Response to NOVA

The video we watched today explained about the recipe for life. We heard their point of view about how the elements needed to survive came together to create the simplest forms of life. From that, they believe that these forms have evolved to modern life now.

While playing the evolution in action game, it clearly portrays how evolution works. When the  environment changes too quick, then the organisims have no time to adapt and they die. If they are not spread out evenly the animals have a harder time feeding themselves and may die but when they are too isolated, they wont wont be able to reproduce quick enough. Only with perfect conditions can these organisms adapt, reproduce, and thrive. Finally, genetic variation plays a role since 20 percent of the time a mutation occured making it easier or harder to survive.

Response to NOVA

How did life on earth probably begin?
Every organism that exists or existed comes from a common ancestor billions of years ago. Life emerged from the following elements in chemistry: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. These elements form the building block of RNA, known as a ribonucleotide. Many scientists believe that RNA, or something similar to it, was the first molecule on Earth to self-replicate and begin the process of evolution that led to more advanced forms of life, such as humans. John Sutherland discovered a recipe for life which required sunlight. Although another possible recipe which contains no sunlight occurs in volcanic vents, thousands of feet below the surface of the Earth.

Anthers and Stigmas and Styles oh my!

Shannon Hanley 

Mr. Bursch 

Honors Biology period 4

2 February 2013

Anthers and Stigmas and Styles oh my!

Reproduction in Angiosperms takes place within the flower. Following pollination and fertilization, the seeds develop inside protective structures. Reproduction in angiosperms takes place within the flower. After pollination, the seeds of angiosperms develop inside protective structures. The anthers are part of the stamen, and stigmas are part of the pistil.  Anthers store the pollen while stigmas collect the pollen. The stamen (male part) contains the anther and filament. The anther produces pollen grains which are transferred to other flower’s stigmas. The filament and the polllen contained in the stalk produce the organ anther. The pistal (female part) contains the stigma, ovary, and the style. The stigma receives or raps the pollen. The ovary protects and stores the ovule. The style connects the ovary to the stigma.

   

Anthers & Stigmas & Styles, Oh My!

How do flowering plants (angiosperms) like our Brassica oleracea plants reproduce? 
Flowering plants reproduce through their pollen. The female part of a flowering plant is called the pistil, and on top is the stigma, also known as the "sticky stigma". On the other hand, the male part of flowering plants is called the stamen. Above the stamens are anthers, which inside pollen is produced. Once the pollen meets the stigma, it (pollen) acts as the sperm for the flowering plant. Reproduction begins when the pollen goes down the pollen tube and meets the egg.

• In the photo shown above, the green, centered & stem-look figure is called the style. Above the style, with the circular shape is the stigma where pollen meets and enters the pollen tube. Around the pistil are the anthers (yellow, fuzzy parts). Inside the anthers is where pollen is produced.

• Here we have a photo of a long stalk called the style and its sticky tip called the stigma. The pollen from a flower can get in touch with the stigma, either by wind, birds moving them around etc. 

• In the image shown above shows how the ovary has been cut open and contains small ovule, which are the unfertilized seeds that contain the female egg cell. Shown in the photograph, the ovule is the small, green ball near the stigma.

Anthers, Stigmas, and Styles, Oh My!

Above is the stamen, or the male reproductive system. Stamens produce pollen in saclike structures called anthers. The number of stamens is usually the same as the number of petals. Stamens usually consist of a long slender stalk, the filament, with the anthers at the tip. Some stamens are similar to leaves, with the anthers at or near the margins.

Here is the carpel, or the female reproductive system.It is the female part of the plant which produce fruit once pollination has taken place. The fruit contains seeds. (Carpels, stigma> top where it gets pollen, style > pollen travels down, ovary > where fruit is formed)

Above there are anthers surrounding the stigma. Pollen is typically highly desiccated when it leaves an anther. Stigmas have been shown to assist in the rehydration of pollen and in promoting germination of the pollen tube. Stigmas also ensure proper adhesion of the correct species of pollen.

Displayed is the female reproductive system, the ovary. The ovary contains ovules, which develop into seeds upon fertilization.

Responding to GATTACA

"They have you looking so hard for flaws that in the end that is all you look for" Vincent, after a confession to Irene. 

        This movie is based on perfection in genetics and any invalid is discriminated against. While Irene herself is not completely perfect, she has been engineered to seek out it. He tried to make her understand that although imperfections are not sought after, they are acceptable. With flaws, he faces adversity and accomplished what some valids never could have.