WolbachiWhat??

This past week my AP Biology class completed our last lab of the year! Like all of our other labs this was a fun and interesting way to learn about something new! This week’s topic was… Wolbachia!!

What is Wolbachia?

Wolbachia is a common bacterium found in arthropods and nematodes. It is transmitted through host eggs and alters the host. In insects, Wolbachia is a reproductive parasite meaning it manipulates the reproductive biology of the host. Wolbachia is most vertically inherited but can also move horizontally across species boundaries. Within anthropods Wolbachia has four main ways of manipulating host reproductive biology, but you must also understand transmission. Wolbachia is not easily transmitted and is most commonly transmitted from mother to offspring through egg infection. Males can be infected but they do not transmit Wolbachia. The four ways are…

1. Feminization of infected males
2. Reproduction without males
3. Killing infected males
4. Cytoplasmic incompatibility- modifying sperm form infected males which results in embryonic defects and death when sperm fertilize eggs not also infected

Our Lab

The purpose of our lab was to collect data about infected insects around our area. Our class brought in various types of insects from many different areas to extract the DNA to test if any of the insects had Wolbachia. We first had to extract DNA from the insects using the abdomen because that is where the Wolbachia DNA would be if the insect was infected. There were many steps involved in this where we had to add substances and extract certain amounts to get the DNA out. Next we used PCR to see the DNA. Lastly to examine the DNA we added the samples to the gel electrophoresis. We let the gels run and compared it to the control and Allie’s insect, which we knew was infected.

In the pictures above you can see some people got results and were successful at extracting the DNA. Allie’s well had the insect with Wolbachia so you can see the band closer to her name is the insect DNA and the band further from her name is the Wolbachia DNA. Marissa, Jen, and Bharthi also got results, but all had insects without Wolbachia. Looking at Davis’ you can see she only had a band for Wolbachia DNA, which is very interesting because it means she extracted DNA, but there is nothing for the insects DNA, just Wolbachia.

This was a super fun and interesting lab. It took a lot of time and repeating steps, but was fun to do as a class and as our

LiMPETS- Field Trip Fun!!

On Wednesday my AP bio class and I went to the FitzGerald Marine reserve in Half Moon Bay. My class began by exploring the site. We were able to walk around and see so many different species. It was so fascinating to be up close and able to touch everything!

I learned so much from the trip. I learned about the different sea anemones and how to differentiate them using senses. The aggregating anemone, sunburst, and giant green were the three we observed. From size to color and texture by the end I was easily able to tell the difference.

We also learned to identify turban snails and whelks. The shape of the shells also helped us identify. We had to touch and pick up the turban snails to make sure they did not start moving meaning it was actually a hermit crab. Lastly, we also learned about the ochre sea star. The sea star doesn’t have blood flowing through the body so it actually uses water meaning it cannot be out of water for long. My class actually got lucky enough and saw one of the sea star. (pic) I learned so much about the different organisms and quickly learned how to identify them.

In class we just finished the life-organized unit. We learned about many of these organisms and how they fit into certain phyla and classes. For example from class I could identify that the sea star was in the phylum echinoderms. This is because if it’s radial symmetry and several arms, which are just two features that put it in that phylum. I was also able to identify characteristics of many other organisms, which is cool to put what I learned to use! I also applied the idea of adaptation and survival of the fittest to the field trip. All these creatures in the tide pools need to be able to survive in and out of water for a long period of time. They go for hour spans in different environments and must be fit to live in both. Some of these animals may have had to adapt in order to do so. This is such a harsh environment that they have to live in and we learned that some animals are slowly decreasing in number, linked to survival of the fittest. Those organisms that are fit to live in this harsh environment are still flourishing and reproducing.

This field trip really was a great experience and a lot of fun! I really enjoyed looking at the organism up close. It is so cool to see them in real life and actually be able to touch them. Out of everything my favorite part was being able to explore. I thought it was so cool just to walk around and take in everything. This is something that I wont forget. It was also funny to see all my classmates (myself included) trying not to slip on all the tar. I enjoyed being able to be a part of this educational experience that was also service learning. It feels great to get something out of the trip! If I were to do this again or give advice to others I would definitely tell them to go in with a positive attitude. Yes, it is cold and yes you will get wet, but do not let it affect how you take in the creatures around you. This field was definitely worthwhile and one of my favorites!!

Check out the website for LiMPETS and FitzGerald Marine Reserve!!

Disclaimer: All pictures and video taken by either Mrs. Girard or myself.

Three Parent Babies

On February 3, 2015 the UK passed the law allowing for three person babies. This allows mitochondrial DNA modification.The mitochondria in our cells carries a lot of DNA with important information but many women have fatal diseases within their mitochondria, which can lead to death of their children.

The new law will allows doctors to replace the nucleus from a healthy donor egg with the nucleus in the unhealthy fertilized egg. This will create an embryo from three people. The Picture below describes the process in more detail.

I find this article very interesting. I think this process is a huge leap in science and technology and will help so many families in the future. I believe that this is a great way for mothers with mitochondrial diseases to still be able to carry and have their own baby. In the UK about 2,500 mothers could have children who are unhealthy due to the mitochondrial diseases. I believe that this could help so many people and is an important discovery.

I go to a catholic school where a topic like this would be very controversial. The catholic church does not belief in IVF to become pregnant. They teach that having a child should happen the natural way. Personally, I do not agree with this. I believe that every woman should have the right to carry her own child and this gives more woman a chance to experience motherhood. I think that using a donor cell is completely ethical and helpful. I hope that this law will grow to more place than the UK because this could really change the face of IVF and pregnancy for many families.

Clink here for more information on the new law!

Photo creds:

www.dailymail.co.uk

Never, Ever Give Up- Diana Nyad

Today I watched a TED talk where Diana Nyad spoke of her dream that she accomplished. She swan from Cuba to Florida at the age of 64. She talked about the struggles of swimming that length and what she was experiencing, but she mainly focused on the feeling she had that she was able to accomplish her goal. This was her fifth attempt and after years of training, she pushed through and did not give up.

This speech was truly inspiring. This really shows her strength and perseverance, I was so blown away by this accomplishments and could not imagine that feeling. Just by looking at Diana you could tell she was full of pride, she said life is a one way street we are getting older and that it what help push her to the finish line.

For me my main goal in life is to have a successful career. I have always wanted to be a nurse practitioner and now that college is next year the dream is getting closer. I know I will have to work hard in college and get into a good graduate school, but all the hard work and studying will pay off. Once I accomplish my career goal I know it will all be worth it. There are always challenges or obstacles to overcome and how you overcome them shows who you are as a person. I am ready for what comes my way and like Diana said life is a one way street we only have one chance so we should never, ever give up.

Disclaimer– Pictures: labeled for reuse on google Video: TED Talk

UC Berkley Nano High Ebola

Nano High at UC Berkley gives a series of educational talks to high school students. The lectures focus on cutting edge scientific research or current events. I have been to a nano high in the past to hear about the study of sleep in teenagers. This years nano high lecture was about Ebola presented by Dr. Ronald Francis.

After doing a lot of research in biology on Ebola this talk was very engaging. I knew exactly what Dr. Francis was talking about after the extensive research and projects we did in class. I was glad I had such a great background because the lecture was easier to follow since I knew a lot about ebola. I was a little surprised that Dr. Francis did not go into more depth because I expected to learned a little more than what I already knew. Although there was not as much new information I still throughly enjoyed the speech.

I would like to attend more lectures at UC Berkley because they are very informative and entertaining!

Cracking the Code of Life!

Cracking code of life was a very interesting movie. I enjoyed watching it and felt like I learned a lot after. I liked learning about specific people and their stories. I found it very interesting watching Celera competing to map the genomes. What they did was truly beneficial to many people.

One of the questions on the guide asked if you could take a test to find out if you have a certain disease would you. I thought about this question for a while and realized I would want to know. If there was a chance I could have a gene such as a cancer gene I would want to know in order to do what I could to prevent it. I think it is better to know and be prepared than for it to just happen.

Another question on the sheet asked if parents should be allowed to choose their children’s DNA to genetical construct them to make them a certain way. I did not agree with this and thought it was unethical. I believe that the DNA we receive should happen naturally and not be genetically modified to make a baby a certain way.

Overall I found this movie interesting and learned a lot!

Post Field Trip Reflection-Save the Bay!

The field trip to the Palo Alto Wetlands was a great experience to learn outside the classroom and have fun while doing it! My class was split into groups and we got to each have different jobs to help Save the Bay collect data! Using cool tools we found: the longitude, soil’s ph, salinity, moisture, texture, and plant diversity.

I was in charge of the pH readings. Using the Sparkunit and the pH reader I had to make sure the soil was moist and then hold a stick like object up to the soil to get a reading on the Sparkunit with the pH. My classmates were in charge of the other jobs, but I got to watch and still learn how to use the other tools such as the Sparkunit and salinity reader.

After we were finished with the first tests we got to look at the diversity of plants in the plots. Using the Simpson’s Diversity Index Formula we calculated the diversity on the plots after counting the different species of plants. This was super interesting and I learned about a bunch of different plants that I have never heard. This formula was very applicable to my class because it is something we will be using in the future and will also be on the AP test. I also found studying diversity of the area very applicable to my class because we have studied biological diversity in past chapters and diversity is something prevalent and important on our lives.

Citizen science is what my class did last week. It is when people from the community who are not professionals help conduct testing and research. Citizen science is super important to not only get the community involved but also to educate people on issues just like Save the Bay is doing. Because I participated in this I am so much more educated on issues going on in my city, and I feel like I contributed to helping the bay!

One great memory I wanted to share was about the many wasps there. After one of our chaperones was stung we were all on the look out, and of course my groups continuously was being chased by the bees, but it did end up being funny and an unforgettable part. I wouldn’t change anything, I really enjoyed myself and I know my class did too! I hope to go back soon!

Pictures created to Mrs. Girard

What do plants do without sunlight?

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Meiosis in Motion

 

Meiosis is the division of sex cells. This process reduces the number of chromosomes from a diploid to a haploid. This occurs in meiosis I and meiosis II. In prophase I, the first step and meiosis I, the chromosomes condense and the centrosome moves creating spindle formation. The homologous chromosomes crossover. In metaphase I the chromosomes move to the center at the metaphase plate and the spindle fibers lengthen. Anaphase I is where the chromosomes separate because the spindle fibers at the poles are shortening. The chromosomes are pulled towards opposite poll. The last part of meiosis I is telophase and cytokinesis I where the new membranes are formed and the cells separate to form two haploid cells. In meiosis II, prophase II is the first step. In both cells the spindle forms and the chromosomes, made of two chromatids, move towards the center. In metaphase II the spindle fibers are lengthening and the chromosomes are in the middle at the metaphase plate. Next in anaphase II the spindle fibers begin to shorten and the chromatids move towards opposite poles in both cells. Lastly in telophase and cytokinesis II the two cells form haploid daughter cells leaving a total of four cells.

For my project I used keynote. In keynote I used the shapes to form the cells and animated them to make them move. It was a great way to help me not only learn meiosis, but also visualize it. The fluidity helped because it made it easier to comprehend.

Mitosis: Counting Cells!

Purpose: The purpose of this lab was to observe the onion root tip to determine how long a cell takes in each phase of mitosis.

Introduction: Mitosis is cell division, which results in two identical daughter cells. Interphase is the longest stage and in this cycle the DNA replicates, the centrioles divide, and proteins are produced. The next phase is prophase and is the first mitotic stage. The nucleolus fades and chromatin forms into chromosomes. Chromosomes are made up of two chromatids with the same genetic information. In prometaphase the nuclear envelope breaks down so the nucleus is no longer visible. The spindle fibers begin to grow longer overlapping at the center of the cell. Next in metaphase, tension is applied by the spindle fibers and the chromosomes line up in the center of the cell. In the fourth step anaphase, the spindle fibers shorten which separates the chromatids. Lastly in telosphase the daughter chromosomes reach the pole forming two different cells.

Hypothesis: If an onion root tip is closely observed, then the majority of cells will be in interphase meaning interphase is the longest stage of mitosis.

Method:

1. Take three samples of an onion root tip
2. Take the first sample and focus on the tip under the microscope
3. Start by counting the total number of cells (an easy way to accomplish this is to count down and up and then multiply the two numbers to get an approximated value)
4. Count the number of cells in each phase and record the number
5. Divide the number of cells in each phase by the total number to get the percent of each one
6. Next multiply the percents found in step 5 by 24 to find the total hours spent in each cell.
7. Repeat steps 2-6 with the other two samples

Data:

Sample	Interphase	Prophase	Metaphase	Anaphase	Telophase
1	91%	4%	2%	1%	0.2%
2	92%	4%	2%	0.9%	0.5%
3	86%	5%	1.5%	0.6%	0.16%
Average %	89.7%	4.3%	1.8%	0.83%	0.29%
Time (hrs)	21.5 hrs	1 hr	0.43 hrs	0.2 hrs	0.06 hrs