Super+Smash+Brothers

=flat= =Reed= Thompson

= DNA Lab Discussion Questions =
 * 1) What are the 5 elements that make up DNA? ** The 5 elements that make up DNA are hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, and phosphorus **
 * 2) What is the function of DNA from day to day? **The function of DNA from day to day is that it’s genetic instructions control the function of your cells.**
 * 3) Describe how long strands of double-helical DNA fit into the nucleus of a single cheek cell. **The long strands can fit because they fold and coil up in order to make themselves smaller.**
 * 4) What was the purpose of using the cell lysis solution? **The purpose is that it helps break down the cell membrane so the DNA is released and visible.**
 * 5) Why does the DNA become visible once the alcohol is added? **The DNA becomes visible because it is a polar molecule and alcohol is a non-polar substance, so the DNA is insoluble because unlike substance cannot dissolve each other, so the DNA appears visible in the solution since it isn’t dissolved.**
 * 6) If DNA is so thin, how is it that we are able to see it during this simple lab exercise? **The DNA is visible because when it breaks down, they all tangle together which makes them thicker and easier to see.**
 * 7) Why is DNA referred to as your genetic fingerprint? **DNA is referred to as the genetic fingerprint because there are no two sets that are the exact same.**
 * 8) Give some examples of how DNA is used everyday. **Detectives and forensic scientists use it to find suspects using fingerprints, blood type, appearance of the suspect, etc. People also use it to recognize people. If everyone’s traits changed everyday then no one would know who you are.**

=DNA Replication Model = __Leading Strand:__ To begin the process of replication, DNA is required. In the first step, an enzyme call Helicase breaks the Hydrogen bonds and splits the double-stranded DNA. After this, there single-stranded binding proteins that attach themselves to each single strand of DNA. This helps keep the two strands of DNA from attaching together again. Then, DNA replication for the leading strand finally begins when a polymerase is attached. __Lagging Strand:__ DNA is replicated in short Okazaki fragment once the DNA polymerase becomes attached. Next, Ligase takes part in the process by filling the gaps between each of these fragments. This completes the process of DNA replication for the lagging strand.


 * Telomeres- ** attach to the ends of the strands of DNA to make sure that they cannot reconnect.


 * Helicase- ** used in replication to break the hydrogen bonds

**Polymerase-** attaches and binds to begin replication for the leading strand


 * Codon-** basic unit of genetic code that consists of 3 nucleotides

**Okazaki Fragments-** pieces of original DNA strand that join together to create the replicated, making them one of the most important parts of DNA replication because without them, there would be no replication


 * Telomerase ** - an enzyme added to cells that increases the length of the cell strand ends for a long period of time. This could mean that cells could keep replicating and never die

**DNA Ligase-** Enzyme that attaches to the Okazaki fragments to bring them together to make a replicated DNA strand.

**Primase-** enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of a primer during replication in the lagging strand


 * Sugar-Phosphate Backbone-** the major structural component of a DNA molecule made up from alternating ribose sugar and phosphate molecules


 * Single-stranded binding proteins-** attached during replication so that the two separated strands of of DNA cannot come back together
 * Cancer- ** cells that can grow continuously, are able to divide unlimited, and allow tumors to grow

**Double Helix-** made up of two polynucleotide chains of DNA

**Cloning-** before the results of when a cell taken from an adult sheep was infused to make another sheep, the DNA strand was shorter no matter if it was taken from a younger sheep or an older one

**Aging-** when paired with mitosis they have a certain life span, this means they could determine the length of a cell’s life

= RNA Flipbook = media type="file" key="RNA Flipbook.mov" width="300" height="300"

= Genetics Infographic =







All images used were found from http://compfight.com/.

=Medaka Infographic= Information: http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/Killifish/MoonlightMedaka.php

=Diaper Disection=

Process: Step 1- cut out rectangle Step 2- separate each layer and observe them individually Step 3- test the water absorbance of each layer individually Step 4- test water absorbance of entire diaper

Results: Top Layer- absorbed about 25% of the 25mL of water Middle Layer- absorbed about 90% of the 25mL of water Bottom Layer- absorbed hardly any water (mostly water resistant)

Whole diaper absorbed about: 100% of 25mL of water 100% of 50mL of water 100% of 100mL of water 100% of 150mL of water 100% of 250mL of water 100% of 400mL of water 100% of 450mL of water Started to repel around 475mL of water

We predicted that the diaper would hold about 150mL and then the water would begin to soak through because no more water could be absorbed. We were proved wrong because we continued to add water the whole way to 450mL of water before it started to soak through. The reason it held so much water is because it had three layers, the first layer is mostly for comfort but also absorbed about 25% of the water that was put into it, the second layer is full of a fluffy material that absorbed about 90% percent of the water, and finally the last layer, that is water repellent, held in the little bit of excess water that made it through the other two layers.

From our research on how diapers are related to the environment, we found diapers are made from trees. More specifically, about 225,000 trees are used to just to make diapers every year. Also, in our experiment, the diaper was very absorbent, we thought it would be difficult to decompose, so it would take up more space in landfills for longer amounts of time. Plus, it is a known fact that carcinogens can be found in diapers, so that makes a health risk involved as well. Diapers also use many other resources such as oil when they are manufactured, so it may cause a limited amount of resources in the future. It is said that diapers can take up to 450 or even 500 years to fully decompose. In our opinion, diapers could either be made safer with less harm to the environment or another alternative could be found.

= Habitat Loss & Extinction Infograph =

 Information: http://voices.yahoo.com/habitat-destruction-facts-destroying-worlds-5913212.html http://www.ypte.org.uk/environmental/extinction/27 http://www.tbep.org/help/eyesonthebay/fastfacts.html http://www.facingthefuture.org/ServiceLearning/FastFactsQuickActions/Deforestation/tabid/182/Default.aspx Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/upvcfrontdoor/4642099933/sizes/m/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithmwilliams/4566633999/sizes/m/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/28119819@N07/3113245605/sizes/m/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/10484985@N04/2987260369/sizes/m/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturenev/3617761714/sizes/m/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/crustmania/233523196/sizes/m/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyshi/5094684623/sizes/m/in/photostream/