Breath of Life Walk (10/11/14)

Me at the Breath of Life Walk at West Valley College in Saratoga, CA on 10/11/14

On October 11, 2014, I attended the Breath of Life Walk at West Valley College in Saratoga, CA. The Breath of Life Walk, organized by Breathe California of the Bay Area, is an event leading the fight against lung disease and for lung health through advocating for changes such as “tobacco-free communities, achieving healthy air quality, and fighting lung diseases such as asthma and tuberculosis” and further research research and assistance of people with lung disease. At the event, volunteer organizers promoted clean energy alternatives to everyday things, such as electric buses for school students, more use of electric vehicles by regular people, and clean air programs such as Clean Air Awards and Home Risk Assessments.

Breath of Life Event Setup Before the Walk (click to view in more detail)

At the event, I, along with a few other Bellarmine students and numerous other adults and children, participated in the Breath of Life Walk, a 5 km (3.1 miles) walk around and through the West Valley College campus. After the walk, I participated in a raffle led by the organizers, and a silent auction was held as well. Both of these activities following the walk were used to raise money for Breathe California and the continued fight for a cleaner Bay Area. Also, I listened to speakers such as Curtis Martin, who discussed the benefits of clean vehicles that run on alternative energy such as electricity.

Hybrid/Electric Cars from Odyssey Days’ “Clean and Green” Vehicle Display at the Breath of Life Walk Event (click to view in more detail)

The Breath of Life Walk directly benefited the community and the environment because it helped to raise awareness towards lung disease as a major issue and towards pollution as a whole in areas such as cars and buses. One positive impact my activity made on both the environment and to the local Bay Area community was informing people about the ways we can fight these problems with their services such as Lung Health Services and Community Education like school programs that help children learn about these issues early in their lives. Another positive impact was implanting the idea into the minds of many people about using electric vehicles such as the ones on display (seen in the second panorama photo above). This will directly help the local community because it will reduce air pollution as a result of having fewer gasoline cars on the road.

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Personally for me, I really enjoyed the Breath of Life Walk. In addition to walking in a beautiful setting, I learned some new information about pollution through Curtis Martin’s speech, pamphlets and fact sheets given out, and throughout the whole event as a whole. All my experiences at this event were positive ones, and I learned a lot of new things. What I got out of this experience most was that there currently are people who suffer from lung disease and other medical problems due to pollution that can be reduced through good energy alternatives. I now have more information and awareness of this issue and feel I can help effect positive change now and in the future through continuing to spread awareness and being more wary of the environment around me.

Sid

Goldfish Respiration Lab

In class last week, we did the Goldfish Respiration Lab, where the goal was to test how the respiration rate of a goldfish fluctuates with differences in the temperature of the water.

Prior to performing this experiment, I hypothesized that the rate of breathing of a fish would increase with an increase in the temperature of the water, and the respiratory rate would slow down with a decrease in the temperature of the water.

Materials used in this experiment

First, using the temperature monitor (the blue electronic device above), we measured the temperature of regular water. Then, we counted the amount of breaths the goldfish took in five minutes. After this, we placed warm water into the cup and measured the temperature and the number of breaths. Lastly, we did the same thing but added ice into the cup.

The goldfish used in the experiment

The results we received can be found in the third column. We compared our findings to another groups findings, which can be found in the first two columns (they used one small goldfish and one big goldfish in their experiment).

The results from the experiment. My group’s findings can be found in the third column.

Graph of Results

Overall, there is a clear difference in the respiratory rate of the goldfish in hot water compared to cold water. In hot water, the goldfish breathes faster. Similarly, fish breathe slower in cold water. With an increase in temperature comes an increase in the fish’s metabolism, which makes the fish require more oxygen to support this increased metabolism. The same occurs with the colder water: with less temperature, the fish does not need as much oxygen. The fish probably reacted in this way because they cannot maintain a stable body temperature like humans do, so when the outside temperature changes, they must change as well. In comparison to the average rate, our group’s goldfish reacted in about the same way, with only slight differences in the results. This shows that this reaction of the change in breathing rate occurs similarly across all fish.

Overall, my hypothesis was correct because with the increase in temperature came an increase in the breathing rate, and with a decrease in the temperature of the water came a decrease in the breathing rate.

Sid

Bryan Stevenson – TED Talk

In class, we listened to the following TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) talk by Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, where he speaks about many injustices prevalent in America today:

I thought that Stevenson’s talk, including stories from his own life, reveals the true nature of issues such as racial inequality, not caring for the poor, and justice in general. For example, Stevenson, a defense attorney, talked about the incident where he made a motion to try a 14-year-old black boy as a 75-year-old white man with wealth. He talked numerous times about how the opposite of poverty is not being rich, a powerful statement because he continuously stated that not much is being done to assist those really in need, portraying the rich as guilty. Stevenson also talks about the death penalty and how in Germany they cannot dare to bring back the death penalty due to their history.

Overall, Bryan Stevenson’s speech had a great message in it to help others as much as possible, and he, like many people, believe that more should be done to help the unlucky and the poor. As he said, the way a society is judged is not by the people but by how the people help the poor. This really shows the compassion and kindness of the entire society as a whole. I thought that his message can be applied to all of our lives because more can be done to assist those who truly need help the most.

Sid

Strawberry DNA Extraction Lab

On Friday (2/1/13), I performed a DNA Extraction laboratory experiment using strawberries. The materials I used were the following:

1. 1 strawberry
2. 5 mL liquid dishwashing detergent
3. 0.75 grams of salt
4. 45 mL water
5. Ice cold ethanol
6. Zip lock plastic bag
7. Filter paper
8. Funnel
9. Clear test tube

I will list each step below along with the reason for why each step was performed in the lab.

Step 1

First, I mixed 5 mL of dishwashing detergent, 0.75 grams of salt, and 45 mL of water to make the DNA extraction buffer.

Dishwashing detergent has the ability to break down the the membranes of a cell, releasing DNA in the process. Salt allows the DNA molecules to stick together and also removes excess proteins from the strawberry cells. Water was used mainly to allow for movement of the DNA in the solution.

The Crushed Strawberry with DNA Buffer

Step 2

Next, after creating the buffer, I cleaned the strawberry with water so that no unnecessary or unwanted materials were part of the experiment. Then, I placed both the cleaned strawberry and the DNA extraction buffer into a bag and crushed the strawberry using my hands. This breaks down the membranes of the strawberry and allows the DNA to come out of the cells.

Filtering out the excess materials from the strawberry

Step 3

I then placed a funnel in a test tube and covered the funnel in filter paper to remove excess materials from the mixture. Then, I poured the strawberry mixture into the funnel, and the liquid poured into the test tube through the filter.

Filtering the liquid from the strawberry mixture

The strawberry liquid with the DNA extraction buffer is shown below.

The strawberry liquid and DNA extraction buffer

Step 4 (Final Step)

I then placed ethanol into this test tube. I used ethanol because it separates the DNA strands from the strawberry liquid. The video below shows the separation of the DNA and the strawberry liquid.

The DNA of the strawberry is the stringy material located on the liquid (ethanol) above the red strawberry liquid.

Overall, this experiment was surprising to me in that anyone can extract DNA using simple materials such as dishwasher detergent, salt, water, and some strawberries. DNA plays a huge role in the lives of every living thing on Earth, and this experiment also allowed me to actually see DNA of a strawberry. This experiment shows that there exists so much more in nature than what meets the eye.

Sid

Cellular Respiration in Baseball

This picture of RIckey Henderson sliding into third base shows how short bursts of energy are necessary in baseball.

As a baseball player, I enjoy analyzing baseball from a scientific point of view. As I thought about baseball earlier today, I realized that cellular respiration plays a huge role in our nation’s pastime.

In the process of cellular respiration, energy gets extracted from food products such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Since humans use aerobic respiration, they require oxygen and glucose, as carbon dioxide, water, and ATP molecules become the products of respiration. In baseball, short bursts of energy are necessary for baserunning (shown above), hitting, fielding, and pitching. This is why many athletes have been known to have crazy diets with large quantities of carbohydrates and proteins because the energy derived from these foods will come in handy during a crucial moment in a game.

Sid

Sources:

http://razzball.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/RickeyHeanderson.jpg

The Curious Case of Matthew and Michael Clark

Brothers Matthew and Michael Clark

Recently, I came across the story of Matthew and Michael Clark, two brothers whom many call “Benjamin Buttons in real life.” These two men suffer from Leukodystrophy, a rare genetic disorder that affects cells located in the white matter of the brain. As a result of this disorder, they actually age backwards, meaning their brain development will occur backwards. Usually appearing during infancy, it can become very difficult to detect. Since there is no available cure yet for Leukodystrophy, scientists are testing to see if bone marrow transplants will cure this disorder.

There have been very few cases of this puzzling disorder in history. These men, formerly regular men with families, now live with their parents, playing with board games and toys such as Mr. Potato Head. As of April earlier this year, their mental age has been estimated to be that of a ten-year-old.

Below is a video from the UK’s Channel 4 showing their story:

The Clark Brothers.

Hopefully a scientific breakthrough can help these two brothers get back on the right track in the future.

Sid

Sources:

http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/CFRSqm4W_ngsYKLbCsoWJg–/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTMxMA–/http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/blogs/partner/470_2546026.jpg

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/leukodystrophies.html

The Electron Transport System and Energy

In the Electron Transport System (ETC), the main goal is to derive as much ATP (energy) as possible.

The Electron Transport System (ETC) in the mitochondria

When hydrogen protons travel through the inner mitochondrial membrane to the intermembrane space, a huge electric gradient forms, thus creating electric potential. These hydrogen protons then want to diffuse back through this inner mitochondrial layer, but the only way this can occur is by traveling through the ATP synthase. When they travel through the ATP synthase, an ADP (an ATP without one phosphate) attaches to this energy, causing an ATP to form.

The Electron Transport System is a very important part of the cellular respiration process because 34 ATPs are created. Without this section of respiration, organisms would have much less energy to use.

Sid

Sources:

http://www.hyperbaric-oxygen-info.com/image-files/electron-transport-chain-aerobic-cellular-respiration-000.png

The Energy Stored in a Gummy Bear

Yesterday, we performed an experiment with a gummy bear to test how much energy is stored within it. First, we placed potassium chlorate, the most commonly used chlorate in industrial use, into a test tube. Using a torch, we heated the potassium chlorate until it turned into a liquid. After this, we placed the gummy bear inside the test tube. There were hissing sounds and lights as carbon dioxide escaped the test tube into the air.

Below is a video that shows what exactly occured:

The energy stored in a gummy bear.

This experiment demonstrated the significant amount of energy a gummy bear has because of the large amount of sugar present in it.

Sid

Sources:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txkRCIPSsjM

The Number of Enzymes in our World

The enzyme Lactoylglutathione lyase (also known as glyoxalase I)

Enzymes are vital to the survival of every living thing on Earth. As of now, it is estimated that there are over 20,000 different kinds of enzymes in our world, and there are thousands of enzymes in our bodies alone. In the human body, enzymes perform many tasks such as the breaking down of carbohydrates in the mouth, which starts the digestive process. It is amazing how important and how many enzymes exist in our world because each enzyme has a specific function. The enormous number of known enzymes indicates how little we may actually know about the world around us.

Sid

Sources:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/GLO1_Homo_sapiens_small_fast.gif

http://www.answers.com/topic/how-many-enzymes-are-there

http://www.houseandhome.org/enzyme-facts

http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/s/salivary_gland.htm

The Complexity of the Calvin Cycle

The Calvin Cycle is a light-independent process that occurs during photosynthesis to conserve the energy produced by the light reactions in sugar form. In the 1950s, it was discovered by biochemist Melvin Calvin, a Nobel Peace Prize winner from the University of California, Berkeley.

Below is a simple representation of this cycle.

The Calvin Cycle in simple form.

However, the chart above only shows this cycle in a very simple and basic form. Below is what the Calvin Cycle really looks like.

The Calvin Cycle in complex form.

Pretty complex, huh? There are many enzymes that come into play in the Calvin Cycle, all serving a specific use.

As I look around our world today, everything is becoming smaller and simpler due to the bright minds of humans. If humans had created the Calvin Cycle rather than nature, we would have tried to make it as simple as possible. One would think that nature would make the Calvin Cycle more concise and less complex over time through evolution. It is fascinating to think how this reaction, through such a long period of existence, has not become any simpler than it is today.

Sid

Sources:

https://sidthesciencekid.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/nobel_laureate_1961_calvin.jpg

http://biologysemester52.wikispaces.com/file/view/calvin_cycle.gif/33572939/calvin_cycle.gif

http://users.humboldt.edu/rpaselk/BiochSupp/PathwayDiagrams/CalCyc.gif