Biology 101
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biology_101.docxBiology 101
Homework:
For many years, a chicken farmer allowed her best egg-laying chickens but not the poor producers to reproduce. Over many (chicken) generations, egg production was increased. Do you think that this outcome is an example of natural selection, artificial selection or evolution? (Combinations of possibilities are possible!).
Respond to Students: (Reponses should be straight to the point opinionated)
Student One: A group of 10 overweight patients have increased levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Based on this limited information and using the scientific method:
I. Can diet and exercise alone help lower the LDL levels in patients or is it necessary to include medication in the treatment?
Hypothesis: Patients with higher LDL levels can use diet and exercise to lower their LDL levels without the use of medication.
II. Experiment:
Three groups of ten patients with similar BMI, weight, and LDL levels with no other health issues.
Group 1 - Control Group
Patients in this group go about their normal routine not making any changes to diet, exercise, or medication.
Group 2 - Without Medication
Patients in this group are in a controlled environment with a strict diet and exercise program.
Group 3 - With Medication
Patients in this group are in the same controlled environment, and are given the same diet and exercise routine as group 2. These patients are also prescribed medication to help lower their LDL levels.
At the end of each week the patients are examined and their LDL levels are recorded. Then, at the end of three months the data from each group is compared to determine the effectiveness of diet and exercise alone on the LDL levels of the patients. Data can also be collected on the percentage that LDL levels decreased in the patients not taking medication versus the patients taking the medication.
I predict that with strict diet and exercise the patients in group 2 will see a drop in their LDL levels as will patients in group 3. This will prove that diet and exercise alone can be effective in lowering LDL levels.
Student Two: “The Definition of Life”
One characteristic that is shared by all living things is that they grow with time. Animals, plants, bugs, fish, humans all grow and develop. When we are born were are more than likely less than ten pounds but as we mature we grow. Most people end up being between 5 feet and 6 feet tall and weighing around 150-250 pounds. That is an exponential growth compared to the size of a baby. You see the same thing in trees. For example, a tree will grow from a tiny seed in the ground and over the years it will stand stories tall and will be numerous feet in circumference. This is just as a tadpole grows into a frog and a catepillar into a butterfly. As for inanimate objects, they do not grow. A rock will never mystically become bigger by watering it and neither will metal. The only way they change shapes at all is if they are bent or broken or melted down, they do not develop as all living things do. Growth is important because as living things age and mature they begin to reporduce sometimes maybe asexually, but they still reproduce in order to keep the species alive.
Written Assignment:
Written Assignment 1: Trace the Scientific Method in a Primary Scientific Article
Addresses course outcomes 1 and 4:
recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems
weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific method
Before starting this assignment you might want to revisit the Scientific Method Tutorial in the Science Learning Center under the Content area.
Researchers recently investigated whether or not coffee prevented the development of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) in laboratory mice. The mice used in this experiment have a mutation that makes them become diabetic. Read about this research study in this article published on the Science Daily web-site New Evidence That Drinking Coffee May Reduce the Risk of Diabetes as well as the following summary:
A group of 11 mice was given water, and another group of 10 mice was supplied with diluted black coffee (coffee:water 1:1) as drinking fluids for five weeks. The composition of the diets and living conditions were similar for both groups of mice. Blood glucose was monitored weekly for all mice. After five weeks, there was no change in average body weight between groups. Results indicated that blood glucose concentrations increased significantly in the mice that drank water compared with those that were supplied with coffee. Finally, blood glucose concentration in the coffee group exhibited a 30 percent decrease compared with that in the water group. In the original paper, the investigators acknowledged that the coffee for the experiment was supplied as a gift from a corporation.
Then answer the following questions in your own words:
2. Criticize the research described. Things to consider: Were the test subjects and treatments relevant and appropriate? Was the sample size large enough? Were the methods used appropriate? Can you think of a potential bias in a research study like this? What are the limitations of the conclusions made in this research study? Address at least two of these questions in your critique of the research study (20 points).
3. Discuss the relevance of this type of research, both for the world in general and for you personally (20 points).
4. Write answers in your own words with proper grammar and spelling (10 points).
5. Your work should be approximately 300 - 400 words, double-spaced. All of your references should be in APA format.
The original peer-reviewed research article that the above Science Daily article discusses can be found in the Content area. You may want to look at the peer-reviewed scholarly article for more detail (not required).
* Yamauchi et al. (2010). Coffee and caffeine ameliorate hyperglycemia, fatty liver, and inflammatory adipocytokine expression in spontaneously diabetic KK-Ay mice. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58 (9), 5597-5603. May 12, PMID: 20405946, ISSN: 1520-5118.
