VDA#6

1. Scientists predict that prune fingers may serve a purpose.  What purpose do they suggest prune fingers serve?

They suggest that prune fingers wrinkles improve our fingers’ ability to grasp wet, slippery objects.

2. Do you think that the study performed in England was a valid study?  Why or why not?  

No it is not a valid study,because the number of participants was small. Also people's hands may take longer than 30 minutes to develop the wrinkles. Besides they did not mention how much was the difference between the two groups. 

3. How would you design an experiment to gather more data to support the suggestion that prune fingers serve a purpose?   (Be sure to include the number of people sampled, the independent and dependent variables and the duration or amount of time for your experiment.)

I would sample one hundred people, my independent variable is they will soak both their hands for 1 hour and different ages of the participants. My dependent variable is that i will use different objects to move and i will change the temperature of the room or the temperature of the water they soak their hands in.               

4. While scientists are attempting to determine the biological purpose for prune fingers, the article does not discuss why prune fingers happen in the first place.  What biological process allows for the skin on our hands and feet to turn wrinkly when submerged in water for long periods of time? 

The biological process that allows for the skin on our hands and feet to turn wrinkly when submerged in water for long periods of time is called osmosis. 
(http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/01/getting-a-grip/)

VDA#4



1. What is Richard Lenski studying and why does he think it's important?

Richard Lenski is studying: Does evolution always lead to the same end point? If he started with 12 identical flasks, full of identical bacteria, would they all change over time in the same way? Or would random mutations send each bottle's population spinning off in a different direction? He thinks it is important because he wanted to now if bacteria evolve the same way over time.

 

2. What is Telewski studying and why does he think it's important?

Telewski is studying how long seeds can remain dormant.It is important to him because he says the mysteries of long-term seed viability remain scientifically interesting. Only two plant species sprouted from the last Beal bottle.

 

3. What benefits do you see in performing long-term scientific studies like these?

I could see if bacteria evolve to something bigger maybe even become multi-cellular. IT could help see if you could evolve other animals maybe an endangered one and see if the evolve enough so they could repoduce faster or to see if they can evolve long enough so they could better protect themselves in their habitat.

                                                                     Part 2

I commented on Umaimah's and Ameer's. 



VDA 5



write a paragraph of at least 6 sentences that explains

1.      what mercury is,

Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air, water and soil. It exists in several forms – elemental (also known as metallic mercury), inorganic and organic. Pure mercury, also called quicksilver, is a liquid metal that easily evaporates, giving off invisible, odorless and toxic vapors. Mercury cannot be created or destroyed. Exposure to mercury – even small amounts – may cause serious health problems.

2.      what it can do to pregnant women

Mercury can damage many parts of the body, including the nervous system, lungs and kidneys. It also can cause hearing and vision problems. The seriousness of the damage depends upon how much mercury you’re exposed to.

Babies who are exposed to mercury in the womb can suffer brain damage and affect the baby’s hearing and vision.

 

3.      How they can prevent these problems while pregnant?

 

The bigger and older the fish, the more mercury it's likely to contain. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourage pregnant women to avoid:

·         Swordfish

·         Shark

·         King mackerel

·         Tilefish