Genetics 11/18/16

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This week we were learning about genetics. This included DNA, genes, chromosomes, proteins, heredity, and traits.
DNA

I know that DNA stands for DeoxyriboNucleicAcid.

I also know the four letter DNA alphabet.

DNA is like the instructions that tell your cells what to do so you are able to live and grow.

Genes

Genes are like instruction manuals for your body. They are responsible for making the proteins that help our bodies function. Genes are made of DNA. One strand of DNA contains many genes. A human body has around 25,000 genes. Genes contain the instructions to build proteins.

Chromosomes

Chromosomes are packages for DNA. 1 human cell can hold 46 chromosomes. The human sex chromosomes are labeled X and Y. Female chromosomes are labeled X and X, and male chromosomes are labeled X and Y.

Proteins

1 cell contains thousands of different types of proteins. Proteins are super, super tiny. When scientists are trying to learn more about protein structure and function, their first thought is probably, 'Well, if they are super tiny, why not look at them through a microscope?' Well, proteins are really tiny. If you look at them through a microscope, you still won't be able to see them clearly. So scientists use computer programs to look at protein structure and  function. Genes provide the blueprint for making proteins.

But genes only provide the blueprint. They don't'’ actually make the proteins. Ribosomes do. Sorry, genes. Looks like you've  got to go back to the drawing board.

Heredity

Heredity is passing traits down to your children. Children aren't identical to one of their parents because they get traits from both of their parents. Each parent passes on 23 chromosomes to their offspring. And children don't always look identical to each other because they might get different traits passed on to them.

Traits

A trait is a notable quality or feature in a person. Physical traits, Behavioral traits, and predisposition to a medical condition are the types of traits that exist. If you dye your hair another color, you can change your natural hair color.

An allele is a set of genetic information that codes for different variations of the same trait.

S&EP: SP4: Analyzing data.

This week we created a graph on each other's traits. I worked with Daniel, Desmond, Elayna, and Gurpreet. This is our data.

SUPER HERO!!! 11/13/16

This week we started the superhero life science unit. We needed to choose an animal with “superpowers”. I chose the frogfish. The frogfish is a very special animal. It is strange in lots of ways. First of all, how it eats.

It’s stomach takes up most of its body, so it can sort of expand to fit whatever it eats. Second of all, it can swim, but when it does, it is very slow and clumsy. So it uses its fins to ‘walk’ on the ocean floor. A frogfish can also camouflage, and its textured body helps it blend in. It can either have hair, bumps, or smooth skin, and it can change color.

S and EP: SP 4: Analyzing and interpreting data

We found data in researching our animals. Then we had to organize it in our information sheet.

Wac: is it healthier to be an omnivore or a vegitarian?

        It is healthier to be an omnivore than a vegetarian. Meat eaters have stronger bodies than non meat-eaters. Meat makes you strong. Our bodies were built to eat meat. Humans have been eating meat even 1.5 million years ago. And only animal products contain vitamin B12, which helps you be healthy. 

       Meat eaters have stronger bodies than non meat-eaters. Meat contains vitamins B12, B3, and B6. It also has zinc and iron, two minerals that are very good for you. Zinc helps your immune system fight off bacteria and germs. Iron helps carry oxygen to different parts of your body. Vitamin B6 helps your body make neotransmitters, which are chemicals that carry signals from one nerve cell to another.

      Our bodies were built to eat meat. We have canine teeth to chew through tough meat. And meat is one of the reasons that the human brain has grown stronger and more elaborate. Meat contains important minerals and vitamins that maybe you cannot get from other things. 

      Only animal products contain vitamins like B12. Vitamin B12 helps your nerve and blood cells healthy. And only things like meat, eggs, milk and cheese (and other animal products) contain vitamin B12. Vitamin D3 is made out of cholesterol in the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun. And algae that you may find at the beach is a potential source of vitamin B12 in plants. But who wants to eat algae? 

      I could argue that vegetarians, though avoiding meat, are also avoiding the risk of obesity. Some grown ups might like that sentence I just wrote and may want to switch to vegetarian. But, not so fast. The weakness is are vegetarians getting enough calories? Of course, you don't want too many calories, but you do need to have enough to be healthy. 

      Vegetarians may not be getting enough calories to be healthy, but an omnivore (like us) usually does. Besides, who can resist a big, juicy hamburger? I'd rather be an omnivore and know I'm healthy than be vegetarian and wonder. That's why  an omnivore is healthier than a vegetarian.