Choose one particular ecosystem of interest to you. Investigate and describe the organisms, both plants and animals that live there. Has this ecosystem been altered by human activity over the past 100 years? Are there any plants or animals that have been exploited for human use? How has this affected the ecosystem? Write a brief (300-500 words) reflection on what you find, beginning with a description of the ecosystem and then responding to the questions presented. This is in Environmental Survey.

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Irving HeathcoteLv2

17 Nov 2018

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Microbiology Unit 2 Applied and Environmental Assignment Part 1: Identify Nutritional requirements from Chapter 6&14 (and review from chapters 1 & 2) 1. Determine which of the 4 macromolecules require the following elements: a. Carbon: carbohydrates___ lipids___ proteins___ nucleic acids___ b. Nitrogen: carbohydrates___ lipids___ proteins___ nucleic acids___ c. Sulfur: carbohydrates___ lipids___ proteins___ nucleic acids___ 2. The essential elements mentioned above are cycled through cells and the earth in biogeochemical cycles (the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles.)Select the correct answer or fill in the blanks to summarize these cycles: a. Carbon dioxide is taken in from the atmosphere by [autotrophs/heterotrophs] and converted to glucose through carbon ________________. When heterotrophs eat autotrophs they use catabolism to break down glucose to make ATP and waste carbon is released as ___________. b. There is plenty of nitrogen available in the atmosphere but it is not accessible to organisms because it is in the form of Nitrogen gas (N2). N2 is fixed by [bacteria/plants/animals] and converted to ammonia (NH3.) NH3 can be used by [bacteria/plants/animals] to build their cells. Next, by consuming food with amino acids,[bacteria/plants/animals] can get access to nitrogen for their own cellular needs. c. There is also a good quantity of sulfur in dirt, rocks, and the atmosphere. Sulfur cycles between H2S => S0 => SO4 => SH groups in Proteins => back to H2S.Using _________________ respiration, anoxygenic photosynthesis, and chemolithoautotrophy [bacteria/plants/animals]convert H2S and S0 to SO4 which is taken in by [bacteria/plants/animals] and used to build their cells. When [bacteria/plants/animals]eat plants they take in essential amino acids containing sulfur and recycle these to make their proteins. d. _________________ break down waste and dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the cycles. *The C and N are summarized here: https://youtu.be/2D7hZpIYlCA and https://youtu.be/leHy-Y_8nRs 3. Match the main metabolic classifications to the description: Classifications: photoautotroph/ photoheterotroph/ chemoautotroph/ chemoheterotroph o A microbe that makes its own food by taking carbon from CO2 in the atmosphere and its energy from sunlight o A microbe that makes its own food by taking carbon from CO2 in the atmosphere and its energy from reduced inorganic chemicals o A microbe that eats other organisms to get organic carbon and energy o A microbe that eats other organisms to get organic carbon but gets energy from sunlight 4. Identify the phases of the bacterial growth curve and define what occurs in each phase Phase A = ______________ Definition: Phase B = ______________ Definition: Phase C = ______________ Definition: Phase D = ______________ Definition: Part 2: Unique ecosystems containing microbes 5. Watch the video that shows hydrothermal vents: https://youtu.be/RO3nO98gH_M a. Describe bacteria that live at the vents using terms from the unit 2 reading guide: ________________________________________________________________________ b. Write a 2-3 sentence reflection about hydrothermal vents and the contribution of microbes to this ecosystem: 6. Apply what you have learned to the TED-Ed video about Biofilms: https://youtu.be/pHLP5CZMnL4 a. Give the terms for cell structures mentioned in the video that we learned in Chapter 4 and 7: i. âsticky appendagesâ thatallows bacteria to attach and begin the biofilm: _______________ ii. Extracellular matrix/gooey matrix that holds cells together: ____________________________ iii. Exchange genetic information while packed together: ____________________________ iv. Communicate with each other by _________________________________________ sensing. v. Produce chemical to kill microbial competitors: ____________________________ factor.

Choose one of the following topics:

1. Genetically modified organisms - Research various agricultural products currently on the market which have been genetically modified. Pick one to investigate further addressing the following questions/issues: What specifically has been modified with the product? How long has it been on the market? How much of the total genome has been modified? In general, is this product safe? Is there any way to know if you are eating this product versus the "normal" version? Should consumers be told they are consuming a genetically modified product? What do you think personally about these types of products? Would your position change if you were a vegetarian or an organic gardener, or the owner of a major food chain? List at least one source from your research.

2. Transgenic Animals- Research various transgenic animals. Pick one to investigate further addressing the following questions/issues: What is a transgenic animal? Which method was used to insert the foreign DNA? For what purpose was this animal "created"? Has it been successful? Is it currently being used to help humans? Also consider such aspects as animal suffering and animal rights. What if the animal contained human genes and ended up being consumed for food? Will this affect the overall genome of this creature in the wild? List at least one source from your research.

3. Cloning - Research cloning. Consider the following: How is the procedure done? What's the difference between reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning? What are the pros? What are the cons? Should it be regulated? Are there currently clones in the market now? Would a clone of a dead relative or pet have the same personality? List at least one source from your research.

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chocolateserval106

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 three 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 from the list below or from the expanded list of topics posted on November 16th in the announcements section)

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.

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.

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.