can only be a theory.

Blog #14

What was you favorite activity/topic this year? Why was it a favorite?



My favorite activity of this year is the chip burning lap.  I like it because we can burn chips and eat the left overs after.  It was very fun except the fact that we burn the chips out in the sun.  It is very HOT!

What was your least favorite? Why?

I think learning about cells is my least favorite topic.  I am not very interested in cells and I don't know much about it.  A lot of the notes on it is hard and I have to try very hard to get it.  Therefore, I think cells is my least favorite topic.

If you could change one thing (Not the amount of homework) what would it be and how would you change it?
I think the points Ms. Malonek gives to my notebook is too high.  When I'm trying to calculate the points, I get very dizzy and crazy because the number is too big.

Blog #13

Blog#13 How has DNA changed how we investigate crimes? What are the two main tests? Describe them

DNA changed the way we investigate because it had helped us find the perpetrator through blood, saliva, hair, fingerprints.  PCR only needs little DNA  and it is very cheaper.  PCR is often used because of its efficiency.  PCR uses repeated regions of the DNA and copies it with another region.  Then, it uses primers to indicate a starting point of where the DNA copying should start.

RFLP requires large amount of DNA that is "fresh".  In RFLP, thousands of cells are collected and then cut in the same place with a restriction enzyme. Next, the cut DNA is sorted by size through a gel which allows smaller pieces of DNA to pass through quicker than the larger pieces of DNA. After, another copy of the gel is used to trap the pieces of DNA which is later on treated with probe. Finally, the sizes and how the DNA is distributed is noted down and repeated for many other people.

Blog #12

Look up Gregor Mendel and his pea plant experiments Why does P1 look all alike and F1 looks very different?

The P1 look similar because they are purebreds and parents.The F2 looks different because they are not a purebreds so they are a mix of genes from the F1 generation, which also looks the same because they are offsprings of the P1, so they have the same amount of genes.

Blog #10

Step 1) Shred Cabbage - I use my food processor for speed and ease. If you shred by hand, make sure the shreds are no thicker than a nickel or dime!

Step 2) Mix, with wooden spoon or very clean hands, 5 pounds of shredded cabbage with 4 tablespoons of Kosher salt (pickling salt will do but changes the flavor a bit - do not use table salt) and toss and mix thoroughly until kosher salr dissolves! (You can make as much as you wish as long as you use the ratio of 5 lbs. cabbage to 4 Tbs. salt.)

NOTE: If you plan on refrigerating and not canning use 3 tbs of salt not 4!

Step 3) When juice starts to form on cabbage from tossing - Pack the cabbage firmly and evenly into a clean crock, glass or enamel container. Press firmly to encourage juice formation. Fill the utensil no closer than 5 inches from the top.

Step 4) Make sure juice covers the cabbage completely! (This does not always happen unless the cabbage is fresh from the garden) I prepare additional brine by putting 1 1/2 Tablespoons of kosher salt into 1 quart of boiling water. Dissolve salt and cool brine to room temperature before adding to the pot of cabbage.

Step 5) Once cabbage is immersed in brine water, place a large food grade, plastic bag filled with brine water and lay on top if cabbage... (I use 2 large bags, one inside the other   - sometimes a 2 gal freezer bag - with a couple of quarts of cooled brine water inside - this if the bag breaks it will not water down the cabbage into a tasteless mess)

The cabbage must be well sealed all around with the bag, so no air can get in and contaminate the sauerkraut with unwanted yeasts or molds!

Step 6) Now cover the container with plastic wrap, then a heavy towel or cloth and tie securely into place. Do not remove this until fermenting is complete!

Step 7) Put in an area where the temperature will not be above 75 degrees. Fermentation will begin within a day, depending upon the room temperature.

Step 8) If room temperature is 75 degrees allow 3 weeks for fermentation. If temperature is 70 degrees allow 4 weeks. If temperature is 65 degrees allow 5 weeks. If temperature is 60 degrees allow 6 weeks.

Step 9) Once fermented taste to see if your required tartness exists. Tartness will weaken as you process in canning so make sure it is a wee bit more tart than you like!

 

NOTE: The sauerkraut may not ferment and could spoil, If temperature is above 75 or 76 degrees!

!!!!! Fermentation is the process of deriving energy from the oxidation of organic compounds, such as carbohydrates, and using an endogenous electron acceptor, which is usually an organic compound. In this recipe due to fermantaion the cabage is cooked over time, with any heat.

 

 

Blog #11

Blog 11 In the movie Gattaca parents were allowed to pick the traits of their babies, should we be able to do this? Why or why not?
 No, if all the parents can  pick the traits of their babies, then the world will be fill with the same kind of people because all the parents will pick perfect traits.  Soon this world will have no one competing against each other becuase everyone are the same.  The world will be very boring and will suck.