I'm going to take that cigarette and stomp on it. (Bio Blog #4)

Blog #4 go to one of the following:
     NPR science
    Science News
    BBC Science
Read an article of your choice. Summarize it 5-8 sentences
Explain why you think it is important and put a link to the article

This is the article I chose:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100713165057.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+sciencedaily+(ScienceDaily:+Latest+Science+News)

This article was all about smoking and how it effects gene function. The Southwest Foundation of Biomedical Research launched a study and found that all those exposed to cigarette smoke had changes in the structures and functions of their cells. Smoking also had a horrible influence on the immune system and those changes in cells even appeared to have many processes involved with cancer, cell death and metabolism. There was an increased risk of different types of cancers throughout the body and also increases in human diseases. Based on this article, I'm sure it is safe to say that smoking will make you live a shorter life. I chose to write about this article, because I think there are way to many smokers in this world who smoke out of habit and are not really addicted. On top of that, I greatly dislike the smell of smoke and the negative effects on the human body are extremely horrible. I don't understand why people MUST have cigarettes, and how they could possibly avoid the fact that smoking can kill.

"...not only individual genes but entire networks of gene interaction are influenced by cigarette smoking."


In my opinion, I think all smokers should really open their eyes and see how smoking effects their bodies and how secondhand smoke effects everyone around them. They are inconsiderate. Think of all the non smokers who have to breathe it in every day; how do you think they feel about the fact that cigarette smoke effects them as much as it effects the smokers? They should genuinely try their hardest to quite. I know willpower is a large factor in quitting for many smokers, but I think that if they tried hard enough, they could quite smoking, help the world, and ultimately help themselves.


  

Blog #3

Are non-carbon based life forms possible? Why or why not? Give at least 2 reason to support your answer.

I don't believe non carbon based life forms are possible because carbon has certain characteristics that no other elements have, such as 4 valence electrons, which allows it to bond with other elements such as oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. Also, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and fats are all carbon based molecules that are necessary in life. On top of that, carbon is the only element that can form long chains and rings that are the base for organic compounds, which after a certain level can replicate by itself, unlike all other elements. Many people (scientists) believe that if there will ever be life somewhere besides earth, it will be carbon based. Silicon has been considered to be the next element that could possibly support life, but it still lacks many characteristics that are needed for life processes.

And (in MY opinion) if there are ever non carbon based life forms somewhere it will be a VERY VERY long time from now. (Do aliens exist? Possibly, but we might never know...)


info from:
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon-based_life
-http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/980221b.html

Bio Blog #2

I think the U.S, should switch to the metric system because:
-It will be less confusing if it followed the system of measurement everyone else uses.
-it can avoid problems like the one NASA had, where their rocket failed because scientists were not using the same measurement for the parts.
-there will be less measurement mistakes.
-it has been a topic of discussion for many years and I think it would benefit the U.S. if they switched to the metric system (because of the reasons listed above).

My goals for 2010-2011 school year::
-Get straight A's
-Make some new friends
-Meet lots of new people
-Join lots of clubs/activities
-Learn new things
-Find things I'm interested in
-Have fun :)