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=Boricua Science Class Student Work Space=

Student Name:
Dexter Valles

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


 * What 2-3 activities did you enjoy/learn the most?

The activities that i enjoyed the most were the periodic table and genetic diseases. I liked the fact that i can easily identify chemical compounds through the utilization of a simple graphic organizer. I also enjoyed the genetic disease session because it lets you see that there is a rhyme and reason to these diseases and that you can work towards a cure instead of just accepting it and taking it at face value.


 * What 2-3 activities topic did you find the most difficult to understand?

I suppose the birth and death of stars would be the most difficult to comprehend because of the fact that i do not recall it. I would not be able to explain how they form or how they die without researching it again. All the other subjects i have a pretty good grasp of.

Computer Class = You may have moved a little too quickly for those who were still trying to find a computer that worked. Videos = I felt that you could have been a little more organized with the videos. Student Group Activities = I have no suggestions on how to improve them. Evaluations = I felt that a little more time should have been provided for the "Do Now" activities in the beginning of class.
 * 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.

I felt that the group activities were engaging. The videos were also informative and entertaining. Overall, my experience with this course was a positive one because i am walking away with knowledge that i did not have before. Science has never been one of my strong suits but i think that was because i did not have the right teachers. I like finding out how the world works.

Name of Disease
Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy

Symptoms

 * 1) Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy sufferers are subject to abnormal heart rhythm in the form of a slow heartbeat. This can lead to fainting, stroke, and even sudden death.
 * 2) Their movement in certain joints is restricted due to joint deformities known as contractures.
 * 3) They are also subject to muscle weakness as well as loss of muscle tissue.

Genes

 * 1) emerin (EMD)
 * 2) lamin A/C (LMNA)
 * 3) [Type here]

Cytogenetic Location
EMD is located at Xq28 LMNA is located between 1q21.2 and q21.3

Base Pair Site
EMD base pair location is 153,260,980 to 153,263,074 LMNA base pair location is 154,351,121 to 154,376,494

Community
Williamsburg

Evacuation Center
I currently do not reside in any of the evacuation zones. However, if I feel as though the lives of my family are in jeopardy, I will report to the nearest evacuation center. If I am separated from my family, we would agree to meet at the evacuation center.
 * Designated Evacuation Zone**

I.S. 383 (Philippa Schuyler Middle School) located at 1300 Greene Avenue.
 * Designated refuge**

I called the school, but the secretary was too busy too answer my questions.
 * //Their Evacuation Plan//**

My Evacuation Plan
//**Route By Train**// I can take the M train at Marcy Avenue (5 minutes walking distance from my house) 6 stops to Knikerbocker Avenue. The school will be less than a block away from the exit.

Starting out at 99 Wilson street, I will walk east on Wilson st. towards Bedford Avenue, then I will turn right on Division Ave. I will continue walking until I can turn right onto Broadway. I will walk down Broadway for about 20 minutes until I can turn right on Myrtle Ave. I will walk down Myrtle Ave for about 10 minutes until I reach Wilson Avenue. Then make a left onto Greene. Then I would have reached my destination.
 * //Route By Foot//**

· Rechargeable Batteries · Water · Energy bars · Canned goods · Can opener · Solar or battery powered Radio · Flashlight · First aide kit · Clothing · Toilet paper
 * Supplies**

#1
=**A Conversation With Joseph DeRisi**=

Tuesday, October 7, 2008
This article was comprised mostly of an interview with a brief introduction. It caught my attention though, because of the remarkable individual that was being interviewed. Dr. Joseph DeRisi is a biochemist whose accolades include winning the prominent Heinz Award for Technology, the Economy, and Employment. He is a Howard Hughes Medical Investigator, a member of the McArthur “Genius” Fellowship, and a college Professor at The University of California.
 * //Summary//**

These accolades are not in the least bit unwarranted. He is credited with helping to create the ViroChip technology whose primary function is to aide researchers and doctors in diagnosing viral infections. He is responsible for the development of the DNA Chip which allow researchers to simultaneously conduct many biological tests. These chips are used in many capacities such as cancer detection, gene discovery, and toxicology. Dr. DeRisi modified this technology to make the ViroChip. It represents every virus that has ever been discovered. It is basically an encyclopedia of viruses (about 22,000 viral sequences) on a glass slide. It enables the researchers to match any viral strain against the backdrop of the slide. The ViroChip can even identify new viruses because new strains mutated from existing strains and the Chip will classify its origin.

The way the ViroChip works is that genetic information is extracted from a patient who is suspected to have a viral infection. The patient’s DNA and RNA is tagged with a fluorescent dye and placed on the slide. Since matching genetic sequences bond together to form a double helix, the genetic information of its’ matching viral strain will glow; therefore identifying the virus. Thousands of viruses can be identified instantaneously in this manner with the use of computers. This is an incredible breakthrough in the fact that viruses can be detected at an accelerated rate as opposed to the days, months, or even years it may have taken before its advent. Early detection is crucial in terms of containment of viral outbreaks. In 2003, the SARS virus was identified as a “novel corona virus” in less than 24 hours with the utilization of a ViroChip. It was because of this early detection that the virus was contained.

//**Book Citation**//
 * Text - The Science, an Integrated Approach 4th edition**

The explanation to the science behind the ViroChip can be located in chapter 23 (Classical and Modern Genetics), on page 572, under the heading of DNA Structure. It explains the basics of how double helixes are formed. Since the ViroChip’s primary function is to bond the genetic material of viral strains to form double helixes, this chapter gives you an idea of how it operates.


 * Interest**

This article was intriguing because it dealt with modern genetics. It was exciting to find that even though the function of the ViroChip was not fully explained, I still have a working knowledge of how it operates due to my current studies. I also like to read about medical, technical, and scientific breakthroughs that can save lives. Any invention that can help contain viral outbreaks will save lives. Proper quarantines can be put into place because of this incredible diagnostic tool. Dr. DeRisi has saved countless lives with the use of his ViroChip and I have no doubt that he will save countless more.

#2
=**A Whisper, Perhaps, From the Universe's Dark Side**=

November 25, 2008
This article states that there may be evidence to the existence of dark matter. The universe is suspected to be comprised of ¼ dark matter but has not been detected as of late. So this would be a huge discovery. The data that has been gathered to support this claim stemmed from an experiment reported in the scientific journal “Nature”. A team of astrophysicists reported that a cosmic ray detector aboard a balloon flying around the South Pole recorded an excess number of high energy electrons and their rare anti matter opposites, positrons, flying through space. This has the scientific community speculating that these particles are the debris of dark matter particles colliding and therefore annihilating one another in space. They admit that the particles could have originated from a previously undiscovered astrophysical object, but the dark matter explanation is more enticing and plausible to the scientific community at large.
 * Summary**

The article goes on to explain the nature of dark matter, citing theories from respected authorities in the field of astrophysics. Dark matter theory can be traced to the 1930’s when a Caltech astronomer by the name of Fritz Zwicky figured that some invisible “missing mass” was necessary to provide the gravitational glue to hold clusters of galaxies together. The article also provides us with information on a couple of other experiments working to discover a model for dark matter and explains that they are pooling their resources and data to do so. It also explains the implications of such an important discovery stating that it would boost “String Theory”, the controversial theory of everything. This theory stems from another called supersymmetry which currently unifies three of the four forces of nature mathematically and acknowledges the existence of a dimension of “undiscovered particles”. The discovery of these particles would unify everything and explain a fourth of creation.

//**Book Citation**// The subject of Dark matter is discussed in chapter 15, Cosmology, on page 376 under the heading “Dark Matter and Ripples at the Beginning of Time”. The text also states the fact that if dark matter were directly detected, it would solidify the structure and even nature of the universe.
 * Text - The Sciences – An Integrated Approach Fourth Edition**

//**Interest**// As an avid fan of all things Science Fiction, this article proposes an exciting prospect. Shadow universes have been conventions of science fiction for as long as i could remember. The existence of dark matter would blur the line between fact and fiction and may open the doorway for our next big leap in scientific evolution. Humanity has evolved exponentially within the last two centuries or so in terms of technology and the sciences, so it does not surprise me that we will continue to do so. However, that does not mean that i am not excited by any new scientific discoveries.

Creation and the universe has long been a point of interest to me and the existence of dark matter will give us a deeper understanding of physics in general. The detection of dark matter would be one of the biggest discoveries in my generation and I will keep myself posted on any more progress.

#3
= = =After Hurricane Ike, Finding the coastline rearranged, Again.=

Tuesday, September 23, 2008
//**Summary**// This article sites the devastating effects that hurricanes have had on the Chandeleur Sound, a group of close knit islands, shaped like a bow, off the coast of Mississippi. It is a barrier chain formed thousands of years ago in a defunct delta of the Mississippi River and hurricane Katrina wiped out half of it in one fell swoop. In fact it has loss 85% of it’s land mass in just the past few years. Data was collected through aerial surveys administered by the United States Geological Survey. The photographs that accompany the article highlight the monumental land loss that can be attributed to hurricanes Katrina and Ike.

The article also warns of the imminent treat of more hurricanes completely annihilating these islands. Even though these islands are uninhabited, they are essential to the Brown Pelicans and other bird species who utilize the Chandeleurs as a nesting ground. This threatens to upset the balance of a delicate eco system.

//**Book Citation**// //Interest//**
 * Text - The Sciences – An Integrated Approach //Fourth Edition//**
 * Information regarding hurricanes can be located in chapter 18, page 452, under the heading “Common Storms and Weather Patterns”. **
 * Information about upsetting the balance of an ecosystem can be located in chapter 19, page 472, under the heading “The Law of Unintended Consequences”. **


 * It was exciting to find that I had a working knowledge of how and why hurricanes form due to my current studies. I know that hurricanes form on the ocean when water heats up above 80 degrees Fahrenheit within regions of low pressure. The water evaporates and rotates in a cyclonic pattern due to the trade winds. The water vapor forms thunderstorms that cyclone at speeds in excess of 75 miles per hour. When the water evaporates in the center, or eye, it serves to bring down the temperature of the water. This is in fact a hurricanes primary function; to regulate water temperature. Now that I have a working knowledge of why it happens, I can contemplate its devastating effects on our environment. I will now also research if there are any preventative measures in place to keep hurricanes from forming. It would seem, as humanity evolves scientifically, that we should figure out a way to regulate the water temperature on our own. **
 * The second part of the article addressed the crisis that the bird populations, that were endemic to the **** Chandeleur ** ** Islands ****, were facing in regards to their nesting ground quickly eroding away. I also currently studied animal habitats and there struggles for survival. So it was apparent to me that these bird populations are at risk of being endangered if they do not find a suitable nesting ground in the wake of the Chandeleurs disappearance. In fact, even if they did find sanctuary elsewhere, they risk upsetting another ecosystem. Relocation of a species will force it to compete with other species for resources and may force these species to leave. There could be a devastating domino effect that will not only affect wildlife. So it is extremely important for mankind to preserve ecosystems when ever possible. The sad thing is that in the case of natural disasters, it is not always possible. **

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