Biology

Define and explain macro- and micro- evolution. Use evidence to discuss and defend several mechanisms of evolution. Distinguish between homeostatic and evolutionary adaptations. Describe the evolution of life on earth and include a description of unicellular, multicellular, plant and animal evolution.  Give examples of evolution in the form/function relationship in some of the adaptations of the animal circulatory, respiratory, and nervous and immune systems. Describe how a phylogenetic tree could be constructed with all living organisms in the tree.

M5 Written Assignment – Comparative Genomics This assignment consists of one question. Your response should be one or two pages long. Be sure to cite any and all sources correctly so that your academic integrity is not called into question. Copy the following question, add your answer, and submit below in one attached document. 1. a. So far in this course we have concentrated on the importance of the study of the human genome. Why is it important to human health research for scientists to sequence the genomes of other species? Read the following fact sheet: Comparative Genomics Fact Sheet b. Find an article that reports on research into a genetic behavioral disorder in which the genome of another species was used in attempts to determine the location and nature of the mutation. Be sure to include the following: Summarize the article, including a clear explanation of the research. Explain why the researchers chose to study the genome of this species. What technique(s) did the researchers use to attempt to correlate behavior of the animals to a specific region of their genome? For assistance with issues such as library resources, citing sources, plagiarism, tutoring, writing assistance, etc., browse the links that appear when you click on the tabs across the top banner of the course page to find further information. NOTE: Your essay answers to these questions MUST be in your own words. Do not copy/paste any text into your answers unless you are including a properly cited brief direct quotation. I am looking for your own explanations—this is your opportunity to demonstrate what you know about these topics. The best approach will be to pretend you are explaining things to someone you are tutoring. https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Comparative-Genomics-Fact-Sheet

Let’s discuss gene expression, using the human beta-globin (HBB) gene as an example. Recall that beta-globin is one of the polypeptide subunits of hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. Imagine that you are a wild-type (HbA) allele of the HBB gene located on human chromosome 11. Writing from the first-person perspective, how is the beta-globin polypeptide produced from your gene? In your response, be sure to describe the three main processes involved in eukaryotic gene expression: transcription, RNA processing, and translation. Conclude by discussing the mutation in the beta-globin gene that results in sickle cell anemia

Pick a biome and ecosystem and create a 500-700 word essay addressing the following: Refer to the infographic provided and chose a biome to describe with an example ecosystem.  Provide one example of a keystone species found in the biome/ecosystem.  Why is this keystone species important to the biome/ecosystem?  What defines it as a keystone species? Provide an example of an invasive species found in the biome/ecosystem.  What are some of the negative impacts this invasive species has on the ecosystem?  What is being done to mitigate impacts? Provide one example of an endangered species found in the biome/ecosystem.  Briefly discuss the causes of the decline in the species and what is being done to help.    Please include at least 3 academic sources and make sure all sources are cited in your essay.  Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

Please answer each question in 1-2 pages of double-spaced prose. Be sure to reference relevant class readings in your answer. No bibliography required, but I do want in-text citations.   1. What is social reproduction, and how does this topic pull together many different ideas we’ve discussed around race, class, and gender? 2. Write about an instance of “white fragility” you’ve experienced. This could be your own experience as a white person or as a person of color. (By the way, i am an Asian, china) What happened? How might you have acted differently, if at all, based on what you’ve learned in this class?

1. What is seed dispersal? Why is it important? Describe seed adaptations that allow for dispersal. 2. According to the video, how do spider monkeys help with seed dispersal? 3. Research another example of an animal involved in seed dispersal. Write a paragraph summarizing the interaction. Remember to cite your sources (MLA format). https://www.biointeractive.org/classroom-resources/seed-dispersal-and-habitat-fragmentation

Article has been attached (you may use another article of choice if you would like; this is just a suggestion) Prepare a Powerpoint presentation (15–20 slides) that explains the article following article: Engineering of ?-Glucosidase Bgl15 with Simultaneously Enhanced Glucose Tolerance and Thermostability To Improve Its Performance in High-Solid Cellulose Hydrolysis , as well as any prior study necessary to understand article. (you may use another article of choice if you would like; this is just a suggestion). Include, as necessary for understanding, information such as: –       Name of enzyme and EC number –       Cofactor required –       Substrate –       Kinetic parameters (kcat, KM) –       Reaction catalyzed and mechanism –       Reaction conditions (pH, T, solvent, etc.) –       Assay used to characterize enzyme –       Mutagenesis method and screening/selection assay –       Type of enzyme engineering (rational design vs directed evolution) –        Enzyme structure –       Type of biocatalytic transformation (e.g., fermentation, biotransformation, etc.) –       Biocatalytic process (e.g., deracemization, direct asymmetric synthesis, kinetic resolution, cofactor recycling, etc.) –       Use 3–5 bullet points on slides if necessary (except when showing figures). When showing figures, include short legend to understand the figure. SUGGESTION: use a sentence to provide take-home message, either as title of slide or as statement at the bottom of your slide (see example assignment). Guidelines: 1.     Introduction (5–7 slides) a.     Explain context and background needed to understand paper (i.e. what is the current state?of?the?art? why should we care about this study?) b.     Describe system under study (i.e., enzyme and/or method) c.     Clearly state the objective and hypothesis of the current study 2.      Methods and Results (8–12 slides) a.     Describe what the authors did and show results from article (i.e. copy/paste figures and tables, with appropriate legend so that reader can understand) b.      Explain important methods, especially if these are new engineering strategies 3.      Discussion and Conclusions (2–3 slides) a.     Put these findings in the context of the field (i.e. discussion, how does this compare to previous methods or previous work?) b.      Summarize what the findings of the paper were (i.e., what was achieved? Did it work?) c.     Future directions   Please ensure to answer all key points

Is the perfect baby perfect? Ethics and genetic modification:  With the advancement of medicine, the challenge for man is not to procreate but rather to create the perfect offspring. Thanks to modern technology humans can now genetically modify their babies in-vitro, but is this ethically justifiable, by modifying this baby would it not also influence its learning of virtue? Is an engineered baby morally justified or not justified by the natural deontology of life as we know it? Let’s explore this using different ethical theories (Deontology-Utilitarian-Virtue) watch the Human Condition on Netflix https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/comment/genetically-modified-babies-debate/ https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-50460721 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28885275/ https://www.heritage.org/marriage-and-family/commentary/just-because-we-can-create-genetically-modified-babies-doesnt-mean https://www.dw.com/en/genetically-edited-babies-an-ethical-transgression/a-51836243

After you submit the final draft of the Data Analysis and Conclusions assignment, you will be assigned the Data Analysis and Conclusions document from a student in the other group (by the end of the day, Tuesday, 12/8). If you are in Exercise 6 Group 1, then you will be assigned a peer document from a student in Exercise 6 group 2 and vice versa. If the document assigned to you does not have data from the other group, or has incomplete information then you must send  Dr. Mohan an email ([email protected]) requesting a new peer document assignment no later than Friday, 12/11. Due date extensions will not be granted because you waited too long to check the peer document assigned to you.  You will evaluate this peer document by filling out the rubric for the final draft of the Data Analysis and Conclusions document assigned to you by noon on Monday, 12/14. You will also use the information in the peer document assigned to you to complete the Data Summary assignment (see below for additional details), by noon on Monday, 12/14. To ensure that you are using accurate information to complete the data summary assignment an answer key for the data analysis and conclusions assignment assigned to the other group will be added to your Exercise 6 group page by Tuesday, 12/8. You should also use this answer key as a reference to complete the peer evaluation assignment.  Refer to the instructions outlined in “How do I submit a peer review to an assignment? ” for information on how to access the peer document assigned to you and fill out the rubric. Remember, the document you are evaluating is the final draft of the Data Analysis and Conclusions assignment.  In the data summary assignment, you will use the data generated for the research questions assigned to your Exercise 6 group and the Data Analysis and Conclusions document assigned to you for peer evaluation to address the two overall goals of Exercise 6:  Determine treatment options for MH1 infections Determine if MH1 is a strain of E. coli or salmonella. In addition to the experiments you and your peers analyzed for the Data Analysis and Conclusions assignment, you will analyze the results from two new experiments. These experiments were carried out to confirm the results from previous experiments conducted to determine the identity of MH1.  For this assignment, you will type up the answers to the questions  listed below in a separate document, using Word or GoogleDocs. Then, convert the document to a single pdf file and submit the assignment by uploading it here by noon on Monday, 12/14. Handwritten and/or scanned files will not be graded. Additionally, you must upload the Data Analysis and Conclusions peer document that was assigned to you for evaluation. Data Summary Assignment Questions: List your Group number. (1pt) Which of the antibiotics tested in this exercise (Ampicillin, Kanamycin, Tetracycline and Chloramphenicol), can be used to treat MH1 infections? Provide a rationale for your answer and indicate if your conclusion is based on results you analyzed or on results analyzed by a peer assigned to the other group. (2pts) In 1-2 sentences summarize how MH1 is resistant to the penicillin family of antibiotics. Provide a rationale for your answer and indicate if your conclusion is based on results you analyzed or on results analyzed by a peer assigned to the other group. (2pts) Based on the results from the beta – galactosidase assay and the GapA, ApeE, and InvA PCR experiments can you determine if MH1 is a strain of E. coli or Salmonella or is the overall conclusion about the identity of MH1 still inconclusive? Provide a rationale for your answer and indicate if your conclusion is based on results you analyzed or on results analyzed by a peer assigned to the other group. (2pts) To confirm the results from the beta-galactosidase assay, an additional PCR experiment was carried out using primers for the beta-galactosidase gene and DNA template from MH1, E. coli and Salmonella. After gel electrophoresis, a single band was observed in the lane with the E.coli sample and in the lane with the MH1 sample. Based on the results from the beta-galactosidase assay, are these results expected? Provide a brief rationale for your answer. (1pts) Do these results change your conclusion about the identity of MH1? Provide a brief rationale for your answer. (2pts) To confirm the results from the ApeE PCR experiment, the PCR product from the MH1 sample was sequenced. Follow these directions  to perform a BLAST analysis of the MH1/ApeE PCR product and then answer the questions listed below. Based on the top five matches from the BLAST analysis, what can you conclude about the identity about the DNA fragment that was amplified in the MH1/ApeE PCR reaction? Provide a rationale for your conclusion. (2pts) Do these results from BLAST analysis change your conclusion about the identity of MH1? Provide a brief rationale for your answer.

Final Research Proposal Guidelines I will attach my first paper & my outline in files. Please feel free to stray from it, I need an A paper. The proposal should contain well-developed sections (Put clear titles on the top of each section) of your outline that you submitted earlier. The proposal should have seven (7) major sections: Introduction: A brief overview of all your sections. Approx. one page A summary of the literature review. In this section, you would summarize the previous research (summarize at least 8-10 scholarly research articles), and also your field data collection results (if it was connected to your proposal topic). Also indicate the gaps in the previous research, including your pilot study, and the need for your research study. Please devote around three pages to reviewing the previous research and finding the gaps. Arising from the literature review, write the Purpose Statement of your research (purpose statement should have all its parts clearly written. Follow the examples from the textbook). Identify two to three main hypotheses or research questions (based on the quantitative/qualitative research design). Also, give some of your supporting research questions. Follow the examples from the textbook. Describe the research strategy of inquiry and methods that you would use and why. The method part should be the substantial part of your paper, around three Define your knowledge claims, strategies, and methods from the textbook (and cite), why you chose them, and how you will conduct the research in detail. One page on the significance of your study. A complete reference list of your sources in APA style on a separate page. The total length of the paper should be between 8-10 pages (excluding the reference and cover pages).