Biology 1012 by

Padlet Assignment 1/ Evolution

bsmit152 — 2025-06-04 13:51:50 UTC

I chose this image to represent the concept of evolution because it illustrates a certain example from Unit 11.1, "Discovering How Populations Change. For example, in Darwin's study of population genetics, there is a special case of natural selection that he calls sexual selection. Darwin described how "Sexual Selection occurs in two ways: through Intrasexual selection, as male-male or female-female. This selection is also known as Genetic Drift, which causes random changes in allele frequencies when populations are small. From Darwin's theory, it can be assumed that the ape population became small, which led to the human species, who have different allele migrations.

Padlet Assignment 2

bsmit152 — 2025-06-11 12:10:47 UTC

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic that is referred to as "Good Bacteria". This type of bacteria can be found naturally in the human gut, mouth, and certain foods available as supplements, for example, yogurt. Studies suggest that Lactobacillus acidophilus helps with digesting and absorbing nutrients in food, metabolizes toxic waste products, and produces amino acids and short-chain fatty acids necessary for normal human activities. They can also provide definite health effects, such as improving the host microecological balance while exerting other beneficial effects on the intestinal tract. Acidophilus is a species of beneficial microbial flora and has been proven to play an important role in many pathological and physiological processes. It has been shown to improve CVD and lactose intolerance, prevent and treat cancer, regulate immunity, and improve gastrointestinal diseases.

Works Cited

Gao, Huijuan, et al. “The Functional Roles of Lactobacillus Acidophilus in Different Physiological and Pathological Processes.” Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, vol. 32, no. 10, 30 Aug. 2022, pp. 1226–1233, https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.2205.05041.

Padlet Assignment 3

bsmit152 — 2025-06-21 22:46:22 UTC

Monocots and dicots are the two classes used to categorize plants, or angiosperms. classifications aid in organizing plants into groups. At the highest level, the Kingdome is divided into two main types: non-vascular and vascular plants Non-vascular plants lack an internal system for transporting water and nutrients, whereas vascular plants have internal vessels, known as xylem and phem, which facilitate the movement of water and nutrients throughout plant.

This structural adaptation allows vascular plants to grow larger and thrive far from water sources. Most plants in ecosystems are vascular. Vascular plants are divided into gymnosperms, which bear scaly seeds and often form cones, and angiosperms, which are flowering plants. Angiosperms produce seeds enclosed within a type of fruit.

You can see and utilize various plant classes in your daily life. For example, last night, I used bay leaves, which come from a dicot plant, while preparing a dish. I also used a tomato, which is classified as a dicot because its seeds contain two cotyledons. This classification is also illustrated in the Monocot Vs Dicot graph.

Works Cited

DeLong, Candace. “Farm Credit of the Virginias.” 26 Aug. 2024, www.farmcreditofvirginias.com/blog/monocots-and-dicots.

Padlet Assignment 4 Arthropods

bsmit152 — 2025-06-22 20:00:19 UTC

In the video titled "All About Arthropods," we explore the essential structures and functions of arthropod species. Animals are categorized into two primary groups: vertebrates, which possess a backbone (including mammals, birds, and reptiles), and invertebrates, which lack a backbone such as insects, spiders, worms, and jellyfish.

Arthropods stand out as a prominent group of invertebrate animals, representing a staggering 80% of all animal species. They thrive in every habitat on Earth. This diverse category includes crustaceans such as crabs, shrimp, and lobsters, as well as terrestrial arthropods like spiders, insects, ticks, and millipedes.

Arthropods feature a tough exoskeleton that plays a critical role in preventing water loss. They undergo a vital process known as molting, during which they shed their exoskeleton to accommodate growth and subsequently form a new one. Typically, arthropods are small in size, yet their significance in the ecosystem is most memorable.

Works Cited

Arthropod | Definition, Types & Evolution Video. “Arthropod | Definition, Types & Evolution - Video | Study.com.” Study.com, 2025, study.com/academy/lesson/video/arthropods-definition-characteristics-types.html. Accessed 22 June 2025.

Human Homeostasis

bsmit152 — 2025-07-08 00:20:26 UTC

Homeostasis cannot occur without the initial establishment of setpoints, feedback mechanisms, and regulation. The human body contains numerous control systems that identify changes caused by disruptors and utilize effectors to address those changes. The setpoint is crucial for constructing the homeostatic control system and represents the target value that the system aims for.

Homeostatic regulation includes both local control (through paracrine or autocrine responses) and reflex control (which involves the nervous and endocrine systems). Homeostasis plays a role in every organ system throughout the body. Likely, no single organ system functions in isolation; the regulation of body temperature requires the collaboration of at least the integumentary, nervous, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular systems. The main goal of homeostasis is to preserve the established internal environment against external stimuli that threaten to disrupt the equilibrium.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559138/

Padlet Assignment 6/ Diabetes Management

bsmit152 — 2025-07-08 00:54:38 UTC

Diabetes remains the primary cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States and other developed nations. In 2021, diabetes accounted for 44.4% of all new ESRD cases. It is estimated that around 40% of individuals with type 2 diabetes and 30% of those with type 1 diabetes will experience CKD at some point in their lives. CKD is characterized by a persistent estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 60 mL/min per 1.73 m², persistent albuminuria (with a urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) of 30 mg/g or higher), or other indicators of kidney damage. Given that these measurements can fluctuate over time, a duration of at least 3 months is needed for a CKD diagnosis.

Individuals with diabetes who also have CKD face not only a heightened risk of worsening kidney disease but also an increased likelihood of various microvascular and macrovascular complications, such as diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and early death.

Implementing lifestyle changes, including a nutritious diet, consistent physical activity, quitting smoking, and managing weight, serves as the foundation and initial approach to treatment for all individuals with diabetes.

Works Cited

Jayachidambaram Ambalavanana and Maria Luiza Caramori. “OpenAthens / Sign In.” Usg.edu, 2025, www.galileo.usg.edu/flo1/bentos/scholarly?q=diabetes+article&page=2. Accessed 8 July 2025.

Tropical Rainforest Biome/ Padlet 7

bsmit152 — 2025-07-15 17:20:00 UTC

The Tropical Rainforest Biome has many unique features. This biome receives more rainfall than any other, typically ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 millimeters (79 to 394 inches) annually. Its vegetation is diverse, including vines, palm trees, orchids, and ferns. There are two categories of rainforests: tropical and temperate. Tropical rainforests are located nearer to the equator, while temperate rainforests are situated farther north in coastal regions. Most common houseplants originated from rainforests. The tropical rainforest is characterized by a hot and humid environment with year-round rainfall. It is recognized for its thick layers of vegetation, divided into three distinct levels. The upper layer, known as the canopy, consists of towering trees that can reach heights of 75 m (about 250 ft) or more. This layer obstructs much of the sunlight from penetrating to the forest floor. The canopy also contains robust, woody vines that climb the trees in search of sunlight. The middle layer, or understory, comprises vines, smaller trees, ferns, and palms. A significant number of species from this layer are utilized as common houseplants. Due to the limited sunlight and rainfall they receive, these plants adapt well to indoor environments. The bottom layer, or forest floor, is blanketed with damp leaves and decaying plant matter. This material decomposes quickly in the warm, wet conditions (similar to compost), returning nutrients to the soil. There are few vegetation types found on the forest floor, largely due to the insufficient sunlight. Nonetheless, the warm, humid conditions, along with the abundance of decomposing material, create ideal circumstances for the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms.

Works Cited

Przyborski, Paul, and Robert Levy. “Rainforest: Mission: Biomes.” Earthobservatory.nasa.gov, NASA, 19 Aug. 2020, earthobservatory.nasa.gov/biome/biorainforest.php.

What is Biodiversity/ Padlet 8

bsmit152 — 2025-07-15 17:33:13 UTC

The video describes that biodiversity refers to the extensive variety of life present on our planet. The overall biodiversity of our planet is exceptionally large. A greater biodiversity on Earth ensures the security of all life, including humans, as our planet supplies all the necessary biodiversity needed. It also outlines how the loss of biodiversity can lead to catastrophic consequences, making life increasingly rare on the planet. The term encompasses every living organism found within a specific area or ecosystem, including plants, microorganisms, animals, and humans. Biodiversity is generally evaluated by the variation present at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. Terrestrial biodiversity usually peaks in regions near the equator, a phenomenon attributed to the warm climate and increased primary productivity.

Works Cited

American Museum of Natural History. “What Is Biodiversity? Why Is It Important?” American Museum of Natural History, 2019, www.amnh.org/research/center-for-biodiversity-conservation/what-is-biodiversity.