...Is ‘Synthetic Biology’ Exciting or Terrifying? Synthetic biology is often referred to as being a combination of engineering, chemistry and biology. Synthetic biology is defined as being either the design and construction of new biological parts, devices and systems or the re-design of existing, natural biological systems. This means that a wide range of experimental and tested techniques are used to alter existing biological systems or create new ones. This could mean altering the DNA of a bacterium or inhibiting a material with microorganisms, the possibilities really do stretch even the wildest of imaginations. There are many different levels of synthetic biology, based on the size of the structures involved ranging from a molecular level to multiple organism system. This does not necessarily affect complexity though, all synthetic biology research is proving to be very complicated and difficult but interesting and exciting none-the-less. There are some very interesting and very exciting ideas that scientists have deemed theoretically possible and are currently researching. A lot of these ideas are potentially very beneficial, some to the environment, some to human and animal health, and some to manufacturing. Although still very much unexplored, these theories seem exciting and interesting and make synthetic seem as though it is the future of science. However, there are some ideas that become more ethically and morally controversial, not to mention may have negative...
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...Lecture 01 Nature & Scope of Biological Science What is Biology? A brief history. Biology today. Group of organisms being studied. Approach taken to the study of organisms. New definition of Biology. Why study Biology? Aspects of Science Science has two aspects. It is both (1) a body of knowledge and (2) a method used for discovering new knowledge. What is biology? The word biology comes from the Greek words bios, which means life, and logos, which means thought. Thus, biology is the science that deals with the study of life. Origin of Life |According to this theory, about 15 billion years ago (15,000,000,000) the Universe was nothing more than a very small speck of mass. This speck| |was probably no bigger than the head of a pin. Everything in the Universe, all the galaxies, stars, planets, and even the matter making up your| |body, was squished up tightly in this tiny space. | |Eventually, after a very long time, this speck exploded. All of a sudden, in a giant flash of unimaginable heat and power, the Universe was | |born. Over a period of billions and billions of years, the Universe became what we see today. Slowly stars began to form, and around these | |stars planets formed. | |About 4.6 billion years ago our Earth looked very different...
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...Research Essay Viability of Marine Biology as a Major When deciding on a major for my college education, I had to find a field both in demand and it had to be a field I would like to spend the rest of my life in. I have always had a love of the animals in sea and several years ago had an opportunity to go to Sea World in San Diego. Recalling this trip and the recollection of seeing the dolphins and whales perform actually helped me make the decision to pursue a career in Marine Biology as a marine biologist. That brought me to the essence of this essay. How much education is required and does the marine biology field offer ample job opportunities and is there plenty of growth for future jobs? Also need to look at where those jobs are available, where I might have to move to. So I will first look at the education needed and the marine biology programs. I will then evaluate the job market now and in the future of this niche field. I will also exam the pay within this field and find out how the pay is derived as my research has shown that much of the money in this field of study originates different sources than a regular paycheck. There are several aspects to getting an education in marine biology. One need to look at the classes required and what schools are available, as well as where the best schools are located. A person majoring in the marine biology field needs to plan on taking many different types of animal biology and physiology classes. There is a much...
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...As subjective as it is, it was already influenced by insights from colleagues in the academia as well as students exposed to technology use in their classrooms. 1. Every Biology teacher is unique in terms of personal characteristics, educational background, attitudes, beliefs, and use of educational technology. 2. Biology requires a “discipline-specific” use of technology in the delivery of pedagogical content. Existing educational technology tools in schools which may be suitable for other fields of study will not always work efficiently when teaching Biology. 3. The level of Educational Technology use by Biology Teachers in the Philippines is low as even in rich/ industrialized countries, there is infrequent use of educational technology tools. 4. A Biology Teacher’s effectiveness and efficiency is directly proportional to his/her use of technology especially those focused on multimedia instruction. 5. Teachers cannot rely on schools to train them. They must start within themselves if they are competent enough or use an instructional video self-training package that can not only teach but also motivate...
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...seven cardinal principles is obvious. The world is fast becoming scientific in thinking and behaviors that without good knowledge of science, it might be difficult for people to adequately function in it. The purpose of exposing children to science instruction right from primary school level is not necessarily to turn them into scientist per se but to provide favorable scientific attitudes of ‘finding out’ and ‘hands-on‘ and to enable them raise questions about things that intrigue them. In a study on the impact of science on the society, Bertrand & Russell (1952) have shown that our time is an age of science. Science affects every aspect of our lives; what we eat and what we wear, what we do as work and what we do as play; what we think and what we feel; even how we are born and how we die. Few moments in our lives, we are touched by the products and processes of science. Because of the scientific nature of our society and the individual needs of its members, every person, in order to function...
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...Student Academic Achievement in Biology: Lessons and Policy Implications Jacinta A. Opara European School Science Project, 18140 Granada, Spain Abstract: Three research questions with null hypotheses guided the study with the aid of a quasi experimental research design. These students were randomly assigned to two groups (treatment and control group). Treatment group were those taught biology using the sensitized inquiry teaching method while conventional method (lecture) was used for the control group. (1) Biology Achievement Test (BAT) was developed on the following units in biology, flower pollination, muscle structure and function and seed germination. All these were drawn from anatomy and physiology of flowering plants and animal physiology in the biology textbook of SS1, to measure the initial and terminal academic achievement of the students. (2) Lesson notes were prepared on the above mentioned units using the inquiry teaching method and the conventional method using a pre - test, post - test experimental treatment. Thus, it is the contention of the author that the inquiry approach would enhance students’ achievement in biology, hence the thrust of this study. Key words: Inquiry teaching method Conventional method INTRODUCTION Achievement Biology Gender Location explanations from their observations (evidence) by integrating what they already know with what they have learned. They learn discrete biology concepts and skills and how to solve problems using practical...
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...Factors in the Performance of Biology Subject in Secondary Schools in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya Wabuke Joy Mukhwana Chepkoilel University College, Department of Science Education, P. O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya. ___________________________________________________________________________ Abstract This paper focuses on the student-related factors that influence performance of students in Biology in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in Eldoret municipality. The study was conducted through an ex-post facto design. A total of ten secondary schools were sampled. Target respondents were Form Three students and teachers of Biology (those teaching Form Three) within the municipality. The study sample (which was made up of 225 respondents; 200 students and 25 teachers) was obtained using stratified sampling. Simple random sampling was then used to choose the streams and particular students who participated in the study. Purposive sampling was used to obtain only the students who study Biology. The data was collected using questionnaires, observations and interviews and analysed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) computer programme. The results were presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. It was established that student-related factors affecting performance of Biology in Eldoret Municipality are: primary school Science which provides a requisite background for Biology at secondary school level; interest in Biology (theory and practical) provides...
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...opinion of parent, teacher or friend., this is mimicry or imitation, which also has a part to play in the teaching and learning situation. In this respect, the learner draws from his teacher’s education to inform his own attitude which may likely affect his earning outcomes. In his observational theory, Bandura (1971) demonstrated that behavior are acquire by watching another (the model, teacher parent, monitor, friend) that performs the behavior. The model display it and the learner observes and tries to imitate it. Teachers are invariably, role models whose behaviours are easily copied by students. What teachers like or dislike, appreciate and how they feel about their learning or studies could have a significant effect on their students. Unfortunately, however, many teacher seldom realize that how they teach how they behave and how they interact with students can be more paramount than what they interact with students can be attitudes directly what they teach. In a nut shell, teachers’ attitudes directly affect students’ attitudes. Teachers attitude are in turn, influenced by their culture and belief system. Teachers’ attitude towards their students along. When the learners exhibits the expected behavior or response, the value attached determines very significantly the effectiveness of the learning process in any aspect of education. Gangoli cited in Igwe (2002) stipulates that for teaching and learning process of science to be interesting...
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...Biology From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia For other uses, see Biology (disambiguation). Biology deals with the study of the many varieties of living organisms. Clockwise from top left: Salmonella typhimurium, Phascolarctos cinereus, Athyrium filix-femina, Amanita muscaria, Agalychnis callidryas, and Brachypelma smithi Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy.[1] Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines. Among the most important topics are five unifying principles that can be said to be the fundamental axioms of modern biology:[2] 1. Cells are the basic unit of life 2. New species and inherited traits are the product of evolution 3. Genes are the basic unit of heredity 4. An organism regulates its internal environment to maintain a stable and constant condition 5. Living organisms consume and transform energy. Subdisciplines of biology are recognized on the basis of the scale at which organisms are studied and the methods used to study them: biochemistry examines the rudimentary chemistry of life; molecular biology studies the complex interactions of systems of biological molecules; cellular biology examines the basic building block of all life, the cell; physiology examines the physical and chemical functions of the tissues, organs, and organ systems of an organism; and ecology...
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...dilemmas methods. The ethics case presented involves Maluvius University, AADSB (American Association of departments and schools of Biology) and the visiting committee deans. The case presents issues of “Saying things you know are not true”, “Giving or allowing false impressions”, “Buying influence or engaging in conflict of interest”, “Hiding or Divulging information”, “Violating rules”, “Condoning unethical actions”, and “Balancing ethical dilemmas.” The dean of the Biology department at Maluvuis University is trying to get the University’s biology department in one of the top 40 biology departments in the country. It was accredited before and needs not to be accredited once every ten years. The deciding association which does the accreditation is AADSB (American Association of departments and schools of Biology). The process consists of submitting documents by the University and an in-department visit by the panel of Biology deans. The most important deciding factor for accreditation is the ratio of full-time faculty to part-time faculty. The dean of the Maluvius University plays an important role in University matters and therefore would have a great influence over the accreditation of the Biology department. Having the knowledge of the fact that there are more adjuncts teaching than AADSB (American Association of departments and schools of Biology) would like to see at the University, the dean is “hiding or divulging information” i.e. failing to disclose the fact that the...
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...for teachers to follow. Not only do they show the competences a teacher must have, but they show what we must always be mindful of when conducting ourselves in the classroom, and any other school activities. As an aspiring Biology teacher, it’s important for me to be well versed in these principles, as I will be focusing on INTASC Principle 1, 2, and 5. INTASC Principle 1 focuses on Content Pedagogy. As stated by the Ball State University website, “The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teachers and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students. FL Version - Language teachers are proficient in the language they teach. They understand language as a system, how students learn a language, and how language and culture are linked. They are knowledgeable about the cultures of the people who speak the language. Using this knowledge, they create learning experiences that help students develop language proficiency and build cultural understanding.” What this means, is that the content I cover in the classroom must be meaningful to my students. I must be able to be competent in my subject area of science/biology. As a Biology teacher I need to make the content meaningful, which means that I must make subjects such as Evolution, Cell Respiration, etc. meaningful to them. There can be some conflicts. With a subject area such as Biology it can be hard to make some content...
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...Biology and Credit Crunch Biology is the science of organic life and the natural world. Even though it might seem at first that biology and finance might be poles apart and have nothing in common with each other, it is t is something that is fast helping economists in building various new models to understand how the financial sector works. It has also been noted that many scholars believe that a better understanding of biology in terms of our ecology could have worked to warn us of the impending credit crunch that occurred in 2008 and could have helped us prevent it from happening. This might sound like something that is impossible; however, some scientists that are working with the Bank of England believe that biological sciences have a lot of lessons to teach us about finance. In this respect, such scientists urge people to think out of the box and be able to better understand their ideas about finance and biology. In this respect, we find that experts that delve in the financial aspects of our lives are looking at other disciplines to help them better understand the workings of finance and the financial world. Just like the credit crunch has an effect on biology in terms of biotech research (Mitchell 359), the biological systems also had an effect on how we perceive the financial systems. It has to be noted that the banking industry has been borrowing ideas from science for a long time. For instance, we find that the computer technological revolution that occurred in...
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...Table of Contents: FHSB 1214 FHSC 1214 Biology I Cell Biology Introduction Practical 1 Practical 1 Cell Biology Biological Studies I molecules I Practical 2 Practical 2 Cell Biology Biological Studies II molecules II Practical 3 Cell Biology Studies III Practical 4 Cell Biology Studies IV Practical 8 Cell Biology Studies VIII Practical 5 Cell Biology Studies V Practical 6 Cell Biology Studies VI Practical 7 Cell Biology Studies VII Practical 9 Cell Biology Studies IX Practical 10 Cell Biology Studies X - Experiment Description Page Writing of Lab Reports Identification of Biomolecules 5 13 Identification of Unknown Carbohydrate Solutions and Investigation of Action of Saliva and HCl in Carbohydrate Solution at Two Different Temperatures Investigation of the Effects of Catalase Concentration on Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition 20 Synthesis of Starch Using an Enzyme Extracted from Potato Tuber Investigation of the Effects of Different Catalytic Conditions on Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition Microscopy 27 Practical 6 Cell studies II Practical 7 Cell studies III Extraction of Cell Organelles by Cell Fractionation Determination of Solute Potential of Potato Cell Sap 47 Practical 8 Cell studies IV Effects of Different Treatments on Stained Potato Cells 64 Practical 9 Energetics I Respiration of Germinating Beans 67 Microscopic Examination of Cells at Various Stages...
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...Ways Biology Plays a Role in Everyday Life and Benefits Society A. Biology is used by doctors to treat diseases in humans and animals. Farmers use biology to understand their crops. Marine biologists use biology to protect and understand ocean life. Nutritionists use biology to understand the way bodies interact with food. Health inspectors use biology to set standards for food safety. B. Biology is a person's daily life. The food you eat was produced using biological processes. There are quadrillions of biochemical reactions going on in your body at any given moment. Your environment is affected by biological processes, many organisms and chemicals found in your environment affect you. C. Any drug you ever take to cure your headache or eliminate an infection was developed using biology (and chemistry & etc.). Making breads and cheeses depends on biological processed carried out by yeasts and molds. All the oxygen you breathe was generated by biological processes (specifically, photosynthesis). Virtually all the energy you use was created by biological processes. (Oil and coal are both ultimately derived from plant matter.) D. Biology connects to my life due to many factors; for one my school is almost completely surrounded by a swamp in which, occasionally, I see its various organisms and plant species. Another way biology connects to my everyday life is the bread I eat, in which before it’s made into a sandwich (or even into bread for that matter)...
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...DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA EFFECT OF STUDENTS’ IMPROVISED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ON SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ACHIEVEMENT IN BIOLOGY. BY MBEREKPE AUGUSTINE, CHUKWUNYEREMUNWA REG NO: PG/M.ED/09/50813 SUPVERISOR: PROF: U. M. NZEWI JANUARY, 2013 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Background of the Study Science has been reorganized as the bedrock on which modern day technological breakthrough is hanged. The major goal of science education is to develop scientifically literate individuals that are concerned with high competence for rational thoughts and actions. The objectives of science education in this country according to Maduekwe (2006) include the need to prepare students to: Observe and explore the environment, explain simple natural phenomena, develop scientific attitudes including curiosity, critical reflection and objectivity, apply the skills and knowledge gained through science to solve everyday problems in the environment, develop self-confidence and self-reliance through problem solving activities in science. Nowadays, countries all over the world, especially the developing ones like Nigeria, are striving hard to develop technologically and scientifically, since the world is turning Scientific and all proper functioning of lives depend greatly on Science. According to Ogunleye (2006), Science is a dynamic human activity concerned...
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