Biology Kingdoms

Archaebacteria

Sulfolobus islandicus

growth occurs in volcanic springs, optimally at a temperature of 80 degrees celcius with a ph of 2-3

growth occurs in volcanic springs, optimally at a temperature of 80 degrees Celsius with a ph of 2-3

Ignicoccus hospitalis

Lives in marine hydrothermal vents temperatures range up to 464 degrees Celsius

Lives in marine hydrothermal vents temperatures range up to 464 degrees Celsius

 

Eubacteria

E-coli

A bacteria found in the intestines of humans and animals, it is usually harmless except for certain strands which most commonly cause illness by ingesting uncooked beef.
A bacteria found in the intestines of humans and animals, it is usually harmless except for certain strands which most commonly cause illness by ingesting uncooked beef.

Salmonella

A bacteria most commonly found in animal produce, such as beef, poultry, eggs and milk.
A bacteria most commonly found in animal produce, such as beef, poultry, eggs and milk.

 

Protist

Amobea

A single-celled organism that uses protoplasm to hunt and move
An unicellular organism that uses protoplasm to hunt and move

Volvox globator

An organism that travels in colonies living in water. The organisms link to eachother through cytoplasm and
An organism that travels in colonies living in water. The organisms link to eachother through cytoplasm and propel the colony through the water.

Fungi

Agaricus bisporus

Also known as a Portobello mushroom, it is found in European and North American grasslands.
Also known as a Portobello mushroom, it is found in European and North American grasslands.

Lichen

A fungus that can grow in nearly any environment, from the desert to the tundra to solid rock
A fungus that can grow in nearly any environment, from the desert to the tundra to solid rock

Animalia

The common spotted cuscus

A nocturnal marsupial often found in northern Australia, it is often confused with a monkey or sloth, due to its sluggish movements.
A nocturnal marsupial often found in northern Australia, it is often confused with a monkey or sloth, due to its sluggish movements.

Grimpoteuthis

this species of 'umbrella octopus' lives at a depth of 3-4km underwater, their floppy ears protruding from their head is what earns them the nickname 'Dumbo'
this species of ‘umbrella octopus’ lives at a depth of 3-4km underwater, their floppy ears protruding from their head is what earns them the nickname ‘Dumbo’

Plants

Rafflesia arnoldii

The world's largest flower spans 3ft in diametre and pollinates by giving off an odour of rotting meat to attract flies and other bugs to pollinate when in bloom
The world’s largest flower spans 3ft in diametre and pollinates by giving off an odour of rotting meat to attract flies and other bugs to pollinate when in bloom

Baobab

The baobab
The baobab is a tree that can live to be 500 years old and can store up to 300 litres of water in it’s trunk, typically growing in Africa and Australia.

Pizza Problem

Q: You start eating a half a pizza, then eat the remaining half of the half and continue to eat the pizza this way. Will you ever finish? Explain your reasoning. How is this a sequence?

A: In theory, no, you will never finish the pizza. By continually cutting the remaining pizza in half each time you will become closer and closer to zero each time, however, you will never reach it. This is an infinite sequence with an infinite number of terms, because we are calculating how much of the pie remains. Were we calculating how much of the pie we had eaten, this would be a geometric series.

(In theory you would never finish the pizza, however, were we to actually try this I am sure it would eventually all be devoured)

Water for Elephants: Book Review

Water for Elephants follows the dog-eat-dog world of the circus in the 1930’s through the eyes of Jacob Jankowski as he learns to made hard choices and to stand up for what is right at all costs. The author tells the story from a timely perspective (for the most part) that is only effective, however, if the reader makes some effort to share that perspective.

For example, the animal cruelty in the book is criminal by today’s standards. Not only are the animals neglected, but also subject to routine beatings. Jacob, as the show’s vet, has a perspective more similar to our own than anyone else because he also harbours a soft spot for them and because he sees the most clearly how damaging it is to their physical and mental health. Back in the 1930’s, the mental health of a person was barely considered an issue and the mental health of an animal was virtually unheard of. The routine beatings that August gave out (the mentally unhealthy person, ironically), were seen by him as just to teach the animals a lesson, he didn’t see how it damaged their overall morale.

Personal mental health was an issue in the plot where the author strayed from her timely perspective. In relation to August’s frequent bouts of insanity and rage, she makes it known that he’s a paranoid schizophrenic. This particular disease wasn’t even diagnosed until the 1970’s, but it gives us perspective and depth to the choices that Jacob and Marlena have to make regarding ho to deal with him and wether or not Marlena can afford to get back together with him.

Overall the plot was very compelling but the prologue left the reader confused when it repeats itself later on in the book. It’s a book that requires on to put oneself in different characters’ shoes to get the most out of the book. I would recommend to fans of Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper and to those who agree that a book is only as good as it’s characters.

Water For Elephants: Image Connection

 

This image represents the relationship between August and Marlena, because in the picture the two people are still holding onto each other, even though it's hurting both of them. Similarily, Marlena still held onto August because she felt it would be more difficult to leave him then to stay, even though it was hurting her to do so.
This image represents the relationship between August and Marlena, because in the picture the two people are still holding onto each other, even though it’s hurting both of them. Similarily, Marlena still held onto August because she felt it would be more difficult to leave him then to stay, even though it was hurting her to do so.

What may lead to toxic relationships?

In the novel Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen, toxic relationships are explored in that between Marlena, the girl of Jacob’s dreams, who is married to Jacob’s boss, August. August is a paranoid schizophrenic, which leads to violent and unpredictable mood swings. Marlena found him to be charming and charismatic when she first met him, but first saw his other side 3 weeks after he convinced her to leave behind her life to marry him and travel with the circus. August often gets angry and violent when there is problems with the circus or his personal life. For example, when Rosie the elephant refuses to obey his commands and causes mischief in the circus, he beats her repeatedly and is a terror to be around. However, he changes his tune when Jacob, the show’s vetrenarian, figures out that Rosie speaks polish. As they are able to put together a spectacular routine that is sure to wow the audience, August is good-natured and optimistic; he becomes patient with all those around him and becomes someone easy to be around as opposed to someone to avoid. Marlena expresses her frustration at this, as she thinks she should’ve been the one who would be able to calm him down, but to no avail. August’s frequent outbursts leave him incapable of sympathy and compassion, which leaves Marlena feeling isolated and scared.  The final straw in the breakdown of their marriage is when August bevcomes suspicious of Jacob and Marlena having an affair, and he hurts her physically. Without being able to take comfort in her husband she does begins an affair with Jacob and they plot to run away together. The toxic relationship between August and Marlena is filled with confusion, frustration, anger and dishonesty, but the root of it all is found in August’s lack of compassion and empathy for others, be it his fault or not.

 

 

Water For Elephants: Connection

CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up–for you the flag is flung–for you the bugle trills; 10
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths–for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won; 20
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

– Walt Whitman

This poem shares many similarities to the climax and falling action of the book Water for Elephants, as it represents the clean break of a long journey for Jacob and Marlena. At the end of the book Jacob and Marlena know that they are in danger and must leave the circus soon, to escape from August and Uncle Al, and the potentially fatal fate that awaits them there if they don’t. However, the night they are to make their escape, the animals are all let loose, causing a stampede in the middle of the show. In the chaos that ensues, Rosie the elephant kills August and a few days later Uncle Al is found dead. Since the people in charge of the circus are no longer able to perform their duties, the circus comes to an end as well. The circus collapsing marks the end of a long voyage for Jacob and Marlena, and it severs a clean break for them since they know that now there is no home to return to, even if they wanted to go back. Similarly, the end of the voyage in the poem leaves no other option but to continue forward. The Captain, however, has gone down with the trip, further impeding the possibility of travel, except by a different ship. I feel that this poem relates more to Marlena than Jacob, in refernce to the captain, because Marlena was August’s wife who loved him, at one point. Though they had the rockiest of relationships and she left him before he was dead, there is still an emotional attachment there, and she still mourns her husband even though she has a bright future waiting ahead of her, albeit uncertain. Similarly the sailor in the poem mourns his captain in the face of victory. With no more captain to direct the ship, the voyage ends, marking a new beginning for all aboard.

TKAM: Thematic Statements

When one person lacks empathy towards another, the result can be prejudice.

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee explores how a lack of empathy towards other people can lead to predjudice through Jem and Scout, two young children beginning to lose their innocence and become aware of the world around them. This includes a valuable lesson taught to them in many different forms but best summed up by Atticus, their father, in chapter 3. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view(…)until you climb into his skin and walk around in it,” (Lee, page 39).
This lesson is reinforced when they have an encounter with Mrs. Dubose, the old lady who lives up the street and seemingly takes pleasure in insulting the children whenever they pass by. She has built herself a reputation of being “vicious” (page 133), as described by Scout. The children express their feelings to Atticus who tells them to pay her no mind; she’s a sick old lady. Jem has difficulty taking this to heart, however, and ends up destroying Mrs. Dubose’s camellias in a fit of anger. As punishment he is made to go read to Mrs. Dubose for two hours six days of the week. During his time there, he finds out how sick she really is and, after her death, that she was a recovering morphine addict. The children then realize where Atticus’ respect for her came from, and they discover some of their own for her and her bravery. After this, they learned a valuable lesson in seeing past people’s faults by putting themselves in others’ shoes. Was Jem able to do this before, Mrs. Dubose’s camellias might have been spared.
Another experience with Boo Radley leads to the same conclusion. Because the children, nor most anyone, has seen him outside in years, rumors have taken root in people’s minds that he is crazy and dangerous. Of course, children being as impressionable as they are, the Radley lot is avoided at all costs. However, their curiosity eventually gets the best of them and they want to find out if the rumors are true. After a few dangerous escapades and close calls, their mind becomes preoccupied by other things. But their curiosity is eventually satiated in finding out that Boo Radley has been there protecting them all along, even when they didn’t realize it. At the very end of the book, Scout puts herself in Boo Radleys shoes and sees that the most feared person in Maycomb is actually the one with the biggest heart.

To Kill a Mockingbird : Connections

This poem represents that, though there are many different ways to silence or kill the innocent or opressed, there is no way to erase the horrors of the  crime that has been comitted. For example, in the book 'To kill a Mockingbird,' though Tom Robinson was convicted by the jury and later shot, his death was still left ringing in the ears of Judge Taylor, his wife, Atticus, Jem and Scout, to name a few. These also happen to be the victims of Bob Ewell's attempts to take revenge on those who did not take his side at the trial; those who had the heart to be affected by Tom Robinson's death.
This poem represents that, though there are many different ways to silence or kill the innocent or opressed, there is no way to erase the horrors of the crime that has been comitted. For example, in the book ‘To kill a Mockingbird,’ though Tom Robinson was convicted by the jury and later shot, his death was still left ringing in the ears of Judge Taylor, his wife, Atticus, Jem and Scout, to name a few. These also happen to be the victims of Bob Ewell’s attempts to take revenge on those who did not take his side at the trial; those who had the heart to be affected by Tom Robinson’s death. Bob Ewell failed in his attempt to silence and erase the injustice he had dealt to so many innocent people, and those people would carry it with them for the rest of their lives, as well as any who have read the book from cover to cover. To kill a mockingbird means to ensure it’s song will be heard forever, and those who do not hear have chosen to plug their ears instead of bearing on their conscience. An example of this is the ladies who participate in missionary teas, breaking their hearts over things they can’t fix and turning a blind eye to those tht they can.

Inquiry Post # 1: Caged Bird

Can hope, when discouraged, lead to resilience?

The poem ‘Caged Bird’, by Maya Angelou, describes the situation of the imprisonned bird; and how it longs to be free like the others. This desire is expressed in it’s song, For the caged bird/sings of freedom. The bird in this poem, though trapped, does not give up hope, but instead uses the ability he has. His wings are clipped/and his feet are tied/so he opens his throat to sing. This bird in the poem, though defeated, still took the action he could against his imprisonment and made known that his hope of freedom was not gone or forgotten, but only more definite than ever. In the book ‘To kill a Mockingbird’, by Harper Lee, the black community of Maycomb County has little say in what hand they are dealt in life, and when Tom Robinson is falsley accused of the rape of a white girl, they know there is nothing they can do that will change the outcome. However, they go to the trial anyways and, with Atticus’ help, a presentable case defending Tom Robinson is made. Despite the evidence being perfectly clear, the jury has no intentions of letting him go free. The black community, though their hands and feet are tied, they show their support by their gratitude towards Atticus, and the faith and quiet determination speaks volumes about their unwavering resilience.

I chose this photo because it represents the mentality behind thhis poem, and it speaks of being restricted from having basic rights. This picture represents the author's emotions when she wrote this poem and how, finally, after so many years of opression, Maya Angelou's song is finally heard.
I chose this photo because it represents the mentality behind thhis poem, and it speaks of being restricted from having basic rights. This picture represents the author’s emotions when she wrote this poem and how, finally, after so many years of opression, Maya Angelou’s song is finally heard.

 

 

The human condition: Video

 

 

This video describes the human condition by pointing out certain needs that we have that need to be met before we can function in harmony with others. The actions that we take to meet these needs, or the consequences of not having them met, are often perceived as human nature.

Inquiry question: May the ugly parts of human nature result from not having our needs met?