30 March 2008
A Pregnant Man ? ! ?
Is this a mistake?
A hoax?
A new technology?
Can a man really be pregnant?
For years I have told my classes that male pregnancy was biologically impossible. But now, with a few twists to the story, a man in Oregon appears to be carrying his wife's baby. Have we become the seahorse of the terrestrial world?
WATCH: Pregnant man is expecting baby in July
READ: Is the pregnant man a hoax for April Fool's Day?
READ: Doctors says ‘pregnant man’ possible
Polite opinions only.
In a minimum of six (6) complete sentences respond to the question below, and support your statements with data collected from an online source. Link to that source.
In your opinion, is this man really pregnant?
Is this ethical use of technology ?
Is it a legal use of technology ?
Is it a moral use of technology ?
BlogWork is Due by Midnight 4 April
29 March 2008
Will you participate today???
Read about today's, Saturday 29 March 2008, symbolic event organized by the World Wildlife Fund READ to make a positive impact on climate change.
Will you be able to turn off the lights tonight between 8PM and 9PM to show your concern?
Will you TAKE THE PLEDGE to do your part?
Watch the YouTube Video
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23 March 2008
A Changing Climate
Yellowstone Park is home to a plethora or animals and vegetation. But changes in climate are beginning to affect the park. Due to the warming climate, an invasive species has spread from Canada to Yellowstone. This weed, Canadian thistle, is a favorite food to the pocket gopher. Not surprisingly, the number of pocket gophers in Yellowstone have increased. And these gophers are hunted by grizzly bears, who's numbers have also been increasing in Yellowstone. The ability to adapt in these animals, key to natural selection, have caused their numbers to rise while those animals who cannot adapt to a changing climate are dwindling.NY Times article
Adaptations of plants and animals
1. Read the first article and explain the relationship of Canadian thistle to pocket gophers to grizzly bears.
2. Go to the second link and choose a plant or animal. Explain how they are adapting to the changing climate.
3. Choose an invasive species (a plant, animal, or microbe) from this link. List its common and scientific name, native habitat, and impact on the new environment. Link to a photo of this organism. Extra credit will be given for NYS organisms.
Everyone have a happy Easter!
Blogging Due Friday Midnight 28 March
16 March 2008
Extra Extra, Hey Look at the Headlines !
Choose a headline from the list below.
Read the article.
Reflect on what you read in a minimum of five complete sentences.
Link to a site that supports your point of view.
Snuffing Out Puffing Neighbors
09 March 2008
Control Over Mother Nature?
Montana State University researches have found that certain bacteria in the atmosphere may play a role in precipitation. The evidence they have uncovered shows that these bacteria act as nuclei. Nuclei are the basis of a rain drop, snow flake, etc. These nuclei are usually ice or dust particles. Water freezes onto these particles and more and more ice clumps onto them. These form the basis of clouds. These bacteria that act as nuclei are special because they are reusable and also reproduce. When the rain falls to the ground, if a bacterium lands on a plant, it will reproduce. Chances are thousands of these bacteria will land on plants, and they all will reproduce. These bacteria will again get swept up unto the atmosphere and the cycle will repeat itself. The cycle is called biological precipitation, or the "bio-precipitation cycle."
There has been research on this topic from Montana to Russia. The researchers hope to be able to harness these bacteria and make drought less of a problem.
Read The Article Here
Answer the questions below:
1. Is this topic worth continued research? Do you think controlling precipitation is even possible in the future?
2. If control over precipitation was ever achieved, would it be moral/ethical to use?
3. The article says that some of these bacteria are "capable of causing disease." Do you think it would be worth the risk to use the bacteria and make it rain to help crop growth in areas of low rainfall, or is the potential for a new "super flu" too great ?
4. Name one other environmental (global or local) problem that we should investigate. How important is that environmental problem to you personally? Link to a site that talks about that issue.
Take the poll below:
Postings are due by midnight 14 March
02 March 2008
A Conversation...
To encourage an "ongoing conversation," I'm changing the format of this weeks' blog assignment. Much like a conversation , your post should be connected to the posting of the person before you. The requirements for postings are given below. Your entries may be opinions, but they must be supported by appropriate links. You may agree or disagree, but you must do so politely. This week the blog assignment will have a value of 15 points. You are encouraged to post in my "other class" also... for 10 extra points. But remember, you must follow the thread of that class in your posting.
Topic of discussion: Mutation
If you are the first to post you should:
1.Give a working "self-constructed" definition of the term.
2.State an opinion connected to the biological topic which relates to that term.
You must also include any one of the following:
1.A supporting link to a news article related to your opinion
2.A supporting link to a video related to your opinion
3.A supporting link to another blog related to your opinion
4.A question related to the topic for the next posting to answer
If you are posting after another person, then depending on the previous post, you should:
1.Respond to the question posted. Be sure to include your opinion.
2.Reflect, in a minimum of four sentences, on the content of the prior postings' blog, article, or video
You should also include any one of the following:
1.A supporting link to a news article related to your opinion
2.A supporting link to a video related to your opinion
3.A supporting link to another blog related to your opinion
4.A question related to the topic for the next posting to answer
The Conversation Ends @ Midnight 7 March 2008
