Halichoerus grypus....

Do you know what a Halichoerus grypus is?... Well let me tell you! A Halichoerus grypus is what we know as the Grey Seal. The seal can be found on both shores of the North Alantic ocean and comes from a large seal famil:phocidae (true seals). It is the only species that is classified in the genus Halichoerus species. The grey seal is also known as the Alantic Grey Seal.

Size: It is the average seal size which is reaching 2.5–3.3 m long and weighing up to 300 kg. The seals are huge and cows are often compared to be small creatures when compared to the seal.

Ecology: Typically found in large numbers across the coast lines. They occassionaly come to shore to rest, but prefer being away from the public.

Diet: The seal loves a variety of fish. Also, sea eels are a very important ingredient to their diet.

Reproduce: They reproduce "pups" that are born in the months september-november. In the Eastern Alantic Ocean:January-February. The pups are born with a fur and within months they shed their coat and begin to get their adult coat.

Current Status: The number of Grey Seals are increasing due to the protection of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Thanks for a great class everyone! Have an awesome and good luck with the rest of your academic career!!!!

-Becky

Evolution and Extinction

I do not believe that we are experiencing a mass extinction. I believe that in the process of life, organisms live and die. Although it appears there are a lot of organisms going extinct, I do not believe we have to worry. For the other animals have gone extinct and new animals have been given life. It is a process that I do not worry about depleting all together. For some reason, when I think of mass exctinction, I think of the world becoming bare and dry, which I do not believe is the case. What are your thoughts? Please feel free to disagree.

What about theories?

The world is filled with theories. As we learned in the beginning of class, theories must be proven. When it comes to the topic of evolution, it can get very "sticky". This is becuase of how people credit what they consider to be actual evidence. Some people will accept little evidence and some require a detailed analysis on the theory. I do not believe that they people stating "just a theory" are intentionally trying to undermine the theory. They are simply stating that it is a theory amongst many theories. People pick and choose what "theories" to believe, atleast they are acknowledging it as a theory rather then avioding the subject altogether.
Unfortunately, I think people will naturally take offense when other people do not believe what they consider to be true and that is when everyone becomes defensive.

Cloning of Pets...

Hello Readers,

I hope you are all having a lovely day! I recently read the article that was posted for this weeks blog and it was shocking, but not. Does that makes sense? I was surprised, but not suprised. Technology today is such an evolving economy that it does not suprise me how much money people will spend to try and recreate memories of the past. I think it is very sad... I have noticed more and more these days how people spend so much time working and earning money, that they do not have any fun. It is like we are losing the zest of life.
I once heard a comedian have a skit on Tivo. He talked about how people now record shows and go out, when the whole purpose of going out is to get away from the tv! I think people are doing the same thing with life today, there is no safety net! One should enjoy life and everyday that God has given, today. I feel like people try to work hard and save time, money, and life for when they can enjoy it. But the truth is, the opportunity is to enjoy it now! I think people feel the same way with their pets. People get so caught up in everyday life and forget to dedicate time to their pets. As I have been interning at the Placer SPCA, I have realized what a huge commitment and responsibility it is to have a pet. I think that cloning animals is kind of a waste of money. For it is trying to help you enjoy something that is of the past in the present. Is this making sense?
I just think that money could be put to better use if people enjoyed the what they have presently. I actually new a family who cloned their dog and they were very disapointed. Although the clone dog looked exactly like their previous dog, they said the personality was totally different. These are just some of my thoughts, what are yours?

Help!

Hello Everyone,

I am having trouble figuring out number 3 on the genetic problems. I have half of the information completed but what about determining the gender of the children? I know this is probably super easy, and I am just missing it. But any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

Genetics + Insurance= Good?

I think that this is a sticky situation. I am not convinced that providing the insurance company with a set of genetics would be beneficial for a couple of reasons. 1) I do not want my genetics floating around in an office or visible to un-necessary eyes. 2.) I would not want my genetics to affect my insurance policy (not saying it would), but I would not want it to be a factor in my mind. We cannot help the genetics we are given! 3) If there is no purpose for the company to have it, then what is the point?! I would be more likely to give them my information if they were going to pursue different health benefits for my personal life style, or could help with health preventions. But... that is not their purpose. These are just some of my thoughts... What are yours?

Technology Today

So I am trying to get a head start on this week's homework. I find the topic of technology to be very interesting. I think technolgy is great! It helps with so much innovation for how the world functions and the way the world can conduct business in an efficent and effective manner. However, my views with technology that interfere with the unborn human life is where I become skeptical. Although this technology has a strong appeal for most individuals, I find it to be invasive. It would be good to get tested, I do not believe that baby should be aborted if it is unhealthy. I could see the argument of how this could help one prepare for the future. But I don not believe the child should be aborted.
I know, I know this gets to be a personal topic. But this is the main reseason why I am not a firm believer in this type technology. Personally, I would not have this technology administered on my children. Not to find the color of their eyes, not to determine the gender. I believe that each child is a precious gift from God and should be treated as such. These are my personal views and you are free to disagree. Hope you all have a great week!

Thoughts on respiration

This weeks reading is a little confusing fore me... I have had a lot of tests and projects do so my brain is scrambled with information. But from what I understand, Humans could not live on aerobic cellular respiration. One of the main reasons is because it does not use oxygen, it brakes down the nutrients commonly found in animals and plants. But there is no need for me to lecture:) I would assume that humans do not directly need aerobic cellular respiration to function. Conversely, I believe that humans are need an indirect source of this specific respitation to function as God intended.
When I researched about the warm and cold blooded organisms, I found that warm blooded creatures produce more ATP which gives them more energy, and in return affect the body tempature. I thought that this was interesting information, but I am not quite convinced that this is a definite or the only answer to this question. What are your thoughts?

Photosynthesis and such...

Hello Readers!

I hope everyone is a having a lovely, relaxing day in the sunshine! I think the weather is perfect for talking about photosynthesis... but that could be just me:) This weeks assignments have really been stretching me in my personal beliefs and stimulating many thoughts concerning God's beautiful creation and the concerns of global warming.
Upon reading the assignments about photosynthesis, I have come to realize how truly dependent we are upon plants. I have never really thought about it before. (Ok.. ok... maybe in sophmore year of high school, but that was a long time ago.) The process of Photosythesis is conducted through plants and without them, we couldn't live! That is so amazing to me that we are so dependent on plants and the sun, and the moon, and all of creation. Photosynthesis is always occuring and is always providing us with the benefits of life. When I researched how much energy we recieve from photosynthesis, I got really confused. All I know is that it is necessery for energy and life. Which brings me to the point about deforestation in the nothern hemisphere. After researching, I realize how important it is to have many plants and forests to produce photosynthesis. I believe that it would be best to keep as many forest as possible... Theses are just some of my thoughts, what's your thoughts?

America's Diet?

Well Hello Everyone!
This weeks material was interesting to me. This could be because of the enormus amounts of applicable information! I believe there are many reasons that this country is overwieght. I believe that one of the reasons is the culture of the country. Overall, we are an extremely blessed country that produces many goods and often it will affect our diet. Although the country struggles financially, we are still a solid country that will always have an abundance of goods and saturated fats. :) I also believe that our country is large, it encompassess many walks of life. Some eat healthy and some... well... let's just say they are lucky to still be alive with all the junk they consume. The south and mid west love fried foods, while the east and west coasts tend to love grilled items and healthier option. It all depends how and where the samplestests are taken to determine the actual health of the country. Another factor of the diet (or lack there of) of America is our culture. We have always has an abundance and so many options left to the consumer that I think it can be unhealthy.
As for what it says about our culture, I think it shows that we are spoiled and we create a strong demand for goods and services. Many people say that they work hard and deserve to eat what they wish, which is true. However, should we always let people live in ignorance.
It does reflect poorly on the country and often makes it difficult to loose weight when they are pampered with so many food options.
I believe it is important for parents to teach their children that the best tasting options may not be the best choice in the long run. Although, I imagine it is difficult to convince a child, it would still be good talk with them about the food choices they make. One could also slowly limit the number of choices so that the children have only healthy options. I believe that if these issues are not addressed, many of our children will be spending their life not living to their full potentail!

Seperating Fact From Fiction

I found this weeks assignments to be rather interesting! I have always struggled to understand the parts of cells and the concepts of biology. As I read the blog assignment for this week, I thought it would be rather straight forward. But the more I researched, the more I found it difficult to seperate fact from fiction. My example of a pseudoscience is going to be the story of "Nessie" the Lock Ness monster. This site seemed pretty adimit that the monster truly exisists, but I am highly skeptical :) Check it out!http://www.nessie.co.uk/. This is an extreme example I know, but it is interesting to see how many people view this as a valid sorce. If I am going to believe in something, it needs to be based on facts, evidence, and have a basic knowledge of the subject. Otherwise, it would not be a true belief.
This fact however is most likely to be a pseudoscience but it raises some good questions. It doesn't directly relate to science but... I heard the fact a while back that people who sing while driving are better drivers. http://community.tasteofhome.com/forums/p/214335/2853087.aspx The article says that 63% of drivers sing while driving and have not been in an accident in over four years.
I believe that it is essential to understand fact from fiction as we look at science, but also as we go through life. There could be a chemical reaction that happens while people drive and sing... who am I to say it is fact or fiction? What is your opinions. Your advice and comments would be much appreciated.

Oh boy! The food pyramid...

So... I was looking at this weeks chapters in the text, as well as reading the material posted in blackboard. I have always been fascinated by nutrition, but sadly... never paid too much attention to it. When I looked at the wrapped of my "Chewy" granola bar, I began to become uneasy about what I was putting in my body. As I read the wrapper, I began trying to figure out how to pronounce the words (scary). I really liked the rule that Professor Martinez gave in class... "If you can't pronounce, don't eat it!"
I believe it is essential for companies to begin putting the transfat contents on the wrappers of their products as the health issues are becoming more adherent in today's society. As we learn in reading the text that transfats are some of the worst fats one can intake. I think I am going to have to start looking more closely at the wrappers of the prodcuts I consume.... These are some of my thoughts, what are yours?

Thoughts on living

This is a very difficult question when you stop to think about it. I believe that theologians, scientists, and philosophers can view the aspect of "living" differently. Scientists give a great definition in determining what is alive or what constitutes life, in regards to living creatures surviving and adapting. Whereas theologians and philosophers discuss the process of life and the decisions that come with "living". I know that I am alive because of my senses. I can taste, smell, hear, see, and feel what is around me. I breathe in and out, and when I am quiet.... I can hear my heart beat softly. I react to my environment and continue to grow. Which must mean I alive right? Whoa, now the question gets deeper. Overall, I think science and biology give a great definition as to what constitutes what the term "living" is, but the definition of being alive will vary from person to person.
When I was researching this on the web for other peoples thoughts, I found definitions that state the ability to remember signifies that you are living. However, what about the people with dementia?? It would be hard argument to win, to say that someone without memory is not alive. Anyways, these are some of my thoughts on the topic. What about your thoughts?

A little bit about myself

Hello All,

I hope everyone can see this... I am new at blogging :) I am Senior at William Jessup University. I have worked for the WJU's admission office since fall 2006 and love help students figure out where to further their education. Currently, I am taking 18 units, working at my admissions job, as well as having an internship with the Placer SPCA. The internship entails many tasks envolved with marketing for the non-profit. So far, I have loved it and am exciting to help them advance their marketing techniques. I absolutely love to learn and am excting to share this biology journey with you! :) Hope you have a wonderful day, thanks for reading.
-Rebecca