Diffusion Lab

To demonstrate how diffusion works in a cell, we did an experiment with iodine and starch. In the experiment, we put a spoonful of starch and a small amount of water into a plastic baggie. Then, we filled a beaker halfway up with water. Lastly, we poured some iodine into the beaker and placed the starch baggie into the beaker. To finish the experiment, we had to let the baggie sit in the beaker for at least fifteen minutes.

After fifteen minutes, the starch in the bag was supposed to turn purple. This is because of diffusion. Diffusion is the term used to describe the process of molecules moving form an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. In the lab, the plastic baggie was selectively permeable. Selectively permeable means that only certain things can go in and out. Since the plastic baggie was selectively permeable, the iodine molecules were able to go through the bag and spread into the starch. Once starch and iodine mix, they become purple. This is supposed to happen. However, in our lab the iodine molecules were not small enough to go through the baggie.

This experiment is a demonstration of what happens to cells. The plastic baggie represents the cell membrane. The starch represents the cell and the iodine represents things outside the cell. Our cell membrane is selectively permeable. This way only certain things can go into and out of the cell. For example, the cell allows water to come in and allows waste product to go out. However, it doesn't allow the organelles to go out or waste to come in.

Picture Source:

http://missbzscience.wikispaces.com/4b)+Diffusion+%26+Osmosis

A Paralyzed Man Can Now Walk

After a brutal car accident in 2006, Rob Summer was paralyzed chest down. After the accident Summers was given two years of therapy to gain movement in his legs. After all this, he still wasn’t able to even move his toe.

Then, in 2009 Summers was given a surgery where the doctors placed a device that would electrically provoke the lower spine. The device is supposed to copy the signal that usually comes from the brain. Right when the indication is given to the spine, the patient tries to do something with his legs. In this case, he would attempt to stand up without help. When Summers wants to move his legs, the nerves in the spinal cord work to control the muscle movement. All of this happens without the brain’s contribution.

After a while, however, the brain was able to make some sort of connection with the legs. When Summers wants to move his legs or arms voluntarily, the brain actually gets an input. Researchers aren’t truly sure how this even happened. However, the believe that the electrical stimulation must of turned on the nerve circuits that weren’t damaged by the accident. Another theory they have is that the electrical stimulation created new connections with the injured nerves.

I find this article to be very interesting. It is definitely a medical breakthrough. The fact that a man who couldn’t even move a toe for four years can now walk, is truly amazing. Additionally, through this, scientist learned much more. They learned that even if you are totally paralyzed, there is still some nerve activity. This information is crucial to know if you are treating paralyzed patients. One day, everyone will be able to walk.

Source:

http://www.livescience.com/14245-paralyzed-man-spinal-cord-injury-walks-electrical-stimulation-therapy.html

A Possible New Lung Stem Cell

After a recent study, scientist may have found a stem cell in the human lung. The stem cell found was capable of making a large amount of the organ’s tissue. To find out if the cell is really a stem cell, scientists tested it out on mice. They punctured the lungs of twenty-nine mice. Then, they injected the six doses of twenty thousand cells into the mice. Within the next ten to fourteen days, the cells that were injected created new airways, blood vessels, and air sacs in all of the mice. This showed a huge difference. The stem cells produced millions of new cells in a very short time. With this new discovery, scientists may be able treat deadly lung diseases, such as emphysema. It may also be able to treat pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure in lungs’ arteries. Another way stem cells could be used is to help the lung recover after lung cancer surgery. However, scientists are not sure on whether the lung stem cell could help with asthma.

I find this to be a remarkable discovery that will change the face of medicine. Finally, we may have found a cure for fatal diseases like emphysema. This disease kills thousands of people every year. To have a cure for it is amazing. Although scientists aren’t sure on what diseases it will cure, it is up to our generations to find out. The stem cell discovery shows that technology is drastically improving. With this discovery, emphysema and other lung diseases will soon be a joke.

Sources:

Article and Picture:

http://healthland.time.com/2011/05/13/scientists-identify-possible-human-lung-stem-cell/

One of a Kind Whale

A few countries in the world-such as Norway, Greenland, and Japan- still allow whaling. However, in Norway, when a whale is hunted and is used in a whale product, it has to be given a DNA analyses to determine if the product comes from a legal source. When a geneticist named Kevin Glover was looking at a whale DNA, he was shocked. This DNA showed proof of a hybrid. The whale was a cross between a Northern Minke and an Antarctic Minke.

The only time the whales can meet is wen they are migrating. Both of the whales go down south during winter. However, a Northern Minke and an Antarctic Minke live on separate Hemispheres. so the chance of them meeting is slim to none.

This discovery by Kevin Glover has changed science. It shows that these whales might be migrating at different time. When I learned that the whales migrate at different times, i was surprised that an offspring of a Northern Minke and an Antarctic Minke could be born. I believe that this whale mix is the beginning of a new species.

Article and Picture source:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/01/110125-whales-hybrids-antarctica-arctic-science-animals/

New way to Diet: Imaginary Food?

Recently, scientists dicovered a new way to diet. Most people believe that when you diet, you shoud not think of chocolate or any other unhealthy foods. Well for those people, science has proved you wrong. Through hours of studying, scientists have come up with the most unbleievable technique. If you imagine a specific food, you loose your interest in it, causing you to eat less of it. However, this technique only works with the specific food you are imagining. For instance, if you are imaginig chocolate, that won't stop you from scarfing down a family-sized bag of potato chips. Being exposed to food repeatedly is called habituation. This habituation gives a signal to your brain that gives you have the feeling of a full stomach. Therefore, you end up eating less of it.

I think this article is important because it shows a new way for people to eat healthy. Many people in the U.S. are obese. Being obese, gives you a higher chance of Type Two Diabetes, Heart Disease, and strokes. Not only can this technique be helpful to people looking forward to control overeating, it also might be helpful to people with drug addictions. This technique may be the key to a happier, longer, and healthier lifetime.

Sources (Picture and Article are from the same page) :

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/12/101209-chocolate-obesity-science-mind-diet-weight-loss-eat-food/

MY Website on the Estauries of New Jersey

This is the website:

savetheestuaries.weebly.com

Parasitism

The picture to the left of this page is considered parasitism. Parasitism is when one organism lives on or in an organism, harming it. For example, if there is a tick on you, it will drink blood from your body. The tick benefits because it gets its food. However, you are harmed because it takes away some of your blood. In this case, it would be a parasite that ate part of a plant's leaves. We may not know what the parasite is, but we do know that fed on this plant. It benefited by getting food and energy. The plant is harmed because the parasite at some of the plants leaves and left it with a smaller amount of food.

Treasure, if you have post that I posted this today, I didn't, I just fixed something today.