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=Boricua Science Class Student Work Space=

Student Name:
Maria Benenati

End of Term Reflection
Here are some of the activities we did in class this term: Harper's Magazine ("Boots on the Ice"), Hurricane Evacuation Plan, Designer Babies (GATACA), Genetic Diseases, Evolution Movies/Research, NYT Science Reviews, Punnett Squares, Chemical Bond Diagrams, The Periodic Table, The Birth and Death of Stars

Some of the activities that I enjoyed and learned the most from were the New York Times Science Reviews, Designer Babies, and the Punnett Squares. Some of the activities that I found the most difficult to understand were the Chemical Bond Diagrams and the Genetic Diseases. Computer Class = Maybe a few more classes in the computer lab. Videos = More videos would be helpful. Student Group Activities = There were enough group activites. Evaluations = I think the evaluations were fair and timely. I enjoyed the class and learned quite a bit. I did struggle with the chemistry part of the course and had to study more than usual in order to master it. The part I liked the least were the Do-Now's at the beginning of the class, but I do understand why it was done.
 * What 2-3 activities did you enjoy/learn the most?
 * What 2-3 activities topic did you find the most difficult to understand?
 * Describe how could we improve this course in the future
 * Explain why you enjoyed, or why you struggled through, this class, offering whatever insights you may feel are valuable:

Name of Disease
cholesteryl ester storage disease

Symptoms

 * 1) The liver will become affected and enlarged.
 * 2) Possibility of developing chronic liver disease.
 * 3) Increased chances of heart attack or stroke due to blockage in the arteries.

Genes

 * 1) Lipase A, lysosomal acid cholesterol esterase - LIPA

Cytogenetic Location
10q23.2 - q23.3

Base Pair Sites
90,963,308 to 91,001,639

Community
Middle Village

Evacuation Center

 * 1) Location - Christ the King High School
 * 2) Implemented Plan – Unknown

Your Evacuation Plan
Hurricanes are very strong storms that can cause a great deal of damage. Most hurricanes hit the state of Florida, but a few of them have made it up the coast to New York City. The city has been divided into zones in order to show its citizens if they should evacuate before a hurricane arrives. I do not live in an evacuation zone. My closest evacuation center is Christ the King Regional High School. It is so close to my house that I could walk there. If I needed to leave and I couldn't drive, I would take the M train to Manhattan. I would then proceed to take Metro North to Westchester, where my aunt would be waiting for us. If I would be able to drive, I would take my car and using the side streets try to reach the Whitestone Bridge which would take me to Westchester. I would meet my husband and my son at my aunt's house. Her home would be our meeting place. They would have to take public transportation there. If everyone was able to make it home, we would all leave together. We would take a go bag and emergency kit that would include: 1) copies of important documents 2) extra house and car keys 3) cash (at least $200) and copies of bank statements, credit cards and ATM cards 4) bottled water (one gallon per person, per day) 5) non perishables such as granola bars and canned foods (manual can opener) 6) flashlight and batteries 7) AM/FM radio and batteries 8) all medications and doctors names 9) first aid kit (band-aids, bacitracin, tylenol, rubbing alcohol, bandages, gauze, iodine, plastic gloves, ace bandages) 10) copy of contact and meeting place for all family members as well as a map I contacted Christ the King High School but the person in charge of the evacuation plan hasn't returned my phone call. No one could tell me if a plan has been set up.

#1
The Gulf Coast of the United States is eroding at a fast pace. Geologists have determined that the storms that have occurred the past three years have destroyed several islands that run west into the state of Louisiana. But nature is not the only culprit. Federal dredging projects are partly responsible for taking away much of the sand. Some of the islands effected by the erosion are Ship island and the Chandeleur islands. Ship island is a small uninhabited island. The Chandeluer islands are also uninhabited but they are a barrier chain that serve many purposes. They serve as storm protection for the mainland as well as a nesting place for brown pelicans and many other bird species. What's alarming the geologists most is the rate of this erosion. The prospect for these islands the next five to ten years is gloomy. Geologists will be reevaluating the data and try to determine what can be done to rebuild these islands. Dean, Cornelia; “After Hurricane Ike, Finding the Coastline Rearranged, Again.” (09/23/08); New York Times, Page F3. The reason I chose this article is because I'm concerned about the damage most hurricanes have caused to coastlines and cities. The storms that have developed in the past three years have been intense and have caused a lot of damage, especially in the Gulf Coast. The amount of damage that has occurred in the Gulf Coast the past three years is not expected to cause the same amount of damage in the Carolina's for another 100 years. In other words, this is happening at a rapid pace. I know we can't change the weather or stop these storms, but I wonder what can be done to slow down the damage.
 * 1) Summary –
 * Book Citation –
 * Personal Interest –

#2
As many as 205,000 obese people in the United States turn to gastric bypass surgery in order to lose weight. Most of these people try many diets before turning to surgery, but the diets don't work. There are approximately 15 million morbidly obese people in America. The American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery estimated that last year 205,000 obese people underwent surgery in order to help each person lose over 100 pounds. Having the surgery is half the battle. After the surgery people should eat child size portions and exercise. It takes dedication to stay on track. The surgery doesn't cure a person's psychological need to overeat or eat the wrong foods. Fifteen percent regain the weight. A person who has gastric bypass surgery should also seek psychological counseling, support from a nutritionist, and include exercise in their daily routine. Brody, Jane E.; “Weight-Loss Surgery Requires Discipline.” (09/16/2008); New York Times; Page F7. The reason I found this article interesting is because obesity is a health issue on my husband's side of the family. My husband has two sisters and four nieces that are morbidly obese. They are plagued with many severe health issues such as: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. If I had the money, I would pay for all of them to get this surgery. This article also confirmed that bypass surgery should be paired with information on nutrition, exercise, and psychological counseling. My brother in law's wife had a different version of this surgery, the gastric band. She couldn't control her eating so she had problems with the band, had it removed, and gained back all the weight she had lost.
 * 1) Summary –
 * Book Citation –
 * Personal Interest –

1. Summary –
A 38 year old woman developed gestational diabetes when she became pregnant in 1990. Her pregnancy was closely monitored and she gave birth to a healthy baby. She was told that this condition could reoccur in subsequent pregnancies, but in her case it didn't. As a result of an increase in pre-pregnancy weight, more women are experiencing gestational diabetes. This condition affects approximately 4 percent of pregnant women and it occurs by the twenty eight week of pregnancy. A seven year study that followed 23,000 non diabetic women, showed that even when the blood sugar is elevated but not high enough to be called diabetes, pregnant women run the risk of having a baby that is too large to be born vaginally. The baby also runs the risk of being born with low blood sugar. Also, women with this condition may also develop high blood pressure and may need to deliver by Caesarean section. Testing for gestational diabetes is now routine for pregnant women. If they do develop the condition, women should follow a specific nutritional regimen, limit the intake of sweets, and exercise. It also helps to periodically test her sugar levels. Six to eight weeks after giving birth, a woman who's had gestational diabetes should be retested. She should keep an eye on her weight and her child's weight. She should also be tested regularly for diabetes as she ages. Brody, Jane E.: “Diabetes is a Risk in Pregnancy that Carries Risks Beyond.” (10/28/08); New York Times, Page D7. The reason I found this article interesting is because I developed gestational diabetes during both of my pregnancies. The first time I got pregnant, I didn't know this condition existed. I was healthy, normal weight, and with no history of diabetes in my family. I did not gain a lot of weight during the pregnancy, only 21 pounds, and as soon as I gave birth, the sugar levels went back down. My daughter was born 7 pounds 3 When I was expecting my son 5 years later, I was told that I would most likely develop gestational diabetes once again, and I did. I was given a sonogram, put on a restricted diet, gained only 21 pounds, and gave birth to an 8 pounds 9 ounces healthy boy. My sugar levels went back down after delivery. Nineteen years later I'm still healthy. My son is tall and slender and he's also healthy, but I'm always concerned about the three of us. My daughter is a little heavier than she should be, but she's not obese. Hopefully none of us will have to deal with diabetes when we get older.
 * Book Citation –
 * Personal Interest –

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