Bacteria Growth

Quadrant 1) door handle

Quadrant 2) sink handle

Quadrant 3) hand

Quadrant 4) bottom of shoe

Quadrant 1) Control

Quadrant 2) vinegar

Quadrant 3) soap

Quadrant 4) bleach

Freaky Frogs

So guess what? I just found out that in southern Japan, there's the Hairy Horror Frog which is extremely violent. They break their own bones and create claws! But why do they do this?!

It's because of their natural instinct to protect themselves. So basically, if you creep up behind it and it notices you, that frog will start breaking bones and making Wolverine claws. There's a retractable spike hidden under its fake thumb. It's a first act of defense! So they break their bones and use them as claws and use the freaky spike under their false thumb. I'm not even making this up. What's also cool about these frogs is that they will fight to the death with what's threatening them. No seriously! It's either win or die.

Not only are they self abusive and crazy violent, but they're sociopaths and want to shed blood.

I used to think all frogs just sat around on lily pads and ate flies.

I'm scared.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZyPdwY6FQ4 

SKIP TO 1:25 !

Reflection

1) I am most proud of the following three pieces of work:

- Video Assignment
- Question + Research
- Virus Research

I chose these three because the video assignment was a good representation of working together and learning to work with other people. Also, asking ourselves a question about organisms was interesting because it was a way to look at the world in a more "scientific way" which is something important to be able to do in Biology. I think looking at other people's questions and seeing their perspective was interesting, too. Lastly, I picked the virus research because I'm biased and learning about viruses has been my favourite part so far. Learning about viruses is cool, but picking one specific kind and learning about it was actually fun and not too painful.

2) My binder is organized and I have completed work. However, I think our blogs are more important. I say this because our binder may be filled with worksheets and notes, but our blogs actually show what we've learned!

3) I think the comments that mean the most to me have been the comments on my question about owls! It was interesting to see other people's opinions and theories on my question, and hearing their point of view, too.

4) I don't think being engaged in class means being the one to answer all the questions; I think being able to actually ask questions and ponder/wonder WHY is being engaged. Asking questions is not only taking initiative and participating, but it's also a great learning tool. I feel like I do a good job at asking questions and absorbing information.

5) My goal for this class to be able to look at things in a scientific way and always ask "why?" I hope I get an A, too. Just because I'm acing all my classes and I want to ace this class, too LOL
However, from this class I just hope to take away a good understanding of the things around us.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY Test #1

I felt like this needed to be on my blog. I'm proud of it LOL

Our Bacteria Shapes/Types (Asad, Brittany, Taylor, me)

VIRUS ASSIGNMENT

Part 1:

1) The structure is made from either DNA/RNA, long molecules that carry genetic information, protein that protects the genes, and an envelope of lipids (sometimes) that surrounds the protein coat when they are outside a cell.

2) The genetic material that is in viruses is: DNA/RNA

3) 

4)  -

Canine parvovirus 2:

affects dogs, fatal infections, DNA virus

Tobacco Mosaic virus

affects tobacco leaves, discoulours them, RNA virus

5) I think viruses are living, because they contain DNA. Which non-living element is there that contains DNA? NONE! Also, all living things are made of cells, and viruses are cells/have cells!

6) Viruses are not typically "beneficial," but I think that in a way they are because we can use viruses to create vaccines which can prevent against viruses. So although viruses are deadly, they can be used as a weapon against themselves.

Part 2:

H1N1 virus - Swine Flu 

1) - transmitted through inhalation of droplets through sneezing, coughing, or infected hands.

2) - symptoms are fever (100 + F), cough, fatigue, headache, nausea, diarrhea, pneumonia

    - effects are severe respiratory damage and fatality

3) There has been a total of 24, 068 H1N1 deaths worldwide.

4) North America, South America and parts of Africa were effected between 2009 and 2010.

5) How it all started:

And influenza that hits pigs is common, but pig to human is not common. Pigs that were hit with the virus and then are not properly cooked and digested by humans is a way of letting the virus into the system.

6) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFl3FRNpU4E

ANSWER !!!!! Why Are Owls Able to Spin Their Heads Almost All the Way Around?

I've always thought it was interesting how owls can rotate their heads almost a full 360 degrees. It never really occurred to me why they did that, though. The obvious answer is that they do so to look around in case of danger/predators, however, why can't they just look around with their eyes?! I found that this is because their eyes do not have enough muscles to look around in different directions. Over evolution, owls have developed 14 bones in their neck (compared to 7 in a human's) to make up for their lack of eye movement. Without this strange mechanism, owls could have been killed off long ago if it weren't for their rotating necks and the work of evolution.

Bibliography:

http://www.whyzz.com/why-can-owls-turns-their-heads-so-far-around

Why Are Owls Able to Spin Their Heads Almost All the Way Around?

I think owls have the ability to do this because they need protection from all sides and this allows them sight of any dangers near-by.
However, what allows them to do this and why can't owls just look around instead of turning their whole head around?!