Negative Feedback Loops

Negative feedback loop is almost another name for the way in which are bodies maintain homeostasis. Examples of this are like our body temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. The blog about the blood sugar is an example of how negative feedback loops work. When something occurs in the body, like an intake of sugar, it rises, then the body works to bring the levels back down to normal. 

This picture is an example of a negative feedback loop.

Mitochondrial Eve

In class we have been discussing Mitochondrial Eve. Mitochondria is the DNA that everyone has that looks exactly like theirs mothers. The only time our Mito. DNA doesn't match our moms is if there has been some sort of genetic mutation. The idea of Mitochondrial Eve, is that if we trace back our Mit. DNA we will all be linked back to one specific woman. This shows that as humans we are all somehow linked to one another. Also, many believe that the reason we are all spread out and look different is because at one point in time groups of people left and moved in different directions across the globe. Once this occurred, people began to develop traits that help them live in their environment better. Some people developed darker skin because they needed it to protect them from the suns intense rays. Others loss this skin function because they no longer needed it where they live. 

This is a map of where different people have have left.

This picture is supposed to represent Mitochondrial Eve.

Russian Woman

Irish Woman

Chinese Woman

Burgess Shale

In class we watched a video about the Burgess Shale. This is the name of the fossil field in Canada that was discovered in the early 1900's. When first discovered the fossils were mistaken for animals that exist in our world today. However, after more research they found that these fossils were not anything like the species found today. Also, the animals were non-vertebrates. This is find is rare because it's usually the bone imprints that scientists use to determine the animals. Also, the animals image is pressed into the earth, so somehow the animals were slowly preserved into the land, leaving there spineless image. Finding this field allows scientists to look back at the ways species have evolved over time. 

Video of the animals found at the Shale.

Bioethanol Fuel

 In class we discussed the issue of fuel sources. The problem is that the US and the world are dependent upon products the we cannot renew, such as petroleum. While many ideas concerning a new source, bioethanol, is made up of food such as corn. We talked about the ramifications that can occur if we switch to this method. Using corn as an example as an alternative fuel source, we discussed how prices of corn would soar because it becomes extremely valuable. Anything made of corn would increase in price, which is almost all of our products. Also, farmers who grow other foods could possibly switch to making corn because of its high profit. The amount of people already starving from lack of access to food would increase greatly.

Although we talked about these different possibilities, none of which sound like they have a good end, I think it's important that people start to focus on how we can start to reduce our dependance on fuels in general. I feel that many people forget that we can carpool, or start to implement more realistic forms of public transportation. All across Europe they have mass train, and sub systems that help transport people all over the continent. If we began to use these methods in the US we could use less fuel, which can help the environment and our wallets. 

http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/02-03/biofuels/what_bioethanol.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum

Amphioxus

This organism is supposed to be the staring point for all vertebrates. It's believed that you can trace the evolutions of vertebrates from over 250 million years ago. These creatures are only about 5 centimeters long, and lack any sort of limbs. One body part they have in common with modern day vertebrates is a nerve cord similar to a spine, that runs through their bodies. They can also be found in different places around the world. 

Information link!!!

Dog Park

I think that the importance of having dog parks in communities is similar to having green space. It provides a place for people to go and get away from the city. The dog parks give dogs a place to run around and interact with other dogs. The owners also benefit because they get to the know fellow dog owners within the community. When I'm home from school over the breaks, I take my dog Charlie to a dog park near our home. When we go he gets to run around with other dogs, and I am able to meet new families, and become familiar with others who frequent the park. The park we go to have fenced in sections, for small dogs and big dogs. Each section has a little course that the dogs can play on. It also has a section for all dogs that you can throw frisbees and such in. 

This picture is of my dog, Charlie, hanging out by the obstacle course thing. 

And this is a picture of Charlie and me at the park!

Plant Update

At the beginning of the semester everyone got plant seeds to take care of and grow throughout the year. You could get sunflower seeds or tomato seeds. I chose to get tomato seeds. My plant was put in a small dixie cup to grow in. I kept it on the end table in my apartment near the windows in the living room. I gave it water every night and morning, and when it got super tall I attempted to prop it up. However, I failed at my attempts of keeping the plant from breaking in half, and it died. I did not take any pictures during my plants sort life, but I did find pictures that mirrored what it looked like.

The picture above is what my plant looked like within the first 2-3 days of having it. 

The chart above mimics what my plant slowly turned into within a two - three week time frame. However, my plant in the last stage displayed here, was much taller. Too tall to hold it self up, which is why it died.

This picture above it what I would like to believe my plant would have turned into. However, I more than likely would have had to move the plant into a much bigger pot for it to grow this big. I also would have had to figure out a way to keep it growing upwards.