BIOL 1012 by

Assignment 1: Evolution Representation

sharri64 — 2025-03-18 02:37:07 UTC

This picture perfectly depicts evolution as a tree that starts from a single origin and produces every variant of life. The branches of the stem indicate the different kingdoms and relatives throughout. This marks how each species comes from another. This specific picture does not narrow down to the complete biological classification hierarchy but displays a general simplified breakdown. The main stem branches into kingdoms of Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc. From there the branches would continue to break off into increasingly specific order: phylum, class order, etc. Animals that are currently extinct are listed on the tree such as dinosaurs, indicating their ancestral relation to present-day animals. Therefore, this picture accurately illustrates the progression and function of evolution.

Assignment 2: Penicillium Chrysogenum Fungus

sharri64 — 2025-03-18 03:24:42 UTC

Penicillium Chrysogenum is a species of fungi found in the genus Penicillium. It commonly inhibits moist environments, such as forests and wet areas indoors. It can also be found growing on foodstuffs. This fungus is the primary source of penicillin, an antibiotic used to treat and prevent the growth of bacterial infections. Despite its role in healthcare, when found naturally it can have negative effects on human health. Also, the fungus can be manufactured into multiple varying substances. It can be made into chrysogine, a yellow pigment, and another form of antibiotic, xanthocilin. Penicillium Chrysogenum is akin to P. notatum and P. rubens and is commonly regarded as equivalent to these relatives.

Assignment 3:

sharri64 — 2025-03-30 22:10:59 UTC

This diagram illustrates the different characteristics of monocots and dicots. Based on the information given, we can see that these two types of plants vary in ways that are detectable in our everyday observations of plants. For instance, if you go outside and find a common clover weed, you can classify it as a dicot. The clover has two embryonic leaves, net-like veins in its leaves, and flowers that have 4-5 petals. If you take a closer look at the plant, you will find stems with a circular pattern of vascular bundles and small roots that stem from a larger primary root. An example of a monocot is the daffodil, commonly found planted in yards as decorative flora. With minimal investigation, you can identify the parallel venation on the daffodil leaves and flower petals in multiples of 3. An in-depth look reveals one cotyledon and scattered vascular bundles, as well as roots that branch from the base of the stem.

Web source: https://old-ib.bioninja.com.au/higher-level/topic-9-plant-biology/untitled-3/monocots-versus-dicots.html

sharri64 — 2025-03-31 00:35:14 UTC

Arthropods make up 80% of all known animal species and are the most varied group of animals, ranging from aquatic crustaceans to insects. They are known for their protective and supportive exoskeletons made of chitin, which allows these creatures a wide range of mobility and actions for defense, predation, and locomotion. Their exoskeletons also aid in the crucial preservation of water, a grand survival advantage. Arthropods are usually small in size due to their lack of a true skeleton, but aquatic arthropods tend to grow larger because of the supporting buoyancy of water. Furthermore, this fact highlights the amazing adaptability of arthropods. They have intricate organ systems that allow functions such as digestion, respiration, circulation, and reproduction. Additionally, they have sensory organs such as eyes and antennae utilized for navigation, hunting/scavenging, and communication. Some arthropods possess venom used for protection from predators and the hunting of prey. Arthropods are vital to the biodiversity and ecological processes on Earth, those being pollination, decomposition, and contribution to the food chain.

Assignment 5:

sharri64 — 2025-04-17 02:03:59 UTC

Homeostasis is primarily controlled by the hypothalamus and is the process by which the body maintains a balanced internal environment and allows proper bodily functions. It maintains temperature, fluid levels, oxygen, and blood pressure. Homeostasis uses negative feedback to reverse changes and positive feedback to boost reactions for a certain response. Negative feedback can be noted as an increase in heart rate to meet oxygen needs and sweating to cool the body. Positive feedback consists of contractions during childbirth and blood clotting to close an open wound. A disruption in homeostasis can be lethal, as it is imperative for survival, and can cause disease or illness. In the case of injury, homeostasis will react in accordance to combat the symptoms by causing a fever or blood clotting. However, homeostasis can go too far and become dangerous, causing severe allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, or immune responses like sepsis.

Assignment 6:

sharri64 — 2025-04-17 02:38:50 UTC

I learned from this article that energy consumption may be able to defend against asthma. According to the study, asthma risk decreased with the increase of total energy intake, but only up to a certain amount (56.44 kcal/kg/day). However, past this amount, there is no benefit regarding this disease. This could mean that inadequate caloric intake may be associated with a higher asthma risk, possibly because of compromised immune function or undernutrition. Additionally, I learned that balanced nutrition and certain diets could influence children at risk of asthma. Factors such as BMI, maternal health, and key vitamins and minerals should be the focus of these diets, rather than the intake of specific nutrients and foods. Controlling a wide range of variables, once believed to be unimportant regarding asthma, can provide a great amount of information about this disease. This research could lead to the discovery or improvement of asthma treatment and the reduction of risk.

Assignment 7: Tropical Rainforest

sharri64 — 2025-04-30 01:13:41 UTC

The tropical rainforest consists of three layers: the canopy (top layer), the understory (middle layer), and the floor (bottom layer). The canopy is made of humongous trees and woody vines that create a ceiling for the rainforest. It blocks sunlight from entering and creates intense competition for light amongst vegetation. The understory is composed of vines, ferns, smaller trees, and palms. The floor is wet and dark, typically making it hard for seeds to germinate without light, but providing the soil with an abundance of nutrients from decomposing leaves. Rainforests remain warm all year with average daily temperatures of 20°C to 25°C. Rainfall in these biomes ranges from 79 to 394 inches per year. Additionally, the majority of common house plants originate from rainforests!

Source: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/biome/biorainforest.php#:~:text=The%20tropical%20rainforest%20is%20a,about%20250%20ft)%20or%20more.

Assignment 8:

sharri64 — 2025-04-30 01:53:15 UTC

Ecosystems are delicate things and can collapse, but their survival largely relies on biodiversity. Biodiversity depends on the collaboration of ecosystem diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity to determine its density and resilience. The more these things intertwine, the stronger biodiversity becomes as each one supports the other. An individual species can play an integral role in biodiversity if the ecosystem heavily relies on its presence. These are called keystone species. Human interaction is a common factor that affects biodiversity. It's important to remember that, as humans, we too are impacted by biodiversity. And that biodiversity is vital to the well-being of the world and all its inhabitants, it keeps our environment functioning and livable.