Choose two organisms that interact with each other, such as bees and flowers, or consider the effect of any environmental factor on an organism, such as light, sound, air quality, food preference, or nutrient quantity or quality.

For this assignment, choose two organisms that interact with each other, such as bees and flowers, or consider the effect of any environmental factor on an organism, such as light, sound, air quality, food preference, or nutrient quantity or quality . Now form a simple hypothesis about this interaction. Include the observation that led you to a hypothesis . Use the scientific method and your imagination to design an experiment that you might do to test this hypothesis. Be sure to include controls, and describe the variables that would remain constant and the one that you want to test. (Remember, you can only test one variable at a time.) Describe the type of data you would collect, and h... click for more

Evolution of antibiotic resistance

The evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations is a direct consequence of natural selection applied by widespread use of antibiotic drugs. When a new antibiotic is first introduced, it kills the vast majority of bacteria exposed to it. The surviving bacterial cells, however, may include individuals whose genomes happen to include a mutant gene that confers resistance. As Darwin understood, individuals carrying the resistance gene will leave behind a disproportionately large share of offspring, which inherit the gene. If the environment consistently contains an antibiotic, bacteria carrying the resistance gene will eventually come to predominate. Because bacteria reproduce so... click for more

What are the components of our immune system involved in allergic reactions, and how does treatment of allergies manage to control them? Create a brochure designed to explain the causes of allergies and tips for allergy management to a non-scientific audience.

Many of the most devastating human diseases result from an attack of various microbes (viruses, bacteria, fungi) on the human body. The flu epidemic of 1918 killed 22 million Americans and Europeans in just 18 months, and our ongoing war against the HIV virus is still waging. In order to fight against this onslaught, the human body developed a sophisticated system that is able to screen, identify, and destroy invading microorganisms before they cause severe damage to the human body. This system, called the Immune System, continuously monitors our blood stream for the presence of foreign cells or molecules. Once an infection is recorded, the system is able to launch a full-scale attack direct... click for more

How biotechnology is used today

Biotechnology allows us to use living organisms or their processes for human needs or purposes. Research how biotechnology is used today. Describe one use of biotechnology, answering the following questions: What biotechnology application did you choose? Briefly describe this process or application. What benefits are derived from this? Are there any concerns or negative impacts associated with this use of biotechnology? Why or why not? Each person in the class should choose a DIFFERENT biotechnology application. Read other students’ posts to see what they have selected before posting.

Determining probability of inheriting disease gene

Part I: Imagine you have a friend who is getting married and plans on starting a family right away. She asks your advice about preconception genetic screening because she is concerned about the chance that her future children could have cystic fibrosis. Her fiancé has a sister that has cystic fibrosis, and she has a cousin who has the disease, although none of her siblings have it. Launch the Multimedia Player (Go to ‘Course Materials’ and launch ‘Unit 3 Multimedia Course Material’) for Unit 3 and go to the 2nd activity called ‘Unit 3 DB’. Use the interactive pedigree in the activity to determine the genotypes of your friend’s family members. (One uncle and a cousin are marked as h... click for more