Acerca de
Biology
Mesocosm Project
PREDICTION: My prediction for this mesocosm is that it the plants will be able to adapt t this environment and all the cycles will be able to form, like the CO2, oxygen and water ones. This will make the organisms healthy as well as the plants.
OBSERVATIONS: The data collected (including the data sheets) as well as a description of the quantitative and qualitative data collected.
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ANALYSIS: Over these last weeks, I carefully observed my mesocosm and the way that it changed. At the beginning, the plants, organisms, and water cycle were doing great. After a week or so, the plants started to spread more roots, and I could observe new organisms. However, during my final observations, I couldn’t spot any of the larvas or slugs that used to be there. Even though there are no longer visible organisms, the water cycle as well as the plants are better than ever. All the plants look super healthy and extremely green. I have also discovered a new species of moss.
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CONCLUSION:
Biotic - larvas, caterpillar, slugs, ant, worm, fruit fly, moss, grass, plant.
Abiotic - sunlight, temperature, nutrient enrichment, humidity, soil.
All the insects mentioned above (larvas, caterpillar, slugs, ant, worm, fruit fly), correspond to the trophic level of primary consumers and decomposers.
All the plants (moss, grass, plant), are producers.
The energy flow and nutrients provide all the necessary things in order for all the organisms in the mesocosm survive. Cycles like the nitrogen, ocygen, water, and C02 take place and are composed by all the organisms.
EVALUATION: My limitations for this design is that the jar that I used has a really big label that I wasn’t able to take off. This is a limitation because it messes with the sunlight intake. Besides that, I think that my mesocosm turned out fine and so far.
Diffusion Observation Lab
Principled
It is important to develop this skill when it comes to any lab experiment, as one has to be very responsible and ethically aware of what they are doing. No matter how safe the procedures may be, a scientist hast to have strong principles and morals when it comes to labs. This was the first lab session that we did in an online fashion, but we still had to follow the same protocol as if we were in school.
It was a challenging lab session, because we couldn't get any external help, so we had to be very cautious and precise.
At the beginning of the lab, I remember feeling unmotivated because I was s ad that this was the new reality. When we went to school, bio labs were one of my favorite classes because they were very fun and interactive. However, at the end of this lab session, I realized that I could still learn and have fun even if the labs were online.
Digestive System Task
6.1.S2: Identification of tissue layers in transverse sections of the small intestine viewed with a microscope or in a micrograph:
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Outline the function of the four layers of tissue found in the wall of the small intestine.
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Serosa- the layer on the outside, it is a connective tissue.
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Muscular layer – inner circular and outer longitudinal muscle perform peristalsis
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Submucosa – connective tissue (between the mucosa and muscle)
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Epithelial cells – single outer layer of cells on each villus
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Mucosa- Inner layer with veins and arteries, connective tissue.
6.1.U5: Villi absorb monomers formed by digestion as well as mineral ions and vitamins.
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Define absorption. The uptake of digestive food molecules, minerals and vitamins into the blood.
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List materials absorbed by the villi cells of the small intestine.
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vitamins
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minerals
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monosaccharides
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amino acids
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fatty acids
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glycerol
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6.1.U4: Villi increases the surface area of epithelium over which absorption is carried out.
List three adaptations that increase the surface area for absorption on the small intestine. Many villi and microvilli, folds of the inner surface.
Caring
I believe that the whole subject relates to the caring skill, as we care to learn about the environment, how our body works, and science overall. This particular piece of work talks about the digestive system, which is crucial for us humans, but also for other living creatures to exist. By wanting to learn and being informed about such topic, I would label every biology student as being caring of themselves and others.