Biology is a study of all things living!
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In our biology class, we sometimes read articles or watch presentations on interesting or controversial things. This blog is where I summarize these articles and talks, and give my personal opinion on them.
Freedom of Biotechnology Project Reflection:
The first step to DNA processing is to separate the DNA. The lab activity for this step was fairly simple. First, we swished with Gatorade to remove the cheek cells, then we added a lysate solution to break open the cell and release the DNA. The next step is amplification. This is where the DNA markers (the bits of DNA that are different for everyone) are replicated so many times that at the end, you are left with DNA that is mostly markers. This makes it easier to distinguish between people. The next step is separation, where we separate out the DNA so that we can tell who is who. In order to do this, we run an electrophoresis gel. We put the DNA into holes in the gel, and run an electrical current through them, separating the bands of DNA. Then we dye the gel so that we can see them. The last step is analysis, where we compare the bands of DNA to one another in order to tell who the perpetrator of the crime is. When someone has been convicted of a crime, there is generally DNA evidence at the crime scene. Even if this evidence is not used in the actual conviction, it is usually saved for quite some time. In cases where someone has been convicted wrongfully, this is useful, because it allows for DNA processing to be used, proving that person is innocent.
Our project was based on an exoneree named Kharey Wise. He and four other boys, all between the ages of 14 and 16, were convicted of raping and assaulting a woman in central park. They were in jail for eleven and a half years for a crime they did not commit – losing the rest of their teens and twenties. Our sculpture is an artistic representation of his struggle to be free, his joy at getting out of jail, and the role that DNA technologies played in his release. He is breaking out of the ground, rubble and rocks going everywhere. This is a symbol of his freedom and struggle to be free. His fist is in the air, holding a gavel, which represents the role of the justice system. There are chains that bound him, now broken, coming up out of the ground in a Hellenistic way. The top half of the chain is made out of DNA, which shows the weakness in the chains that held him captive. The rock with blood and hair on it is the rock that had DNA evidence that allowed Kharey Wise to be exonerated. His mouth is open, shouting in joy. There are electrophoresis bars and DNA on his head and neck, representing the importance of DNA evidence in his exoneration. There is a blacklight shining on his head and neck, which, in addition to making the DNA glow, is blue – the color of Methylene Blue, the dye used on electrophoresis gels. This tape sculpture was made using a real person as the model. We first wrapped the packing tape around the model sticky side up, then we wrapped it around again, sticky side down, creating a form fitting sleeve. Then, we cut it off the model and taped it together, resulting in a hollow tape person.
During this unit, I learned so much, not only about DNA testing, but also the applications of science and the justice system. This project is one that I connected to the most. The actual DNA technologies are complex, intriguing, and fun to learn about, so I enjoyed that aspect of the project. I liked how it connected to real life, and the justice system. I have realized many of the flaws of the justice system, but also realized how life saving it can be – especially when coupled with DNA technologies. Then there was the personalization of this project – how we got to study one particular person, and their struggle for justice. I am really proud of the work that I did on this project. I think that the final project turned out really professional and refined – one of my best projects so far. If I was to do this project again, I think that there is only one thing that I would do differently. That is finding out the fire restrictions beforehand, and figuring out a way to make the blacklight shine properly without breaking the restrictions.
Dissection Video:Link to Video
Human Function Project Reflection:
Before this project, we studied different systems – like the lymphatic system, the circulatory system, the reproductive system, and the digestive system. This was to get an overview of everything so that we could study our individual system better.
The purpose of this project was to learn more in depth about a specific system, and then investigate a specific aspect of that system through different ways.
In order to decide who would get what system and what role we would take, we got a list of the options. We took that home, and decided which ones we wanted the most. Then we wrote down our top choices on paper, and then Colleen (our teacher) put us into our groups.
My role was editorial in the immune system. In this role, I had to read an editorial (so I could know what one looked like) and summarize it. Then we had to decide on a controversy that had to do with our system. I decided on vaccines. Then we had to find 2 articles that showed each side of the argument and summarize them. Then we had to decide on what our opinion was, and which side we were going to write about. I chose something kind of in between – not completely against, but not completely for vaccines. Then we found an article that represented our side and summarize it. Finally, we made our own editorial representing our own view. This was our final, and then we edited it so that it was less than 250 words and we submitted it to the Durango Herald. I also made a website that displayed my editorial, and that fit with everyone else’s site.
The thing that I was most proud of is my editorial. I think that it was really refined and professional. At the same time, I think that I could have gotten deeper into the issue. I didn’t get to the core of the issue the first time that I did research, and I had to go back, which made it difficult to get as much info as I could’ve. For my next project, I think that I will ask you to help me figure out what the real issue is, so I don’t go off on the wrong track next time. Also, I think that I will try to find an issue that matters to me more than vaccinations. I mean, they are interesting, but not really that intriguing. Most of my life, I have never gotten a flu vaccine, except for last year with the swine flu. I always thought that was interesting how everyone else seemed to get them, but I never really saw the need. I think that it is interesting to see the controversy that is behind vaccines. From this project, I learned much more about vaccines (obviously). But other than that, I also learned about different systems (like the immune, circulatory, reproduction, etc) that I didn’t know that much about before. I also learned about how to use blogger better, and make a more professional website from that.
Here is a link to my group’s human function website: http://www.wix.com/sshhaazzaamm/immune-system/
Personal Touch: A Living Thing that Interests Me: The Flamboyant Cuttlefish
This is a Flamboyant Cuttlefish. It is a cuttlefish, but it is super tiny - just a few inches high. This cuttlefish is also special because it walks on the bottom of the sea floor. Cuttlefish can change their color and their shape to blend into the surroundings to either catch prey or hide from predators. But when the flamboyant cuttlefish sees a predator, he displays vibrant colors, and struts around, rather than hiding. This is because they are poisonous - if the predator eats them, they will die. So them strutting around warns predators that they are poisonous. In addition to all of the interesting things that they do that makes flamboyant cuttlefish really cool and special, they are tiny and super cute!!
