Life Science
Willincare
gs102_discussions_and_assignemtns.docxGS102:
Discussion (75 words or more):
Week 2
List the organelles and structures found in cells. Pick one organelle and describe the role it plays in the life of the cell. In your description, comment on what may happen to the cell if the organelle did not function properly. Remember to cite any references you use in proper APA format
Week 3
Discuss the different phases of the cell cycle. At which part of the cell cycle would you expect that a change in regulation could result in cancer? How is the cancer cell cycle different from a normal cell cycle? Provide a rationale for your answer. Remember to cite any references you use in proper APA format
Week 4
DNA in the News: Research a current (posted within the last 30 day) a news article on a DNA/Genetics topic. Read the article, summarize it, & provide a link to it. It must be a unique article/topic, not already posted by a classmate. Label your initial post a title related to your article.
You are graded on quality of your post (giving a well detailed & thought out main post earns you a higher score on the quality portion).
Use only reputable sources (online) for your article, such as the following:
· Scientific American
. http://www.scientificamerican.com/
· Science
. http://www.sciencemag.org/journals
· Science Daily
. http://www.sciencedaily.com/
· Popular Science
· Science News
Week 5
Reproduction and Animal Behavior
Reproduction: Explain why asexually reproducing organisms are generally found in environments that do not change very much through time, while sexually reproducing organisms are very successful in environments that change dramatically through time.
Animal Behavior: How does an animal’s behavior aid survival and reproduction? Provide an example to illustrate your comments. In your response, be sure to include information from the reading to support your answer.
Week 6
Sharks versus Dolphins
Discuss the rationale behind taxonomists placing sharks and dolphins in different taxonomic groups, even though they are both aquatic, have very similar body forms, and share other traits as well.
Week 7
Flowering Plants
Why are flowering plants considered by many botanists to be the most successful land plants?
Week 8
Reflection
Think about the past 8 weeks of this course.
What has been the most interesting aspect of life science that you have learned?
What new concepts did you learn?
How will the concepts you learned in this course help you in your everyday life?
Assignments:(All Assignments should be 250-500 words)
Week 2
Module 2 introduces you to the living cell. Compare and contrast eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
Week 3
Explain Tay-Sachs disease. Imagine you are a genetic counselor working with a couple who have just had a child who is suffering from Tay-Sachs disease. Neither parent has been tested for Tay-Sachs disease nor have there been any previous cases of Tay-Sachs in either family. Explain Tay-Sachs disease and provide a discussion of the information you would share with the couple about Tay-Sachs and possible implications for future children.
Week 4
Compare and contrast DNA and RNA: include their structures, make-up, role and processes. Discuss why humans did not evolve with one central repository of DNA, but rather it is replicated throughout the body?
Week 5
Genetic Drift and the Founder Effect
There are two types of genetic drift. Describe and give an example of both the bottle neck effect and the founder effect.
Week 6
Similarities and Differences
Discuss the similarities and differences between organisms in the domains Bacteria and Archaea.
Week 7
Phylum Arthropoda
The Earth’s largest phylum is Arthropoda, including centipedes, millipedes, crustaceans, and insects. The insects have shown to be a particularly successful class within the phylum. What biological characteristics have contributed to the success of insects? In many science fiction scenarios, post-apocalyptic Earth is mainly populated with giant insects. Why don’t we see giant insects today?
