Biology

Exhibition Reflection DNA Project

The first lab activity we did in class was the collection of DNA into a vial.  We did this in order to learn about how to separate the DNA for further use.  The next thing we did was the virtual lab on CSI.com so that we could better understand the way DNA evidence is collected in the field.  Third we created some electrophoresis gel and actually ran an electrophoresis lab experiment.  We did this in order to better understand just how DNA is analyzed by professionals.

These technologies have led to the exoneration of over three hundred innocent people.  The reason this is, is that DNA, unless improperly analyzed, is always impartial.  The most common case that is subjected to DNA testing is rape cases due to semen evidence on the victim.

Basically what we had to do for our project was to create a tape sculpture depicting an exoneree.  My group sculpted Larry Ollins, who was convicted at the age of 15 for the rape and murder of a woman in Chicago IL.  We represented this person by putting him in a position of agony and deep self reflection of a crime that he did not commit.  We had several things including a chain and cage depicting the justice system cutting him off from the outside world.  We added a video on what Larry would be missing in jail.

I learned a whole lot but I would rather talk about how my viewpoint on the justice system has changed throughout this process.  During the last few weeks I have actually developed a hatred for impartial justice systems.  One case that really set me on edge was a case that the only witness was a 14 year old chronic liar that “saw” the incident, and the jury, judge and everyone else believed him and sentenced a man to several years in prison.  Also I hate the inaccurate interrogation methods that can sway the investigation.

I connected to this project through the love for      .  Actually one of the possible occupations that I was interested in was law enforcement, so the interest in that actually engaged me better than if I wasn’t. 

I am very proud of the cage that I created for the locked away things.  I had a lot of fun welding that together as well as how it came out.  I am also proud of the video that went behind Larry.

Biology Blog

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The purpose of this blog is to inform the public of what we are doing in class.  This will keep people up to date with our biology class.

Biology is the study of all things living; their growth, reproduction, and function.

Check out my Human Function Project

What led up to this project?

A lot lead up to this project is several weeks of study on each system of the body.  Week 1 we discussed the digestive system, week 2 the reproductive, week three, the respiratory system.  We also learned about cells and the division and reproduction of cells.  We learned about what cells included in them such as mitochondria, nuclei, etc.   

What is the purpose of this project?

To delve deeper into a specific system to learn more about the functions of the individual parts of the system.  Another reason we did this was to do a public service project such as a blood drive like we did. 

How decisions were made by taking a short survey of what you don’t like to do.  Sort of if you were uncomfortable with speaking a stranger or calling people you don’t know.  Then we wrote down what we would like to do onto a sheet of paper and submitted it to Colleen.  

My role in the project was:                   

To create some sort of digital presentation of a chosen ailment of the circulatory system.  I chose to do a video on hemophilia.  I had to research my topic and then create several rough drafts of the project to refine it so it was perfect.

I am proud of the drawings I did for the video I think that I did great and my drawings came out great.

I would like to have increased the volume of the video I think that it was a little quiet.  You had to turn up your computer speakers all the way to hear it well.

I think that I will improve my project by making sure it is professional before I turn it in.

I found relevance in the blood drive we held.  I think it was good to get youth introduced into giving blood.

I will definitely get used to giving blood in the future.  I also took away a better understanding of a lot of different diseases and systems of the body.

SHARK DISECTION

For the last two weeks we have been disecting things.  I have chosen to disect a Dogfish Shark.  Here is it's digestive tract.




Didestive Tract of a Dogfish Shark