Understand the biology of a fish and how the fish functions, be able to explain a unique adaptation that fish has to help its survival/reproduction/feeding, and be able to summarize information to create an infographic.

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Pufferfish

Assignment 6: Unique fish adaptations

Upload to Blackboard by 11:59pm, Friday March 25, 2022.  As per your syllabus- you have a 2-day grace period in which to hand this in with no penalty, however it will not be accepted at all after 11:59pm, Sunday March 27, 2022.

Learning objectives: After completing this assignment, the student will (1) understand the biology of a fish and how the fish functions, (2) be able to explain a unique adaptation that fish has to help its survival/reproduction/feeding, and (3) be able to summarize information to create an infographic.

Assignment:

Fish have a host of adaptations that allow for survival in various zones of the ocean.  These adaptations increase survival and reproduction of the species, thus being favored by natural selection and being passed on each generation.

You need to choose a single species of fish.  Any fish (cartilaginous or bony fish, as we discussed in class) is acceptable.  Research your fish (use scientific, reputable sources!) and summarize the information you find into a concise, visual infographic.  An infographic is a single poster/slide of the information you find. It should contain lots of pictures and just a few bullet points summarizing the information.

Make sure to include in your infographic:

  • Name of fish (scientific and common name)
  • Where fish lives/ type of lifestyle (i.e., predator, reef dweller, pelagic swimmer, etc)
  • Adaptation
  • What adaptation is used for
  • How adaptation helps fish to survive and reproduce

Include at the bottom of your infographic any references you used (use proper citations), this includes any books, websites, journal articles, class notes, etc.

Explain as much as possible about your organism, including (but not limited to) where the organism is found, any unique anatomical features and adaptations, its evolutionary history (phylogeny), and how the abiotic factor you chose can affect the physiology of the organism.

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Gastropoda

The focus of the presentation and paper is to give a brief description of the specific organism (species, or if you need to, genus) and how an abiotic factors of the ocean that may influence the physiology of this organism. You need to choose one species and one abiotic factor (i.e., oysters and ocean acidification) and can discuss many impacts on the organism’s physiology (i.e., changes in reproduction, growth, mortality, behavior, etc).

This is a 1-2 page, double spaced, 12 point font (with normal margins) paper that will serve as the backbone of this project. You should explain as much as possible about your organism, including (but not limited to) where the organism is found, any unique anatomical features and adaptations, its evolutionary history (phylogeny), and how the abiotic factor you chose can affect the physiology of the organism. Abiotic factors could include temperature, salinity, sunlight, oxygen and nutrients, currents and waves, and pollution. Physiological effects could include changes in reproduction, growth, digestion, predation/mutualism, and survivorship.

Describe the steps of the T-cell mediated immune response. Begin from an antigen entering the body. Be sure to mention and describe T-cell activation, T helper cells, MHC receptors, Cytotoxic T-cells and their roles in this immune response. Describe the steps of the B-cell immune response leading to humoral immunity. Begin from an antigen entering the body. Be sure to mention and describe B-cell activation, memory B cells, MHC receptors, plasma cells and their roles in this immune response.

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Short answer

31. In lecture, we discussed 5 ways that antibodies interact with antigens to inhibit to destroy them. List the 5 ways antibodies interact with antigens and describe how each way works to inhibit or destroy the antigen they bind to. (Suggested word count: 50-150 words or less).

32. This question has two parts. Each part should be 50-150 words.

Part A: (3pts)
First, describe the difference between disinfection and sterilization. Then answer: Is disinfecting something the same as sterilizing it? Why or why not? Take into account the techniques used in each and the level of microbial control achieved.

Part B: (2pts)
Is boiling water considered a method of disinfection or sterilization?

33. List and describe each of the 5 classes of immunoglobulins. Be sure to mention their biological functions. Also mention which immunoglobulins can be passed from mother to baby (either through the placenta and/or through breastfeeding). (50-200 words).

34. This question has two parts. Each part should be 100-200 words.

Part A: (5pts)
Describe the steps of the T-cell mediated immune response. Begin from an antigen entering the body. Be sure to mention and describe T-cell activation, T helper cells, MHC receptors, Cytotoxic T-cells and their roles in this immune response.

Part B: (5pts)
Describe the steps of the B-cell immune response leading to humoral immunity. Begin from an antigen entering the body. Be sure to mention and describe B-cell activation, memory B cells, MHC receptors, plasma cells and their roles in this immune response.

36. Explain how an mRNA vaccine works to elicit an immune response from our bodies that will lead to longer-lasting immunity. In your answer, be sure to mention: the components of the vaccine (how is the mRNA delivered to our cells?), how does the mRNA trigger an immune response from our immune cells and how do our immune cells respond to it.

(Hint: Remember that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines). (Suggested word count: 100-150 words).

37. This question has both a part A and a Part B. Be sure you address both parts.

Part A: A friend of yours refuses to get the flu shot because he says his aunt once got the flu the day after receiving the shot. He says this must mean his aunt got the flu from the flu shot. How would you explain to him that this is not possible? Please be sure to mention the components of the vaccine, possible side effects, and why people can still get the flu shortly after receiving the vaccine. (100-150 words or less)

Part B: Your friend is still not fully convinced. He suddenly says he remembers getting a flu shot once years ago when he was younger. He says this means he is still immune and doesn’t need to get another one. How would you explain to him that we need to get annual flu shots? (50-100 words or less).

39. Be sure to address each part of the question. (Suggested word count for each answer 25-50 words).
1. What are pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)? Are they specific to a single type of cell?
2.Give an example of a PAMP.
3. How do our white blood cells recognize PAMPs and how do our white blood cells react to PAMPs?

42. Explain why the anti-microbic, chloramphenicol can potentially be very toxic to human beings. Be sure to describe chloramphenicol’s mode of action in your answer. (Suggested word count: 50-75 words).

43. These question has a Part A and a Part B. Be sure you answer both parts. (Suggested word count for each answer: 50-75 words):

Part A: (2.5pts)
What is meant by prophylactic drug treatment and what are its purposes?

Part B: (2.5pts)
Why would someone be prescribed more than one type of antimicrobic at a time to treat an illness?

47. Describe how SARS-CoV-2’s specificity for the ACE2 receptors contributes to the harmful effects on the body, especially the lungs, seen in COVID-19. Be sure to mention ACE, ACE2, Ang I, Ang II, Ang 1-7 and how they all relate to each other. (100-150 words or less)

55. Why is cell-mediated immunity called cell-mediated immunity? Why is humoral immunity called humoral immunity? (Suggested word count: 25-50 words).

62. Consider the following sentence:
“Before the knee surgery, the patient’s leg was sterilized with alcohol”.
What is wrong with the meaning of this sentence? What would be the correct way to word this sentence? (Suggested word count: 25 words).

Choose a side and defend your position. Compose a thread that takes the side of either the National Academy of Sciences, which supports human gene editing, or historian of science Nathaniel Comfort, who rejects human gene editing. Give evidence to support your position.

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DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

The student will post one thread of at least 300 words. For each thread, students must support their assertions with at least 1 scholarly citation in APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include the textbook, the Bible, science journals, and websites.

Gene editing methods have been around for years but involved cumbersome mechanisms. In 2015 the CRISPR gene editing system has made this method easy to do. One Chinese researcher has modified human embryos so that they are not susceptible to HIV. His work was condemned by the international scientific society.
In this assignment, you will be asked to choose a side and defend your position. Compose a thread that takes the side of either the National Academy of Sciences, which supports human gene editing, or historian of science Nathaniel Comfort, who rejects human gene editing. Give evidence to support your position.

Research and discuss the correlation between sickle cell anemia and resistance to malaria. What is your opinion on the bad mutation of sickle cell anemia, write a little about the neutral mutation as well.

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Correlation between sickle cell anemia and resistance to malaria

Research and discuss the correlation between sickle cell anemia and resistance to malaria. What is your opinion on the bad mutation of sickle cell anemia, write a little about the neutral mutation as well.

What is the problem/question being studied? What is the hypothesis? What is the experimental variable? List the controls. What is being measured to test the hypothesis?

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First Paper

Directions: Answers should be double spaced; 11-12 font size; standard margins. Proper grammar and paragraph format is expected. All answers should be written in complete sentences.

A recent clinical study demonstrated a possible connection between coffee consumption and heart health. The researchers performed a 6-week trial with 191 individuals, all of whom were heavy coffee drinkers (average of 5 cups/day) before the experiment, but none of whom were smokers. They divided the 191 participants into three groups: no coffee consumption, 1-3 cups/day, and four or more cups/day. They measured blood levels of cholesterol and homocysteine as indicators of heart health. Only the no-coffee group showed a significant drop in both indicators. Previous studies had demonstrated that decreases of the magnitude observed in the no-coffee group could cut the incidence of heart disease by 10-15%.

a) What is the problem/question being studied?

b) What is the hypothesis?

c) What is the experimental variable?

d) List the controls.

e) What is being measured to test the hypothesis?

What vaccine-preventable disease often leaves people with physical deformities? What are the symptoms of Rotavirus? What would you say to a parent who argues 1) vaccines aren’t necessary since infectious diseases aren’t as common as they once were? Or 2)“there’s no more polio in the US, why do we need the vaccine?”

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Frontline-The Vaccine War by PBS

Video title: FRONTLINE | The Vaccine War | PBS

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPOrnU3ImxI

 

  1. What vaccine-preventable disease often leaves people with physical deformities?
  2. What are the symptoms of Rotavirus?
  3. What would you say to a parent who argues 1) vaccines aren’t necessary since infectious diseases aren’t as common as they once were? Or  2)“there’s no more polio in the US, why do we need the vaccine?”
  4. Andrew Wakefield suggested the MMR leads to autism. What mechanism did he suggest links the vaccine to autism?
  5. Autism is often diagnosed around the same time as children receive their MMR. Does this mean the MMR is the cause of autism?
  6. Thiomersal was reduced or eliminated from vaccines beginning in what year?
  7. Scientists have done epidemiological studies to determine if there is a link between vaccines (primarily MMR) and autism. What did they find?
  8. What does the SEED study aim to determine?
  9. What is herd immunity?

Provide details on the disease, the factors that affect this disease and the health care/public health challenges associated with this disease.

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[Revision] A Literature Review of COVID-19

An academic essay which reviews current published literature on either:

  • COVID-19.
  • OR a topic of your choice?

It will provide details on the disease, the factors that affect this disease and the health care/public health challenges associated with this disease. (2000 words +/- 10%)

This is an academic essay and as such must be correctly researched and referenced.

The following areas need to be considered:

  • Presentation including grammatical style and spelling.
  • Citation and referencing using appropriate referencing system (Harvard).
  • Word Count 2000 words (+/-10%)
  • Appropriate introduction.
  • Work must contain references for academic journal articles.
  • Epidemiology (R values) and Aetiology for disease.
  • Factors that affect this disease.
  • Treatment and interventions.
  • Public Health/healthcare challenges associated with the disease.
  • Appropriate conclusion.

In light of this, are there any current cancer therapies targeting actin regulation?

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In light of this, are there any current cancer therapies targeting actin regulation?

There is a 300-word cap on this part( must bee 300 or less words); references do not count toward this word limit. Posts that demonstrate quality, clarity, depth, & focus will be more positively evaluated than posts that are shy on these key elements.

In terms of tumor progression, cells undergo stiffening just prior to becoming malignant, capable of uncontrolled growth and migration. Recent studies indicate that cell stiffening plays a role in promoting proliferation or metastatic growth, which is subsequently followed by stress fiber disassembly to allow cell migration. This transition was found to coincide with the change in the levels of activity of downstream elements of the signaling pathway, such as the kinase Src, that regulate changes in the actin cytoskeleton. As shown in the attached figure below, low Src activity promotes stress fiber assembly leading to cell stiffening, whereas high Src activity has the opposite effect allowing for cell migration.

 

Complete the lab report based on a physical lab that has already been completed. Why are our hands such a rich environment for microbes?

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Hand washing

You will complete the lab report based on a physical lab that has already been completed. You do not need to purchase the supply list in the instructions. You will answer the lab questions based on the pictures provided.

For this lab, you will write a lab report on the report form. Note: you are REQUIRED to use this report form and enter your responses on the form in the appropriate location (after the indented a or b below the topic or question). A zero score will be entered for submissions that do not use the required report form and/or do not follow the directions.

Our skin is the first line of nonspecific immune defense. There are several forms of protection, such as lysosomes in our sweat and the natural biome on our skin. This lab focuses on our hands because we use our hands to touch objects. The microbes on the objects we touch are then introduced into our bodies by rubbing our eyes, licking fingers, rubbing or picking our nose, or through a cut in the skin. People are encouraged to wash their hands regularly to decrease the transmission of microbes from our hands.

Why are our hands such a rich environment for microbes? First, there is the structure of our skin. The outer layer, stratum corneum, is made up of dead cells. Microbes live off of the dead skin cells. The lower layers of the skin keep the microbes from entering the body.

When we consider the types of microbes on our skin, it is important to recognize there are the bacteria that normally live on your skin and the bacteria you encounter as you go through your day. The first are called resident bacteria. The bacteria you encounter throughout life that are not part of your skin’s normal microbiome are called transient bacteria. Transient bacteria are the ones you pick up as you move through the day, such as touching surfaces at different businesses you visit (e.g., door handles, tables or counters, restroom handles, etc.) and shaking hands with others. The transient bacteria are easily removed from the skin by washing hands. The resident bacteria live in deeper layers of the skin, so they are not as easily removed.

The resident bacteria do serve a purpose. They help kill off transient bacteria because they produce bacteriocins. That said, the resident bacteria can become problematic if the person has immune issues. People who have acute or chronic conditions are at greater risk for bacterial infections from the resident bacteria because their immune system is working hard to fight the other infections.

In this lab, you will learn about the importance of handwashing in controlling the amount and type of bacteria on the hands.

Materials used in the lab:

  • Seven petri dishes with nutrient agar
  • Distilled water
  • Tap water
  • Antibacterial gel
  • Hand soap
  • Paper towels
  • Hand towel – clean
  • Hand towel – used several days

Methods:

The petri dishes are marked 1 through 7 to align with the following:

  • Dirty hands
  • Rinsed with tap water
  • Antibacterial gel
  • Hand soap, no drying
  • Hand soap, dried with paper towels
  • Hand soap, dried with a hand towel used four days
  • Hand soap, dried with a clean hand towel

The following steps were taken by the experimenter. Images of the resulting plates after incubation are below.

A small amount of distilled water is poured on participant’s hands. Participant rubs hands together to spread the distilled water over the hands and between the fingers. Researcher uses a sterile swab to collect sample from the palm and back of hands, and between the fingers.

Participant rinses hands while rubbing them together using tap water. Researcher uses a sterile swab to collect sample from the palm and back of hands, and between the fingers.
Researcher sprays antibacterial gel on participant’s hands. Participant rubs hands together to spread the antibacterial gel over the hands and between the fingers. Researcher uses a sterile swab to collect sample from the palm and back of hands, and between the fingers.

Participant washes hands using soap and tap water. The participant does not dry his hands. Researcher uses a sterile swab to collect sample from the palm and back of hands, and between the fingers.

Participant washes hands using soap and tap water. He dries his hands with paper towels. A small amount of distilled water is poured onto his hands after drying and participant rubs the distilled water over the hands. Researcher uses a sterile swab to collect sample from the palm and back of hands, and between the fingers.

Participant washes hands using soap and tap water. He dries his hands with a clean cloth hand towel stored in a kitchen drawer. A small amount of distilled water is poured onto his hands after drying and participant rubs the distilled water over the hands. Researcher uses a sterile swab to collect sample from the palm and back of hands, and between the fingers.

Participant washes hands using soap and tap water. He dries his hands with cloth hand towel that has been used four days. A small amount of distilled water is poured onto his hands after drying and participant rubs the distilled water over the hands. Researcher uses a sterile swab to collect sample from the palm and back of hands, and between the fingers.

Research closes the plates and incubates them for five days until growth appears.
Images of the incubated petri dishes are in the lab report.

Complete the lab report and submit to the classroom via the SUBMIT button in the upper right corner on this page. When completed, your lab report must be a minimum of four pages. Any researched details must be identified correctly in APA 7th edition format (Links to an external site.) using citations and references.