Week 4. Tissues, Skin, Membranes Lab.

Part 1

Tissues Identification and Characterisation.

EPITHELIAL  TISSUE

This is epithelial tissue because the cells are organized and have a structure. They form the layers and have distinctive shapes: squamous, cuboidal, and columnar.

CONNECTIVE TISSUE

This is connective tissue because it have  a few living cells. It does have fibers, fat cells, and ground substance.

MUSCLE TISSUE

This is muscle tissue because it has long strands of muscle fibers which are long and thin. Also, the stands are usually positioned parallel to each other.

NERVOUS TISSUE

This is nervous tissue because it has a large (in comparison to other cells) body, it has the dendrites (extensions that spread out from the cell and receive the signals) and axon, (that transmits the signals).

Part 2.

Tissue Membrane

MUCUS

Part 3.

Body Position and Directional Panes.

a)

https://www.google.com/search

b)   My friend have a blister on the bottom (inferior) of her foot. In addition, it is located on the rear end of her foot (posterior). So, I would say, that she have a blister on her heel.

Part 4.

Skin Structure and Function.

1.  Duration of the sensation: about 4 seconds. 

2.  At a different location, the duration of sensation is the same, about 4 seconds. 

3/4.  After placing three more coins on the same location, the pressure sensation does return, but duration of it lasts for about 4-5 seconds. 

( i had an extra subject present for this experiment, but she didn't last long, so impatient   :) )

5.  I have fouond this simple video on how our skin receives its sensetion. 

http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/skinreceptors.html

Our sense of touch is controlled by a huge network of nerve endings and touch receptors in the skin known as the somatosensory system. This system is responsible for all the sensations we feel - cold, hot, smooth, rough, pressure, tickle, itch, pain, vibrations, and more. Within the somatosensory system, there are four main types of receptors: mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, pain receptors, and proprioceptors.

A touch receptor is considered rapidly adapting if it responds to a change in stimulus very quickly. Basically this means that it can sense right away when the skin is touching an object and when it stops touching that object. However, rapidly adapting receptors can't sense the continuation and duration of a stimulus touching the skin (how long the skin is touching an object).
This is why after about 4 or 5 seconds, we can't feel the couins on our skin. 

Appendages of the skin.

Work cited:

"Nose - Google Search." Nose - Google Search. Web. 18 Sept. 2015. <https://www.google.com/search?q=nose&rlz=1C1GGGE_enUS594US614&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMIp4uE17WByAIVwZQNCh3AuA8r&biw=1435&bih=744#tbm=isch&q=mucous glands in nose&imgrc=melaihEOHy_MQM:>.

 "Skin Cross Section - Google Search." Skin Cross Section - Google Search. Web. 18 Sept. 2015. <https://www.google.com/search?q=skin cross section&rlz=1C1GGGE_enUS594US614&espv=2&biw=1435&bih=744&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CBwQsARqFQoTCMGpirm8gcgCFQqPDQod_c8D9A#imgrc=OMUa_yxlDpIBzM:>. 

 "Sense of Touch." Skin & Sense of Touch. Home Science Tools. Web. 18 Sept. 2015. <http://www.hometrainingtools.com/a/skin-touch>. 

Week 3. The Microscope, Cells, and Organelles Lab.

Part 1 

 The microscope magnification.

                             Lens mag.                                Ocular mag.                    Total mag.
a. Scanning                4x                    multiplied by        10x                =                 40x

b. Low Power          10x                    multiplied by        10x               =                100x

c. High Power          40x                   multiplied by         10x                =               400x

d. Oil immersion    100x                   multiplied by         10x                =             1000x

Part 2

Virtual Microscope
                         
    ONION ROOT  

                        

4x

10x

40x

100x

Onion root, under magnification of 100x, has the visible cells with their nucleus (dark blue), cytoplasm (lighter blue substance surrounding the nucleus), and cell walls (which are better viewed at mag. 40x).

CHEEK CELLS SMEAR

4x

10x

40x

100x

In the cheek cell image, with mag. of 100x., I can see the nucleus, cytoplasm, and organelles (in the 40x mag. image.)

Answers to part 2 questions.

1. What structure separates the contents of the nucleus from the cytoplasm?

The double-layered membrane, called the nuclear membrane, separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm. 

2. What is the function of the nucleoli? Why is this important? 

The nucleoli are located in the body of the nucleus. As the nucleus is the "brain" of the cell, the nucleolus (numerous nucleoli) could loosely be thought of as the brain of the nucleus. The nucleolus takes up around 25% of the volume of the nucleus.This structure is made up of proteins and ribonucleic acids (RNA). Its main function is to rewrite ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and combine it with proteins. This results in the formation of incomplete ribosomes. It produces the energy.

3. Other than the nucleoplasm and the nucleoli, what are three other materials found in a nucleus?

The three materials that found in a nucleus, besides nucleoplasm and nucleoli, are DNA, RNA, and ribosomal proteins. 

Operating the Microscope.

4. Which objective should be in place when you start?

The smallest magnification objective should be in place when we start, usually it is the scanning one, with mag. of 4x.

5. Which focusing knob do you first use when you begin looking at a slide?

When we begin looking at a slide, we first use the coarse knob to focus on it. 

6. What do you adjust if you can see two overlapping circles with part of the object in each circle?

To eliminate the two overlapping circles when looking at the slide, we have to adjust the oculars by moving them from side to side, until the desired one circle, with proper focus. 

7. How do you move the slide on the stage?

To move the slide on the stage, we have to adjust the two "stage manipulator knobs" to reposition the slide one moves it left-right and the other  moves it up-down, closer to the center with the light. 

8. What two devices can be maneuvered to increase or decrease light intensity?

To increase or decrease the light intensity, we can maneuver the rheostat and/or iris diaphragm lever. 

9. What is the name of the highest magnifying objective?

The highest magnifying objective is called "oil immersion".

10. Which objective allows you to see the largest area of the object that you are viewing?

To view the largest area of the object, we have to use the scanning objective, the one with the magnification of 4x.  

Part 3

Functions of cells and organelles.

Procedure

1.  Pour 8 ounces tap water into each of two cups or glasses. Add 3 teaspoons salt to one of the cups and label it "Salt Water" with a piece of masking tape. Label the other cup "Fresh Water".
   
   
   
2.    Measure the length and greatest width of both pieces/carrots and record this measurement in Table 1 below.
   
   
   
   
   
3.    Tightly tie a piece of string around each carrot.
   
4.   Set one carrot/carrot piece down into the “Fresh Water” cup and the other down into the “Salt Water” cup.
   
5.  Take a photo of the two containers with their contents.
   
   
   
   
6.  Allow the carrots to sit in the cups for 24 hours.
7.  Ask yourself what will happen to both carrots in this experiment in terms of changes in length and diameter and why you think this will happen.  Record your predictions and rationale.

• I think that the carrot in the salt water solution will shrink slightly compared to the carrot in the fresh water. 
• Freshwater carrot will remain the same size because of the balanced concentration of the inside and the outside fluid. 

1. After 24 hours, remove the carrots and examine the tightness of the strings. Re-measure the carrots and record the findings in Table 1 below.

 Remove carrots from cups and take a photo next to each other outside of the containers.

 Record more observations.

a.       Note if there are any differences in the tightness of the strings and the textures for both carrots. Observe which type of water caused an increase in cell size.

b.      Observe which type of water caused a decrease in cell size.

c.       How did the actual results in the measurements compared to your predictions?

After taking it out of the water, the salt water carrot is visibly smaller and the string tied around it was loose. It also looks somewhat "wrinkled", or a better word would be shriveled. 
The salt water caused the carrot to decrease in its size. .
It looks like my prediction was true to the actual results. The carrot in the salt water did shrink and became smaller in size. 

Remember science does not prove anything to be true. Through experimentation, results can illustrate processes and these processes may be used to predict similar events in similar or different circumstances.

What is osmosis? Include these elements in your explanation:

Osmosis is the spontaneous net movement of solvent molecules through a semi-permeable membrane into a region of higher solute concentration, in the direction that tends to equalize the solute concentrations on the two sides. It may also be used to describe a physical process in which any solvent moves across a semipermeable membrane (permeable to the solvent, but not the solute) separating two solutions of different concentrations.

What is moving? Why?

When two different solutions have different molecular density concentrations, the diffusion occurs. 

The molecules with a higher concentration will be moving towards the area with the less concentration, to "balance" the solution's consistency. 

 What does not move? Why?

The molecules will not be moving if the concentration is neutral. Like adding water to water will "mix" the water molecules, but will not unbalance the total consistency.

 How is this important for the health of cells?

When cells encounter the undesirable substance (like a sodium), they will not only work very hard to maintain their inner balance but also will lose their intracellular fluid due to "overworking", which will result in the "shrinking" of the cell and in extreme cases, the complete destruction of it. (the cell will die)

Table 2. Starting and Ending Carrot Measurements

	Length at Start of 24 Hours	Length at End of 24 Hours	Width at Start of 24 Hours	Width at End of 24 Hours
Freshwater Carrot	2 inches	2 inches	.75 inch	.75 inch
Saltwater Carrot	2 inches	1.75 inch	.75 inch	.5 inch

Sources:

 "Function of Nucleolus." Function of Nucleolus. Web. 11 Sept. 2015.   <http://www.softschools.com/science/biology/function_of_nucleolus/>. 

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 14 Sept. 2015. 

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmosis>.

Week 2 Acid-Base and Molecules Lab

Part 1

Acids and Bases

Types of protein

a. ACTIN (skeletal and muscular component)

b. TUBULIN (cellular structure)

c. HEMOGLOBIN (transports oxygen)

d. KERATIN (structural support)

e. IMMUNOGLOBIN (immune system support)

f. ALBUMIN (development of the embryo)

g. MYOSIN ( muscular contraction)

Reaction with the acid. 

Let's look at the albumin.

Because it is a protein that responsible for a development of an embryo, my example for the purpose of visualization, will be an egg. Adding an acid to the protein, will break hydrogen bond between protein's molecules. With that breakage, the structure of the uniform protein becomes so disorganized, it will experience the process of denaturing. When we beat the liquid egg whites, we actually rearranging the structure of the protein and the result is a foamy,  new bond of protein. The disorganization of molecules also happens when we add an acid, Like a lemon. The restructured protein will lose its potency, and will become a separate structure from the original bond. The egg will begin to "cook", the color will change to white and the consistency will become harder. Heat also will restructure the original bond and will change the consistency of the protein.  Hard boiled egg anyone? 

Part 2

Molecule A

http://riversideonline.com/employees/myhealthylifestyle/newsletter/fructose-sucrose-glucose.cfm?&RenderForPrint=1 

1) Belongs to Sucrose group
2) Common term: table sugar

Molecule B

http://www.indiana.edu/~oso/Fat/SolidNLiquid.html

1) Belongs to Triglycerides group
2)Common term: Saturated fat, or animal fat, or commonly used and loved bacon fat.

Molecule C

http://thenaturalhistorian.com/2013/12/05/ancient-dna-creationism-genome-sequencing/

1) Belongs to Nucleic-Acid group
2) Common term: or as known as - DNA

Molecule D

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-testosterone

1) Belongs to Testosterone group

2) Common term: Male sex hormone.

Molecule E

http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Textbook_Maps/General_
Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Map%3A_Lower's_Chem1/07%3A_Solids_and_Liquids/7.3%3A_Hydrogen-Bonding_and_Water

1) Belongs to Proteins

2) Common term: beans, eggs, nuts

Sources

"Actin." Definition of in Biology. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.

       https://www.boundless.com/biology/definition/actin/

"Types and Functions of Proteins - Boundless Open Textbook." Boundless. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.        <https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-biology-textbook/biological-    macromolecules-3/proteins-56/types-and-functions-of-proteins-302-11435/>.

       https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-biology-textbook/biological-macromolecules-3/proteins-56/types-and-functions-of-proteins-302-11435/

 

"Sweet Things." Sweet Things. Web. 3 Sept. 2015. <http://riversideonline.com/employees/myhealthylifestyle/newsletter/fructose-sucrose-glucose.cfm?&RenderForPrint=1>. 

        http://riversideonline.com/employees/myhealthylifestyle/newsletter/fructose-sucrose-glucose.cfm?&RenderForPrint=1

"Sweet Things." Sweet Things. Web. 3 Sept. 2015. <http://riversideonline.com/employees/myhealthylifestyle/newsletter/fructose-sucrose-glucose.cfm?&RenderForPrint=1>.          
       http://www.indiana.edu/~oso/Fat/SolidNLiquid.html

"Sweet Things." Sweet Things. Web. 3 Sept. 2015. <http://riversideonline.com/employees/myhealthylifestyle/newsletter/fructose-sucrose-glucose.cfm?&RenderForPrint=1>.

        http://thenaturalhistorian.com/2013/12/05/ancient-dna-creationism-genome-sequencing/

"All about Testosterone: What You Need to Know about the King of Male Hormones. | Precision Nutrition." Precision Nutrition. 22 Feb. 2010. Web. 3 Sept. 2015. <http://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-testosterone>.

        http://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-testosterone

"7.3: Hydrogen-Bonding and Water." - Chemwiki. 2 Oct. 2013. Web. 3 Sept. 2015. <http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Textbook_Maps/General_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Map:_Lower's_Chem1/07:_Solids_and_Liquids/7.3:_Hydrogen-Bonding_and_Water>.

        http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Textbook_Maps/General_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Map%3A_Low's_Chem1/07%3A_Solids_and_Liquids/7.3%3A_Hydrogen-  Bonding_and_Water

 "7.3: Hydrogen-Bonding and Water." - Chemwiki. 2 Oct. 2013. Web. 3 Sept. 2015. <http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Textbook_Maps/General_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Map:_Lower's_Chem1/07:_Solids_and_Liquids/7.3:_Hydrogen-Bonding_and_Water>. 

       http://kitchenscience.sci-toys.com/protein 

Week 1. The Cube Lab

Week 1.

The Cube Lab.

We have a cube, 5 sides of the cube have names, numbers, and corresponding colors on them. The bottom side is a mystery one and we have to analyze it. We have to come to a scientific explanation of what possibly can be located on that "unknown" side.

I have to record at least ten observations (data collection) about visible sides of the cube.

1) There are five surfaces available for viewing,

2) Four surfaces are on the side of the cube and one on the top.

3) Each surface contains names, numbers and have a distinct color.

4) Two opposite sides have the same blue color and the other two opposite sides have  a white- speckled color.

5) The top of the cube is a red color.

6) The blue sides contain names that begin with a letter  R. They are Rob on one side and Roberta on the other. One is a male name and the other one is female.

7) The white- speckled sides contain names that begin with a letter A. They are Alfred on one side and Alma on the other. Again, these are male and female names.

8) The red top contains a male name, Frank.

9) All surfaces contain a pair of random numbers. One of the numbers is in the lower left corner, (LLC) and the other number is in the upper right corner (URC)

10) Blue side with a name Rob  has number 3 in the LLC and number 3 in the URC; side with a name Roberta, has 3 in LLC and 7 in the URC.

11) White- speckled side with the name Alfred, has 2 in LLC and 6 in the URC: the other side, with the name Alma, has 2 in LLC and 4 in URC.

12) The red top with a name Frank has 4 in LLC and 5 in its URC.


Now I can formulate a working hypothesis about our "mystery" bottom side.

I suspect, that a name on the bottom side of our cube is Francine, the color of that side predicted to be red, and the numbers in each of the corners are 4 in the LLC and 8 in the URC. 


Next, I try to convince you  that my working hypothesis is based on the collected data.  (Not on my feelings or hunches).

I conclude that on the bottom of the observed cube there is a name Francine, the color of the side is red, and the two numbers are: 4 in the lower left corner and 8 in the upper right one,

Based on careful inspection of the other, available sides of the cube, I have  found a pattern.

This pattern revealed that on an opposing side of the known TOP, we must have a female name (supported by observations 6 and 7), which begins with a letter F (6, 7 12), hence we have Francine.

The numbers also have provided me with clues. they are following a pattern with the correlation of numbers in the LLC and in the URC. In the LLC, all the number appear to be the same on the opposite sides (10, 11). This gives us the 4 for the LLC of the bottom to match the top's 4(12). URC follow an undeniable sequence. beginning with a 3 and ending with 7 (10, 11, 12). If I  identify this sequence, I will have 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. This gives us the number 8 to be located in the URC (10, 11, 12).

Because every pair of the opposing sides matching in their colors, I can safely say that the bottom has to be a red color (4, 5, 6,12).

This conclusion have been based on available data collected by careful observation of patterns on the cube and by application of common sense.

I also have to add, that any female name wich begins with a letter F could apply (Francesca, Francis, Francine).  The sequence of the numbers could have been shifted to the left and the URC number can be 2 instead of 8. This could give us 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.  And not 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Welcome to my Human Biology blog, Fall 2015 at Yavapai College

I am so excited to begin a new journey into the world of Human Biology with my guide,

 Joanne Oellers. 

Looks like this class will be packed with new information!

I welcome you to my blog and invite you to join me in an exploration of this field.