Microbial photosynthesis & real-world application

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Utility value interventions (UVI)

Utility value interventions (UVI) provide an opportunity for students to make explicit connections between course

content and their own lives. In BIOL 3321, students need to submit 8 essays with the topics in the table below.

All assignments in the category are individual work. To get points, students must submit their work to the

designated dropbox on D2L by the due dates (late submission will gain zero point).

Essays that select the same topics in section “Classroom Exercise/Discussion” (see above) will get NO

points. Students cannot choose the similar topics for Report 8 to what they already done. If you have questions

about the topics, contact the instructor before determination of topics.

Report Number

Relevant Chapter

Topic Deadline (submission)

1 None Future Goal & Plan, Topics in Biology

8/27 (D2L)

2 3 Microscope & real-world application

9/10 (D2L)

3 1, 4 Microbial photosynthesis & real-world application

9/24 (D2L)

4 1-9 Students will select a topic in chapters 1-9 & real-world application

10/8 (D2L)

5 14 Human microbiome & future application

10/22 (D2L)

6 14 Epidemiology & real-world application

11/5 (D2L)

7 17 Vaccination: mechanisms & & real-world application

11/19 (D2L)

8 10-19 Students will select a topic in chapters 10-19 & real-world application

12/3 (D2L)

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UVI (Examples)

Objective: Writing about scientific principles and phenomena is an increasingly important skill in the 21st century.

This assignment is designed to help you understand a major concept covered in this unit while also helping you

develop your science writing skills. One key to effective science writing is explaining how science can be used

in everyday life. You’ll do this in a 500-600 word paper.

1) Formulate and answer a question: Select a concept that is relevant to the topics in the table and formulate

a question. Use this question as the title of your essay. *Students can choose detailed topics relevant to the big

topic shown in the table above (e.g. human microbiome in guts and gastric cancer).

(Sample questions)

• What are isotopes, and what happens during radioactive decay?

• What are the properties of amino groups, and why are they biologically important?

• What are some of the functions of membrane proteins?

• Why is the movement of water across cell membranes crucial to living cells?

2) Explain how this applies to your life: Write a 500-600 word essay answering this question, and discuss

how the information could be useful to you in your own life or career goal. Be sure to include some concrete

information that was covered in this unit, explaining why the information is relevant to your life / society and

useful for you. Be sure to explain how the information applies to you personally and give examples.

(Examples of applications)

• Radioisotopes are unstable isotopes that emit energy and subatomic particles. Radioisotopes are important in your own life because they are commonly used in household smoke detectors.

• Some neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine, histamine, and serotonin, are amines. In your own life, you may benefit from synthetic amines if you take decongestants to relieve cold or allergy symptoms.

• Steroids play important roles in membrane structure and cell signaling. In your own life, your doctor may

prescribe a steroid treatment to reduce the swelling associated with an injury or other inflammatory ailment.

• ABO blood groups are determined by differences in the carbohydrate portion of glycoproteins on the surface

of red blood cells. In your own life, knowing your blood type may help you assess your risk of developing

certain cancers and other health conditions.

• In plants, osmosis facilitates the absorption of water from the soil and contributes to turgidity. In your own

life, you can extend the shelf life of your produce by immersing it in water for a few seconds to increase the

turgor pressure and reduce wilting.

• Some enzymes break down large molecules into smaller components, which is important to the digestive

process. In your own life, you can use the lipases found in some laundry detergents to remove greasy stains

from your clothing.

3) Structure your essay as suggested below.

1. State your question in the title.

2. 1st section: Give an overview of the answer to your question.

3. 2nd section: Provide the scientific details of the answer to your question with references. Be sure to select

the relevant information from class notes, the textbook and other sources (website, journals, papers).

Since you will be writing about science from a personal perspective, you can use personal pronouns (I, we, you,

etc.).

4) Provide reference:

(Examples of references)

1. Website: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/disparities

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2. Textbook: p45-55 Microbiology, an Introduction, 12th edition. By Totora, Funke, and Case (ISBN-10: 0-

321-92915-2).

3. Scientific journal: Singhal, Tanu. "A review of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)." The indian journal

of pediatrics 87.4 (2020): 281-286. (MLA style)

4. Others

Template

Question (title of your essay)

Student Name / 915

Answer (500-600 words)

1. Give an overview of the answer to your question.

2. Provide the scientific details of the answer to your question with references.

3. Explaining why the information is relevant to your life /society and useful for you

References