Charles Darwin; Evolution

Charles Darwin was a very creative thinker. He saw many things, animals, organisms in a different light than others' did. He had a very intricate mind that allowed him to think outside of the ordinary. He did so in the mid 1800's causing a huge controversy and ultimately changing science as we know it. Darwin's theory explained what is known as natural selection. It is a theory of a process that occurs as time progresses defining a difference in reproduction of animals, etc. Natural Selection highlights the struggles animals and other living organisms have for survival in life and reproduction. It is obvious that only those organisms who exhibit certain traits will be good candidates for survival. Those with good traits leads to evolution. Evolution occurs when inherited traits alter from past generations to future generations. Darwin traveled to many different places and attempted to better his theory so that others would be able to understand what he saw. It wasn't until his trip to the Galapagos Islands where he fully developed his theory. While there, he sought numerous differences with plants and animals. Some of the animals include finches and turtles. He found that animals or plants that were best suited for their environment had better chances of survival and than of course reproduction. He perfected his theory and than published a book entitled On the Origin or Species by Means of Natural Selection."

Mini-Project 4

...Genetically Altered Foods found in a Grocery Store Near You....

TOMATOES


*In 1994, FDA approved sales of a variety of genetically engineered tomatoes.

*Familiar companies like Heinz, Campbell, and Lipton have all accepted usage of genetically engineered tomatoes to add into their own products.

*These tomatoes can be purchased seedless, cherry, green, and in a variety of other flavors.

PICTURE TAKEN FROM --> http://www.keepmainefree.org/images/tomatoe_fins.jpg

POTATOES

*Companies like Frito-Lay & McDonald's were the first companies to use genetically engineered potatoes for sale to society.

*This was back in 1996.Due to complaints, they have chosen to remove the genetically engineered vegetable off the market.

*However, these vegetables are still being both grown and sold throughout the United States.

PICTURE TAKEN FROM -->http://www.dw-world.de/image/0,,1315875_1,00.jpg

CORN

*Genetically engineered corn has been approved for growth and distribution in the United States since 1995.

*They have created a diversity of types of corn, such as popcorn and sweetcorn.

*Findings in 2001, raised controversies about FDA's approval to sell the corn in supermarkets, because of the substance Starlink.

*Starlink was never approved for human consumption. However, they have found no evidence of negative-side effects for humans, as yet!

*In 2001, this controversy led to over 300,000 supermarkets nationwide to removal of the genetically engineered corn.

PICTURE TAKEN FROM -->http://foodhazard.com/uploads/Image/Corn.jpg

SOYBEANS

*Genetically altered soybeans are not sold separately in stores, but are sold in a variety of everyday cooking materials.

*This can range from soybean oil, soy milk, soy sauce, to Tofu.

FISH

*Fishes such as Salmon, Trout, and Tilapia can all be purchased genetically altered.

*The fishes have been genetically altered so that they may grow faster with less amounts of food, and die faster.

Mini-Project 3

Endangered Species in Florida

Mammal
The Manatee lives typically where sea grasses thrive. They typically grow between nine and ten feet in length. The largest reported manatee was thirteen feet. Manatees usually weigh around 1,000 pounds. They mainly eat plants, classifying them as vegetarians. Unfortunately, as heavy as they are in weight, they have become an endangered specie due to inattentive operators of boats.

Reptile
The Leatherback turtle is one of the largest turtles in the universe. It is the most pelagic of all turtles. This means that the Leatherback turtle is capable and usually lives in open oceans. Because, of human interest these animals are taken from their own communities in homosapiens. Humans use these turtles for purposes ranging from breeding to the containment in zoos.

Bird
The Scrubjay is a very unique bird in many ways. They are typically found in areas that have mass numbers of trees. Unfortunately, in Florida's heat and with our large numbers of trees in the west, brush fires occur. Many of the Scrubjays have died as a result of this.

Plant
The Tropical Hardwood Hammack is one of many trees that provides a safe and healthy environment for a diverse amount of of wildlife. They also become homes to those birds who are in the process of migration. Due to the thousands of people that move to Florida annually, unfortunately these trees are cut down to make homes.

Mini- Project 2

Picture Taken From:

Campbell, N. & Reece, J. (2005). Biology: AP Edition. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.

3 Ways Carbon Dioxide is Released into the Air

1)Burning of fossil fuels and wood (burning anything pretty much) leads to Co2 (Carbon Dioxide) in the atmosphere

2)Decomposition (dead organisms breaking down/decaying) leads to Co2 (Carbon Dioxide) in the atmosphere

3)NOT JUST WE AS HUMANS, but all animals as well, take in oxygen and exhale carbon dixiode.

This process is known as cellular respiration. To counteract this effect, plants use Carbon Dioxide to make food for themselves in the process of Photosynthesis. They produce oxygen for living organisms to breathe. A problem that we face is that we are burning an inordinant amount of fossil fuels, and the planet is so overpopulated that we are producing a great amount of carbon dioxide. At the same time we are cutting down more trees than ever before, including the Rainforest. As carbon dioxide builds up in the air it depletes our ozone layer and we are exposed to the suns harmful UV rays. Additionally this leads to global warming.

Mini-Project 1

The Natural Resources Defense Council has over one million members. Of these members, a couple hundred are lawyers. Some are scientists and others, professionals. Some are everyday citizens/residents like many of us, who decided to finally take a stand in a far from selfish act, to preserve another form of nature's living environment. The National Resource Defense Council takes this stand and an oath of protecting the earth. In their mission statement, they advise readers, "The National Resource Defense Council's purpose is to safeguard the earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends" (National Resources Defense Council [NRDC], n.d.).

Their main goal is to protect the environment through additions of laws. They also fight for amendments in pre-existing laws. This grants protection of the environment in this generation and generations to come.

The Natural Resources Defense Council works in a variety of ways to combat a variety of issues that our environment faces. Their attempts have not been wasted. In fact, they have succeeded in many ways. Currently, the Natural Resources Defense Council has six important priorities: 1) Curbing Global Warming 2) Moving America Beyond Oil 3) Saving Wildlands Across the Americas 4) Reviving our Oceans 5) Stemming the Tide of Toxic Chemical 6) Speeding the Greening of China.

The Natural Resources Defense Council is devoted to not just taking a stand on one issue that affects both human life, and nature, but, taking a stand for six different issues that our environment faces. They also take a stand in adapting laws that will help lessen their issues. Without organizations like these, issues will only worsen with the progression of time. Ultimately, survival for all living organisms will be much more difficult. The Natural Resources Defense Council combats a diversity of issues and it is no wonder why The New York Times calls them "one of the nation's most powerful environmental groups", and I would be greatly honored to join this organization (National Resources Defense Council [NRDC], n.d.).

REFERENCES:
National Resources Defense Council.(n.d.) Retrieved August 30, 2008, from http://www.nrdc.org