What in the world is Meiosis?!

Well to start with meiosis is a type of cell division in which the eggs and sperm are produced.  Meiosis includes a lowering of the genetic material.  Meiosis is made up of two successive nuclear divisions with only one round of replicating the DNA.  The four stages of Meiosis are interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, but it happens twice!  Here is the stages in a little more detail!
Interphase- This is before meiosis begins and genetic material can be doubled.
The first division of meiosis starts with prophase 1, which is when duplicated chromatin condenses.  Every chromosome is made up of two, closely related to sister chromatids.  Crossing-over is possible at the end of this stage.
Metaphase 1 is when homologous chromosomes line up at the equatorial plate.
Anaphase 1 is the time at which the homologous pairs separate with sister chromatids remaining attached.
In Telophase 1 two daughter cells are made with each daughter that includes only one chromosome of the homologous pair.

The second division of meiosis is when the gametes form.  It starts with Prophase 2; this is where DNA does not get replicated.  In Metaphase 2, chromosomes line up at the equatorial plate.  During Anaphase 2 centromeres divide and the sister chromatids move separately to each pole.  At the Telophase 2 phase cell division is finished.  Four haploid daughter cells are collected.

One parent cell produces four daughter cells.  There is only half the number of chromosomes in the daughter cell that are found in the original parent cell.  If crossing over occurs, they are genetically different.
Meiosis is different from mitosis because there are two cell divisions in meiosis which ends in cells with a haploid number of chromosomes.  Overall meiosis, is a very drawn out process and can be complicated to most people, but once you get the just of it, it makes a lot MORE sense!

All of the Meiosis Steps!

This is the site where I got all of my info from!!! :)
http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/VL/GG/meiosis.php

My Self-Reflection and Goals! :)

For this semester I would like to learn more about genetics and the forming of a baby!  Since this is the last of my junior year I would love to pass this semester with a high B or A :) I've actually learned a lot in college biology even though the first quarter was mainly all about facebook because i just couldn't concentrate whatsoever!  But thankfully in the third quarter I'm doing a little better.  However I need to get my rear in gear and catch back up on all of my posts darn it!  :) Well that's all I have to say for now! :)

Mitosis! :)

In the Mitosis process, there are six stages starting with interphase.  Interphase is where the chromatin is undifferentiated in the heavily-stained nucleus.  Before a cell begins mitosis, it has to undergo a synthesis phase where every chromosome is duplicated and is made up of two sister chromatids joined by a specific DNA sequence known as a centromere.

The first initial phase of mitosis is called prophase.  The nuclear chromatin starts to be organized and forms into thick strands that eventually become chromosomes.  During this stage, the cytoskeleton begins to break down and the main piece of the mitotic apparatus, the mitotic spindle begins to shape outside the nucleus at opposite ends of the cell.  

early prophase

The next phase is metaphase, or the middle of all the stages.  Metaphase is when the chromosomes, attached to the "kinetochore microtubules," begin to align in one plane halfway between the spindle poles.  The microtubules apply a pull on the chromosomes and the entire spindle-chromosome complex is ready for the next phase.  In metaphase, the kinetochore and polar microtubules are clearly seen and radiate out the ends of the cell which leave the chromosomes in the middle of the complex.

metaphase

After metaphase, the cell begins anaphase.  After the metaphase chromosomes are aligned at the metaphase plate, the two halves of chromosomes are pulled apart by the spindle apparatus and move to the opposite spindle poles.  As the chromosomes are pulled toward the poles the kinetochore microtubules shrink, while the polar microtubules lengthen to assist in seperating.  Anaphase is the fastest stage in mitosis.  

Anaphase

The last stage of Mitosis is called Telophase.  In this stage, the daughter chromosomes arrive at the spindle poles and are finally redistributed into chromatin.  Cytokinesis also continues through telophase.  After the chromosomes are completely separated and their extrusion to the spindle poles, the nuclear membrane begins to reform around each group of chromosomes at the opposite ends of the cell.

Telophase

Overall Mitosis is a fairly long process and at the end it results into two daughter cells.  The process then starts all over again.
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/micro/gallery/mitosis/mitosis.html

Enzymes Reactions Lab!

A couple of weeks ago we did a lab about enzyme reactions.  We tested the levels of pressure when yeast was mixed with a variety of different mixtures.  In the first graph shown we tested the levels of pressure with 5 droplets of yeast, 20 droplets of yeast, and 45 droplets of yeast.  The mixture that had the highest slope of pressure was the one with 20 droplets of yeast.

In the graph to the right, we measured the levels of pressures of yeast mixed with different levels of pH.  The enzyme reaction was the highest with a pH level of 4.

  The graph on the left shows pressure with different temperature levels.  We experimented with yeast and water mixed at room temperature, cold temperature, and hot temperature.  According to our observations the yeast had the most pressure at hot temperatures.  

Photosynthesis and Respiration :)

Kelsea and I did this one together, so check out our awesome prezis! :)

http://prezi.com/fsaeelbu_vmt/respiration/

Respiration! on Prezi

Photosynthesis! :) on Prezi

Dry Lab!

So to be honest, it's taken me like a week to figure out what in the world a dry lab is and how to even do it.  But now after time, I figured it out, I think!  So here goes nothing!

First of all you need to get four clean test tubes, a bottle of bromothymol blue, access to water, straws, snails, and elodea (plant).

Now take one clean test tube and fill it up halfway full with water.  Place 30 drops of the bromothymol blue into the test tube and get your straw.  No you're not going to drink it.  Take the straw and blow bubbles into the mixture in the test tube.  Record your observations.

Next, grab the second test tube also filling it halfway full with water.  Just like the previous step, place 30 drops of bromothymol blue into the water.  But, instead of blowing bubbles, place a snail into the test tube.  After 3-5 minutes record observations and remove the snail.

Then, take the third test tube, fill it halfway full with water and place 30 drops of bromothymol blue into the water in the test tube.   Now, insert one elodea (plant) into the test tube mixture.  Place it in an area with sunlight. After 3-5 minutes record your observations and remove the plant.

Finally, take the last tube and fill it halfway full of water, placing 30 drops of bromothymol blue into the test tube.  After that take one snail and one elodea into the test tube.  Take the test tube into a very dark area with no sunlight whatsoever!  After 3-5 minutes record your observations.  Don't forget to take the snail and elodea out after though! 

OBSERVATIONS AND EXPLANATIONS!
In step one the mixture begins as a blue color because of the bromothymol blue.  After blowing bubbles into the mixture, it turns to a light greenish yellow color.  This is caused from carbon dioxide being in the water which produces carbonic acid. 
In step two, the water will begin to turn a light color.  It changes to a light color because the snail is constantly respiring. 
In step three, the water turns a blue-green color.  The carbon dioxide and the water yield sugar and oxygen when chlorophyll and sunlight are around. 
In step four, the water will change into a yellow color.  This is because there is no sunlight which means the plant is unable to photosynthesize.  The plant is always creating carbon dioxide, along with the snail also in the tube.  The water turns acidic because of the abundant amount of CO2, causing the yellow coloring of the mixture.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome! :(

Imagine, going out to a party where there is alcohol involved and you see a soon to be mother picking up a beer. What would you do? Would you let her in on the potentially fatal effects it could have on her baby or would you sit back and not speak for a little child that can't voice their own opinion? Drinking alcohol while being pregnant can cause miscarriages, stillbirth or premature delivery. It can also cause fetal alcohol syndrome which affects the growth, mental and physical aspects of a baby when a mother drinks alcohol while she is pregnant. The use of alcohol during pregnancy can cause the same risks as using alcohol in general. Although, it poses more risks to the fetus. When a woman that is pregnant drinks alcohol, it smoothly passes across the placenta to the fetus. Drinking can harm the baby's development because of this. A pregnant woman who drinks any alcohol is at risk, because there is no "safe" level of alcohol use while pregnant. Larger amounts of alcohol do appear to increase the problems. Binge drinking has more severe effects to the fetus than drinking small amounts of alcohol. The timing of alcohol consumption is also very critical. Drinking any alcoholic substance appears to be the most harmful during the first three months of pregnancy.

A baby that may have fetal alcohol syndrome may have many different symptoms.  Babies could have poor growth while he or she is in the womb and after birth.  The baby could also have decreased muscle tone and poor coordination.  Another symptom would be delayed development and significant functional problems in three or more major areas such as thinking, speech, movement, or social skills for the age of the baby.  Heart defects could also occur such as ventricular septal defect or atrial septal defect.  Babies with fetal alcohol syndrome could have narrow, small eyes with large epicanthal folds, a small head, upper jaw, a smooth groove in upper lip, and a smooth and thin upper lip.

Many tests and exams can be taken to reveal if a newborn has fetal alcohol syndrome.  A physical exam of the baby could possibly show a heart murmur or other problems relating to the heart.  As the baby begins to develop there might be signs of delayed mental development.  There is also the possibility of facial or skeleton damages.  Tests that can be taken are the blood alcohol level in soon to be mothers who show signs of being under the influence.  Brain imaging studies such as a CT or MRI can be taken to show abnormal brain development.  An ultrasound shows slowed growth of the fetus also.  Women who are pregnant or trying to be should avoid drinking any alcoholic substance.  Pregnant women that suffer from alcoholism should join an alcohol abuse rehabilitation group and be monitored closely by a health care provider throughout her pregnancy.

Now back to the question, would you voice your opinion about the pregnant women drinking alcohol at the party and speak up for the little baby inside of her with no chance?  All I can say after reading this is that women who are pregnant please don't drink or do drugs including smoking, your baby doesn't want to have to go through the problems you will press upon them.  Let them have a fair chance at living. 

Here are some photos of fetal alcohol syndrome....

 

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premature baby with FAS



6 month old baby's brain (left)
6 month old baby's brain, suffering from FAS (right)

here is my link to all the info I got! :)

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000911.htm