2nd Post - November 14, 2013
In this week’s blog we are going to play an AP Biology vocabulary building game. I will start by offering a biology term that begins with the letter “A” and then offer a definition. The next person in the blog will choose a word that begins with “B” and offer its definition. etc. (Try to offer vocabulary that your peers may not know and thus build on their knowledge.)
OK …let’s start.
“A” is for apoptosis. Apoptosis is programmed cell death, in which cell signaling causes a cascade of cell proteins that destroy the cell. Understanding of this event may be helpful in future cures for diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.
"B" is for Batesian mimicry. Batesian mimicry is when a harmless species resembles a species that is harmful to predators. An example of this would be the flower fly which has black and white stripes similar to those of a bee or wasp. The fly itself isn't dangerous but the markings will protect it from predators who mistake it for a stinging insect.
ReplyDelete"C" is for the Calvin Cycle. The Calvin cycle is the second of the two stages in photosynthesis that takes place in the stroma of the chloroplast. The Calvin Cycle uses the chemical energy from ATP and NADPH combined with CO2 and organic molecules to make sugar as a product. Being a part of photosynthesis, the Calvin Cycle is essential component in autotrophs.
ReplyDelete"D" is for dihybrid. A dyhybrid organism is heterozygous in two separate genes. For example, an organism with the genotype AaBb with parents who had genotypes aabb and AABB would be a dihybrid. A dihybrid's parents will both be homozygous in both genes, evenly distributing their genotypes to their offspring.
ReplyDelete"E" is for the endosymbiont theory. This theory explains the evolution of mitochondria and chloroplasts. It suggests that mitochondria and chloroplasts were originally prokaryotic cells that were engulfed by other cells. These host cells then evolved with the prokaryotic cells into one organism.
ReplyDelete"F" is for frameshift mutation. This type of mutation involves a deletion or insertion of nucleotides in a DNA sequence, disrupting the sequence of codones, provided that the the number inserted or deleted is not a multiple of 3. These mutations result in proteins with amino acid sequences longer or shorter than normal.
ReplyDelete"G" is for gibberllin. Gibberllin is a group of hormones found in plants. It helps to dictate important life functions such as germination, stem and leaf growth, breaking bud dormancy, and fruit growth.
ReplyDeleteHeliotropism - The property that some plants have that makes them either turn towards or away from light based on their need of it.
ReplyDelete"I" is for intermediate disturbance hypothesis. Intermediate disturbance hypothesis is the concept that moderate amounts of disturbance can result in a larger species diversity than in areas with high or low amounts of disturbance.
ReplyDelete"J" is for jejunum! Jejunum is the middle part of the small intestine that supports the absorption of carbohydrates and proteins. The proteins absorbed by the jejunum is first broken down by the enzyme pepsin in the stomach and carbohydrates are broken down in the liver and pancreas into sugars. This location is where the maximum absorption of minerals, water and digested food takes place.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Haley! As soon as I had finished my write-up for the letter "J," your response showed up on the blog. I hope its okay that we did the same letter. That being said,
ReplyDelete“J” is also for “jumping genes” (scientifically known as transposable elements.)
“Jumping genes” are sequences of DNA on the genome, or complete set of chromosomes, that can change their position relative to the rest of the genes on the genome by self-replication or other, more obscure means. Usually, when they do, they lead to unwanted and often detrimental consequences; but thankfully, they can also be used to reverse these mutations and currently are the vehicle of genetic engineering. In humans, the majority of transposable elements are located on the Alu sequence.
"K" is for kinetochore. Kinetochore is a structure of proteins that have assembled on specific sections of chromosomal DNA at each centromere that links each sister chromatid to the mitotic spindle. During prometaphase, some of the spindle microtubules attach to the kinetochores, which are called kinetochore microtubules.
ReplyDeleteL is for Linked Genes. These are genes that occur on the same chromosome, and are therefore likely to be passed down to children either together or not at all. By studying the frequency of how often they are passed down together, the distance between the locations of the two genes on the chromosome can be determined.
ReplyDeleteM is for mixotroph. A mixotroph is an organism that is capable of both photosynthesis and heterotrophy. It is able to assimilate organic compounds as carbon sources while using inorganic compounds as electron donors. Mixotrophs can be both eukaryotic or prokaryotic.Two well known mixotrophs are the Oriental Hornet and the Venus Flytrap.
ReplyDeleteN is for natural selection. Natural selection is the process in which individuals with favorable genetic traits are more likely to survive and reproduce because they will pass on their favorable traits to their offspring so that they may survive. It's the idea of "survival of the fittest" that was introduced by Charles Darwin after he visited the Galapagos Islands.
ReplyDelete"O" is for oncogene. An oncogene can be found in a genome or a virus, it is involved with triggering various cancerous characteristics with in the body. When oncogenes are found in tumors, they are typically mutated or in very high concentrations.
ReplyDeleteP is for phyllotaxy, the patterns in which leaves attach to their stems. This organization helps photosynthesis, since specific angles and spread helps light hit all the leaves evenly.
ReplyDeleteQ is for quadrivalent, an association of four homologous chromosomes during synapsis in meiosis. A good term leading into our next unit.
ReplyDeleteR is for radiolucency, the state or quality of being radioluscent; the characteristic of certain materials like some biological tissues to show transparency to x-rays and radio waves, thus producing dark images on radiographic films.
ReplyDeleteS is for the Sinoatrial Node (SA node). The SA node is a specialized bundle of neurons in the cardiac muscles of the heart. Known as the heart's pacemaker, the sinoatrial node releases electrical impulses regularly to manage the speed of the heart's beating.
ReplyDeleteT is for telophase, which is the final phase in mitosis. This happens when the splitting cell forms two daughter nuclei. The chromosomes in both sides of the splitting cell begin to unravel a little, and the whole phase ends when the nuclei are completely formed.
ReplyDeleteU is for Unikonta. Unikonta is part of the four 'super groups' of eukaryotes. The group, proposed by Thomas Cavalier-Smith, are defined by having one emergent flagellum, or are amoebae with no flagella. The unikonts include Opisthokonts and Amoebozoa
ReplyDeleteV is for vestigial structure, which is an organ or part of the body that is no longer functional. The organ may have been reduced or altered from the original ancestral one. An example of a vestigial structure in the human body is the appendix.
ReplyDeleteW is for white matter, which moderates action potential distribution throughout the brain. It is composed of glial cells, which help maintain homeostasis, and myelinated axons, which conduct signals through the brain and are necessary for proper nervous system function.
ReplyDelete“X” is for xerophyte. A xerophyte is a plant that has adapted to survive in environments with extremely limited amounts of water such in the desert or in an ice/snow covered region in the Arctic. These plants have adapted the ability to store water for long periods of time. Also, they may be able to slow or practically stop their rate of metabolism. A classic example of this type of plant is a cactus.
ReplyDelete"y" is for Y-chromosome. The y chromosome is one of the two sex chromosomes. A Y-chromosome distinguishes a male from a female as only males can have the Y-chromosome.
ReplyDelete"Z" is for zonation. Zonation is a trait of aquatic biomes, that divides bodies of water into zones depending on depth and distance from shore. The two largest zones are the benthic zone, or the ocean or lake floor, and the pelagic zone, the open water; however others include the photic zone, the aphotic zone, the littoral zone, and the limnetic zone.
ReplyDeleteBack to A!!!
ReplyDeleteAblation experiment: An ablation experiment is one set up to produce an animal that is deficient in one or more genes in order to study cell function.
"Z" is for zoonotic pathogen. A zoonotic pathogen is a disease-causing agent that is transmitted to humans from other animals. This could be through direct contact or through intermediate species such as ticks, lice, or mosquitoes. Three-fourths of emerging human diseases are caused by zoonotic pathogens.
ReplyDeleteOops, my browser must not have refreshed, so I didn't see Celeste or Conor's posts.
Delete"B" is for brood parasitism. Brood parasitism is the method adopted by one organism to make another individual of the same or different species to raise its offspring. This is behavior is scene in vorroa mites, also known as vorroa destructor which lay their eggs in the brood cells of honey bee's that can result in massive die offs in the brood. This mite can destroy entire hives alone.
ReplyDeleteC is for competitive exclusion. Competitive exclusion is the concept that when populations of two similar species compete for the same limited resources, one population will use the resources more efficiently and have a reproductive advantage that will eventually lead to the elimination of the other population.
ReplyDeleteD is for DNA! Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule that encodes the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and many viruses.
ReplyDeleteE is for endonuclease, the class of enzymes that are employed when breaking up DNA at restriction sites. They are an important tool for biological engineers.
ReplyDelete'F' is for florigen. Florigen is a hypothesized signaling molecule, comparable to hormones, that triggers plants to flower. This is important as the function of a flower is to reproduce. Being involved in a later stage of plant life, florigen likely originates in leaves during growth.
ReplyDelete"G" is for gliosis. Gliosis is the excess growth of astrocytes (the largest and most numerous neuroglial cells in the brain and spinal cord) in the brain or spinal cord, usually occurring after injury to one of these parts.
ReplyDeleteH is for Hemoglobin, a protein contained in white blood cells, which allow them to transport oxygen around the body, as well as move carbon dioxide to the lungs to be expelled. Hemoglobin is essential to bodily functions, and when it is affected by genetics, as it quite often is, it has very serious effects on the body.
ReplyDeleteI is for Indicator species: like the canary in a coal mine that gives early warning of gas buildup, an indicator species identifies a trait of its environment. It could mark an ecosystem, or signal a condition in the environment, such as disease, pollution, competition or climate change.
ReplyDeleteI is for incomplete Dominance, where one allele is not completely dominant over another allele for a specific trait, thus causing the trait to be expressed as a mixture of the two alleles.
ReplyDeleteJ is for Jointed appendages.
ReplyDeleteJointed appendages are a feautred of arthropods are associated with body segments.
Some examples include: antennae, claws, legs, etc. These appendages can be highly specialized, or more basic tools of necessity.
J is for Jugular Vein, the important blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the brain back into the heart via the Superior Vena Cava, helping maintain the body's control center.
ReplyDeleteK is for the Krebs Cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle, which is an important step in cellular respiration in which CO2, NADH, FADH2, and some ATP are produced.
ReplyDeleteL is for lactic acid fermentation: the conversion of pyruvate to lactate with NO release of carbon dioxide.
ReplyDeleteM represents Mononucleosis or "Mono" as it is commonly referred to. Mononucleosis is a disease often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus most commonly affecting teens and young adults. Mono spreads via saliva and once in the pharynx multiplies within epithelial cells leading to sore throat, fever, fatigue, and other cold-like symptoms.
ReplyDeleteN is for Natural killer (NK) cells which patrol the body and eliminate any cancer or virus cells by releasing chemicals.
ReplyDeleteO is for "osteichthyan" - a member of a vertebrate clade with jaws and mostly bony skeletons
ReplyDelete"P" is for "parthenogenesis," which is the development of the embryo from an unfertilized egg.
ReplyDelete