Author Archives: zacharyf-2014

Diffusion in Agar Cubes – Bio 12

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  1. In our testing, the most effective cube size was the smallest one.
  2. The smaller size cube allowed for the hydroxide to b dissolved better which made it the most effective. Also, it kept a large surface area for diffusion. The factors that affected how the materials diffuse into cells or tissues are surface area and volume. The best combination is high surface area and low volume.
  3. The bigger the surface area, the more volume it creates overall, which makes it hard to diffuse. The nucleus must need diffused material, and if materials are not adequately diffused, then it cannot reach the nucleus.
  4. Cube C would be the most effective for it has the highest surface area to volume ratio.
  5.  In our lungs, we have structures with little volume and a lot of surface area, which is one way our bodies adapt this efficiency of a high surface area to volume ratios.
  6. Because the surface area would become so little compared to its immense volume, it would not even be able to function, for diffusion would be inefficient.
  7. We being multicellular beings means that we can diffuse nutrients in more substantial quantities and more efficiently to monocellular beings.

Biology 12 – DNA Model LAB – Zachary Fletcher

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DNA Model Lab 

  1.     DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid – is a nucleic acid polymer that is shaped like a double-helix with rungs, and is found in our cells. Its backbone is made of sugar – deoxyribose – and phosphate. Its rungs are made of two bases hydrogen-bonded to each other (adenine to thymine, and guanine to cytosine). Either strand of DNA is antiparallel to each other, and also the strands are complementary; if one strand is known, the other one can be known as well. Like a photo and its negative. The opposite of one backbone should be reversed by the other backbone.

2.     This activity is good at showing which base bonds to which, and the positions of the phosphate groups, and demonstrates the antiparallel and complementary nature of DNA. It is also good at showing the long, twisted, ladder-like structure of DNA. However, it does not show the actual sugars or molecules; it gives a more macroscopic view of DNA. One way this model can be improved is also looking at the molecular structure of the sugars, phosphate groups, and the bases. Moreover, since DNA should be very flexible, other material besides pipe cleaners can be used next time. We could use string for our backbones. And colored straws for our bases. Tie the string around the straws to create the structure. It wouldn’t necessarily look like traditional DNA structure but functionally is far more functional and realistic.

 

Replication Lab 

  1. Occurs before cell division, during the interphase of mitosis.
  2. Where the DNA begins to unwind the alpha helicase and unzip its H-bonds utilizing DNA Helicase, then begins to add its complementary base pairing through the help of polymerase; nucleotides move into place and form H-bonds with newly formed “partners”, then join the adjacent nucleotides, where the leading strand continuously  unzips the DNA, and the lagging strand DNA ligase glues fragments of the unzipped DNA.
  3. The model today had multiple different problems. It had difficulty joining the model the complementary base pairing and the joining of adjacent nucleotides we tied the complementary bases to the mother bases first then added the length of pipe cleaner which had phosphate groups – modeled by black beads – attached to it. This was accurate because it showed which bases joined to which; how every base had a specific pair. This was inaccurate since the sugar-phosphate backbone is not just a long string that attached to pre-bonded bases, rather it is formed individually for every base.

 

RNA Transcription Lab

 

  1. mRNA copies the information carried from 1 gene on DNA. mRNA gives instructions which allow the ribosome to construct the proper sequence of amino acids to produce the required protein. DNA stores information while mRNA gives instructions.
  2. Transcription is the process in which information from 1 DNA gene is copied onto a mRNA strand. The process of transcription is broken down into three phases. Unwinding and Unzipping, Complementary base pairing, and Separation.
  3. Today’s activity did a good job in showing the general process of transcription. It did not do a good job in showing how a single gene (a certain part of the DNA strand) was transcripted.

 

 

 

Protein Synthesis Lab

 

  1. Describe the process of translation: initiation, elongation, and termination

Protein synthesis begins with initiation where the mRNA is held by the ribosome and the start codon AUG is read by the P-site. Matching tRNA brings in amino acids. The second phase of translation is elongation where the amino acid continues to grow and form a polypeptide. The mRNA codon is read by the A-site and brings in a matching tRNA. The P-site amino acid from tRNA is then transferred to the A-site tRNA. The final phase of translation is termination. The process of elongation is repeated until a special codon called a Stop Codon is reached. The ribosome is then separated from the mRNA while the tRNA separates from the polypeptide.

  1. How did today’s activity do a good job of modeling the process of translation? In what ways was our model inaccurate: Reasons stated below

Through visual presentation, it was quite effective, and paper is quite easy to use. There were some flaws. The mRNA travels through the cytoplasm into the ribosome, yet in this activity, it is at times very difficult to understand what exactly we’re doing or the reason why we are doing it.

 

 

 

Neuron Telephone

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Neuron Structure and Function

– How an action potential moves along the Neuron fibre?

 

Information is spread through a neuron by nerve impulses (an electrochemical signal called the Action Potential). The “Action Potential” is caused by the movement of positive ions in and out of the axon. In addition, these signals are caused when the positive ions cross the threshold. If the level of stimulation is too low it will not trigger a neural impulse. Without stimulation, the resting potential is -70 mV. This is because inside the axon there are more positive ions on the outside, thus has a negative net charge. When a stimulus crosses the threshold this causes an action we call depolarization. Where channels within the particular section of the axon open up to allow the inflow of Na+ ions. After depolarization occurs we must get our back to our resting potential, this causes the following action called repolarization. We allow K+ ions within this section of the axon and the charge return to normal and actually goes a little bit lower than the resting potential (estimated -90mV) and this is called the refractory period. And when repolarization occurs this causes the next section of the axon to depolarize.

And how long these messages take to go along the axon depends on the type of neuron. Motor Neuron have very long axons so the message will take ever so longer than say an interneuron which has a very short axon.

  • How is a signal sent from the axon of sending neuron to the dendrite of receiving neuron?

The Action Potential reaches the axon terminal button. The action potential causes synaptic vesicles to release neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap. Neurotransmitters diffuse through synapse and subsequently, the gap then binds the receiving receptors of the dendrite. The synaptic vesicles are then recycled by enzymes and are reabsorbed by the axon terminal so we don’t need to destroy and make new synaptic vesicles every time we send a signal from one axon to the receiving dendrite.

  • How the receiving neuron “determines” whether or not to send its own action potential?

The Neurotransmitter message is received as excitatory or inhibitory. If the message is received as excitatory then stimulation of the Action Potential occurs on the receiving neuron (aka repeating the cycle. But if it is inhibitory the message is repressed and no Action Potential takes place. The same message can be excitatory or inhibitory it all depends on the location in which the signal reacts to within the brain.

 

To The River by Edgar Allan Poe

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Illuminated Poetry POWER POINT -1xw15j3

“To The River” – by Edgar Allan Poe (assonance fair river in thy bright, alliteration wandering water,

The poem is about a man encapsulated by the varied beauty of a woman. And how the lake is beautiful, for it is just a reflection of her beauty. And just like the river he too is beautiful, for he holds her image. “To The River” addresses a social custom; which is love. The man is talking to himself about how beautiful this girl is and how she vary beauty reflects within the water. Throughout the entire poem, it is quite abstract using the river as a metaphor for his perception of her. Utilizing connotation when he says “which glistens then, and trembles” just as a river trembles when brushed by the beauty of the wind. He trembles by the sight of his lover. Also, “the heart which trembles” this is connotation for his rapidly beating heart when she’s around. Poe’s diction towards the subject revolves around the river; for example “crystal, glistens, stream, wave.” Poe’s tone towards the poem is entirely different to his later works of horror and depression. As this poem is again ambiguous but, is about love. For example; “Thou art an emblem of the glow of beauty — unhidden heart,” this man is completely in love with this maiden of the Lake. “To The River” is written as two stanzas. The first stanza contains six lines with rhyme scheme ABACCB, while the second stanza contains eight lines with rhyme scheme ABABCDCD, all rhyme is end rhyme and is open. He makes the poem sound optimistic and happy by utilizing assonance and euphony “fair river in thy bright,” alliteration “wandering water.” This poem is one giant metaphor, filled with symbolism “for in my heart as in thy stream; her image deeply lies” comparing his heart to a stream. Flowing steadily and is everlasting. The title works well in conjunction to the poem. “To The River” describes the setting, yet leaving it ambiguous enough to leave some mystery. And the poem is quite ambiguous as the meaning differs from person to person with the common theme of love. Edgar Allan Poe demonstrates his skill and utter mastery of his craft by being able to grasp the reader from the title to the bitter end. And “To The River” is no different. We can all relate to the character through our mutual love for others and how the most common of streams can be beautiful.

“To The River” by Edgar Allan Poe – 1829 

Fair river! in thy bright, clear flow

Of crystal, wandering water,

Thou art an emblem of the glow

Of beauty — the unhidden heart —

The playful maziness of art

In old Alberto’s daughter;

But when within thy wave she looks —

Which glistens then, and trembles —

Why, then, the prettiest of brooks

Her worshipper resembles;

For in my heart, as in thy stream,

Her image deeply lies —

The heart which trembles at the beam

Of her soul-searching eyes.

Choices: Why I choose the pictures I did

picture #1

The poem describes this riverbed, and I wanted to find a river bed that was quite tranquil, calm, and beautiful.

picture #2

“Thou art an emblem of the glow of beauty — the unhidden heart.”

When I read this line, I always would imagine a golden heart shrouded in darkness. Only able to see by its golden glow.

picture #3

“The playful maziness of art of old Alberto’s daughter.”

When I read this line, I would think of abstract blotches of paint. To demonstrate the “maziness” Poe was writing.

picture #4

“but when within thy wave she looks — which glistens then, and trembles.”

this line always made me think of a beautiful eye that is just sparkling.

picture #5

“Why, then, the prettiest of brooks her worshipper resembles.”

I would always see a woman that is physically a part of the lake. That her body is the body of water Poe describes

picture #6

“For in thy heart as in thy stream.”

Edgar Allan Poe is describing that is heart is like a stream so I thought it would be fitting if a river would look like a heart.

picture #7

“her image deeply lies.”

I wanted to find an image that looks as if she vary image engraves into the man’s brain, that it would demonstrate not only her beauty but also his love for her.

picture #8

“The heart which trembles at the beam, of her soul-searching eyes.”

I love this picture because the eye looks as if it is staring directly into space, seeing the vary soul of the universe.

Music Choice:

Song used: Grace by Sophie Hutchings

The song has this beautiful melody which gradually builds like Poe’s love for this girl. And the beats just fall seamlessly into the rhythm of the poem. The song is tranquil, calm and elegant just like the poem.

 

Capital Punishment within the short story, ‘Two Fishermen’

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“Not in My Name: Why I Oppose Capital Punishment.” Historymaniacmegan. Megan, 28 Sept. 2015. Web. 5 Apr. 2017.

We a see man in the electric chair, about to face his death. And a hand on a lever with the control to kill this man or save him. The colors and the shapes tell us the whole story. The man in the electric chair with the bright yellow light shone on him is the light you see right before your death. Then you see the hand on the right side of the image; on a red background along with the jagged objects on the side making it apparent that it is a grave situation.

 

Canada has used the death penalty in the past, and the use of the death penalty has been on a steady decline ever since. And capital punishment is now non-existent in Canada. Canada in the 19th century used capital punishment for crimes of treason, rape, and murder. But, it wasn’t until a century later where the murder into capital and non-capital offenses was classified. Meaning, if you committed premeditated murder, or murdered a police officer, guard or ward on duty, then it was mandatory for you to be hanged. As the years progressed, the use of capital punishment became less and less, where it became almost nonexistent. But, in 1987 a motion has proposed the house of commons about reintroducing the capital penalty. The motion was declined. As you see the death penalty nowadays, it has become a mandatory life sentence of 25 years with no chance of parole. Since the abolition of the death penalty, murder rates have dropped significantly.

What year would it be in the story Two Fisherman if taken place in Canada? Thomas Delaney kills Mathew Rhinehart. He is receiving the death penalty for his actions. Thus the story must be before the abolition of the death penalty. Second, was this premeditated murder? Indeed, it was not. There is no evidence to show that Thomas Delaney knew that Mathew Rhinehart was going to rape his wife. Therefore, this murder was entirely incentivized. Mathew Rhinehart’ profession is still unknown but during his murder wouldn’t a police officer have a pistol on him? Ultimately, this murder must have taken place before 1961. Furthermore, in the story Two Fisherman there are cars in the story. Thus, the story must have taken place between 1908 (the first car was released) – 1960.

Thomas Delaney should not be killed for his actions. It is evident Thomas is not a threat to society. Notably, Thomas did not kill for blood lust; he killed because he saw that his wife’ life was in danger. Besides, Thomas kills Mathew because it was too much of a risk for Thomas to have left Mathew to his intentions. We already knew Mr. Mathew’ intentions. Therefore, Thomas had to make a quick decision, and he chose to kill one life to save another. Notably, not the actions of a killer, moreover, a hero. Thus, giving this hero the death penalty would be an act of complete injustice. The human aspect must always be intertwined with the law.

Food and Me (Norma’s Seafood and Steak)

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Norma’s Seafood & Steak 

The Steak isn’t the only thing that’s well done.

Zachary Fletcher February 1st 2017

Food and Me

Great service and great food is just a small snippet of what’s to come when you go to Norma’s Seafood and Steak.

Let’s talk about location. It’s walking distance from all of the major hotels in the Seaside Coast, and the smell just walking up to the restaurant is magnificent. The pungent crisp salt air with the echoes of the roaring sea, truly is incredible. As you come closer to the restaurant you notice it’s unique charm. The sea blue paint with the miniature lighthouse on top; amazing. Now what’s a restaurant without good food? Don’t worry, Norma’s Seafood and Steak has it all. With a menu that screams “I’m delicious”, it’s impossible to choose a bad meal. What I absolutely love is there clam chowder. It is heaven in a bowl. It’s simple, it’s smart, it’s delicious and it has won many awards. You can smell each ingredient is fresh. The broth; thick and creamy, the clams; soft and salty, the potatoes; big and beautiful and on a cold day in Oregon it is an absolute treat to have. Served with a beautiful slice of rye what more can you ask for?

Then my favourite entree, the crab cakes. If you couldn’t tell already Norma’s Seafood and Steak is big on fresh ingredients and their crab cakes or no exception. That means, crab you could have sworn was just taken from the sea and cooked for your royal demand. As you cut into the tender, scrumptious crab cake and bring closer to your salivating mouth you can smell the roasted red peppers and the hint of the garlic aioli. Once it hits your tongue, you’re in flavour city as it melts in your mouth all you can feel. Is pure joy. Delicious.

People go to restaurants for a lot of different reasons. Maybe it’s because of the great food, maybe it’s because they like one specific server or great service in general, or maybe it makes you feel at home. At Norma’s Seafood and Steak I believe it’s a mix of all three. The food (as previously discussed) is incredible but the service at Norma’s Seafood and Steak is text book definition of what great service should be. Always greeted with a smile that will melt your heart faster than butter on a lobster tail and always taken care of by the lovely servers. And the atmosphere is always pleasant and warm. Like a hug from a close friend. You should always feel invited when coming to Norma’s Seafood and Steak.

All wrapped up in a rustic, coastal setting and you have one fantastic place to eat.

In conclusion, I highly recommend you try out Norma’s Seafood and Steak if you are ever in Seaside, Oregon, you’ll be sure to have a great meal for a better price.

Yelp Review: Dominic Aidouni, Keg

I would enjoy the keg a lot more if it weren’t so expensive. Great quality of food but be prepared to empty out your wallet.

The Trial of Marshmallow Tower

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img_0963

For our first assignment we had to make the tallest tower possible that could support a marshmallow using only spaghetti 100cm of string and 100cm of tape.

As depicted in the photo we didn’t win.

Needless to say I did learn some things. The structural integrity of spaghetti and all the factors that go into knocking down a spaghetti tower. The natural factor of gravity, the interaction between objects due to their mass. In this case the mass of the marshmallow was not supported by the integrity of our spaghetti.

To conclude, just like the London bridge our spaghetti tower came falling down…

Thank you, Zachary

Math 10 Week reflection

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image

This was taken in the reflection booklet #4.

And I realized something that helped me throughout all the other questions. I was looking at perpendicular all wrong and equations for that matter. It’s a step process

#1 perpendicular, you need to find slope

#2 you must accommodate the equation accordingly.

#3 understand that if your end result does not look like an equation. You might’ve done something wrong.