Movie --> Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
1. What is evolution? Evolution is a process that could either caused by natural or human involvement, in which organisms change throughout time in order to enhance its survivability rate, and in the end will win over the competition with the previous species before evolution. 2. What is the difference between fact and theory? A fact is something that is real and proven to be true, while a theory is something that is based on a person's thought, but yet to be proven. 3. How do species evolve? Evolution occurs either due to human involvement or natural cause. They evolve so that the new species is better than the previous and have a higher survival rate. New species is made through mutation and those mutation will compete with its origin species, resulting in the mutation's winning since they have higher survival ability to that certain environment. Climate and environment can also involve in the changing of a species in a certain place. Each time, evolution works to make the organism improve better and better, slowly within phases. Recently in China, a company named BGI had develop a way to modify a pig's gene so that it will not grow very large, making it suitable as a pet. People in China had wanted to keep pig as a pet, but when they became very large, they're difficult to control. BGI has been known for sequencing human, plants and animal DNA, and now they use a process called gene editing to disable a copy of the pig's growth hormone receptor gene so that the cells don't get a signal to grow.
BGI intends to sell this new type of pig in China first. However, the gene edited micro pigs needs more evaluation to make sure that they will develop healthily and whether they could harm the environment and other livestock if they were released or escape. Link to the article: http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-china-micropigs-20151005-story.html "Cells and How they Worked"An Analogy with the Actors of BusinessHenry was never fond of biology. Right after he got out of high school he threw away his biology textbooks and enrolled himself to a business school. Years later he became a successful CEO and the proud father of Madeleine. Henry thought that his biology days were over, that was until Madeleine came up to him and asked, “Daddy, what are the roles of the cell organelles?” Henry’s eyes widened. “Um… I’m not so sure myself…” “But daddy, my homework is due tomorrow and that google thing just made me even more confused,” Madeleine whined, pouting her lips. “Please teach me.” Even though Henry deleted everything he learned about the cells years ago, he didn’t want to see his little girl disappointed. “I’ll try my best,” he said after a moment of thought. “But don’t blame me if you fail science.” “I won’t!” Madeleine smiled brightly as she jumped on her father’s lap. “Okay, so what does the nucleus do?” Henry quickly grabbed his phone and browsed the Internet. He knew he wouldn’t do this without the help of google. “Well, the nucleus can be found in plants and animals,” he began as he continued, “its job is to control the eating, movement and reproduction. It’s quite similar to the government’s role in businesses. It controls the businesses in our country,” “The nucleus also protects the DNA, much like the government in its role in businesses, you get it right?” Madeleine nodded. “Oh now I get it.” “On to nucleolus,” Henry announced, staring at the screen of his phone. “The nucleolus is found in both plant and animal cells. Its role is to rewrite the RNA along with combining it with protein. It’s much similar to the economy coordinator ministry because it helps bring the business together and helps the flow of the business.” Madeleine felt giddy and excited. She easily grasped the information given to her and wrote it down on her worksheet while her dad continued reading the information he was receiving through his phone. “Like the two cells we’ve learned before, the cell membrane is found in both plant and animal cell,” Henry stopped for a while and cleared his throat before continuing, “it regulates what goes in and out the cell, much like the-“ “Export and import department!” Madeleine cuts off enthusiastically. “This is fun daddy, tell me more!” Henry couldn’t help but laugh. He thought this was quite boring. “Okay, the next cell is cytoplasm, which like the others, is found in plant and animal cell. Cytoplasm is the fluid that fills a cell, its job is rather similar to an employees job because the employee fills the business with creative ideas,” “Now, on to the ribosome,” Henry scrolled through his phone. “The ribosome is found in plant and animal cell. It functions as the protein producer, much like the production department of a business. The production department produces the products consumers are going to make, just like ribosomes produce proteins,” “Why this is a first,” Henry said in a surprised manner. “The mitochondria can only be found in an animal cell. Like the national finance department, mitochondria produce energy. The only difference is the energy produced in the national finance department is in the form of money, which is a vital part of a business, whereas mitochondria produces energy for the cell,” “I was starting to think all cells could be found in both animals and plants,” Madeleine said. “Well, apparently not, continue please.” “Vacuole is found in a plant cell… Well, that’s another first. Its function is to hold materials and waste. Other than that, it maintains proper pressure within the plant cells to provide structure. Basically, it’s the storage. Every business has a storage. I’m not even going to explain myself,” “Moving on to the golgi apparatus. It’s found in the plant and animal cell. It is similar to the distribution department because it modifies, sorts and packages the proteins for secretion just like the distribution department packages the product to the consumer,” Madeleine grew even more interested by the second whereas Henry was wishing it could be over faster. “Anyways, next up on the list in rough endoplasmic reticulum, which is found in both plant and animal cells. It is involved in the production and export of proteins, glycoproteins and hormones. In other words, it is similar to the distribution department too because it delivers the proteins, glycoproteins and hormones to the cell also it is the highway of the cell, which makes it similar to the distribution department which focuses on delivery,” “There is also a smooth endoplasmic reticulum, which is found in both animal and plant cells. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum produces lipids and steroids. It is similar to the production department, which focuses on development of the product,” he explained until he was out of breath. “Thank God this is almost over,” “It’s not over yet daddy, we still have three more cell organelles left,” Madeleine informed. “You’re doing a good job.” This time, Henry cut to the chase. “The lysosome is found in both plant and animal cell. It breaks the materials and worn out cells or wastes. If you think about it, its job is rather similar to the human resources department because they let go of the workers, or in this case wastes, “The cell wall,” Henry read aloud, his voice cracking. “The cell wall is found in plant cell and its role is to provide cells with structural support and protection. In a business the cell wall would be the state owned enterprise,” “Last one daddy, you got this.” Madeleine cheered. “Chloroplast, found in plant cells. It transforms water into food with the help of the sun. Like mitochondria, chloroplast can be considered as the national finance department in a business structure because they have similar jobs however they’re found in different organisms.” “Is that it?” Madeleine asked. Henry nodded. “Pretty much.” “That wasn’t so bad,” Madeleine said positively. “I liked your business analogies. They made it more interesting.” “I’m glad you liked it.” The next day, Madeleine came home with a big smile on her face because she has aced her assignment. She owes it all to Henry, who apparently still loathed biology. "Gattaca Movie Review"
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AuthorName: Astrida Nayla Archives
April 2016
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