Sharon+Kim

Week 1: Are Biotech Foods Safe? Genetically modified (GM) crops first appeared commercially in the mid-1990s to what seemed a bright and promising future. Resistant to pests and the herbicides used to control weeds, these new crops were so popular with farmers that millions of acres were planted with them by the turn of the millennium. Now, U.S. is the highest Genetically Modified food producing country in the world.

====Experts say **60% to 70% of processed foods on U.S. grocery shelves have genetically modified ingredients.** The seeds of most eaten food such as tomatoes, corn, beans, and wheat are genetically modified. Most of these ingredients are frequently used to feed animals as well. Genetically modified foods have both its pros and cons: Economically, it is stable and provides a constant production of food. Genetically engineered crops are safe, resist disease better, and allow better taste and nutrition benefits. So, why is the topic of GMO agriculture in such a big debate?====

80% of American crops and shelved foods contain GMO ingredient, yet are not labeled. If genetically modified foods are so great, then it shouldn't be a problem, right? False. While Genetically Modified food does allow humans to control the profits and the process of production, the exact ability to control the production and its process disrupts nature and its environment, then harms the consumers, the humans, who control it.


 * 1) ===By growing plants or raising livestock in environmental conditions that normally wouldn’t support them, there is the potential of irrevocably damaging that environment.===
 * 2) ===GMO foods take just as much effort to grow, meaning that there is no real economic value to growing GMO foods when compared to non-GMO foods.===
 * 3) ===Consumption of GMO foods increases the risks of food-based allergies in people. If someone develops an allergy to soy because of GMO efforts, then if livestock eats that GMO soy as well, that person would have a high probability of an allergic reaction from eating the animal meat.===
 * 4) ===GMO allows crops to survive through herbicides and pesticides. However, this eventually leads to "super weeds" or "super pests" that adapt to these GMO foods and require more spraying of herbicides and leads to intense poisoning of the soil.===
 * 5) ===GMO crops may contaminate non GMO crops.===
 * 6) ===GMOs can potentially cause serious environmental damage which may not be reversed in short time.===
 * 7) ===Although it is not very clear, GMOs can influence our own genetics and biology. Micro RNA of the GMO food can survive the digestive process and go into the blood stream, therefore potentially altering the genetics of the our gut microorganism.===

Through advanced bio technology, companies are able to use scientists to genetically modify the genes of the seeds and patent them to create much stronger plants. As we have learned in the second quarter, the genes are modified through DNA gene splicing of biotechnology, also called genetic engineering. This technique merges DNA from different species, creating an unstable combination of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that cannot occur in nature. For example, Genetically Modified Organisms, such as strawberries, are injected with salmon genes to produce strawberries that can grow in the cold and out stand pesticide and herbicides. Also, corn has been genetically modified with a Bt pesticide toxin to prevent destruction by pests. However, this toxin is within every corn cell and cannot be washed off. So, when our families are eating this GMO corn, they are also digesting Bt pesticide toxin with every bite. Yum.

===__ Due to these harmful possibilities that GMO brings to environment and human populations, many people have petitioned and became active in the non-GMO movement. Conveniently, on Saturday May 24th, 3 PM in Philadelphia, there was a walk for "GMO Free PA", so I visited! Here are some pictures from today! __===

media type="custom" key="26026778" In this TEDx talk, Thierry explains the rising phenomenon of superweeds, genetic pollution, antibiotic resistance and food allergies, all attributable to GMO agriculture.

==**__ The benefits need to outweigh the risks when it comes to their mass production. In some areas, having access to GMO foods may make sense because resources are thin and people are dying from hunger. In other areas, however, the risks may outweigh the rewards. Where do you stand on GMO foods __**==

Week 2: Cause and Effects of Climate Change = = **__"Seeing is Believing"__** This quote is so incredibly misleading when it comes to ecology. Just because we can't see global warming or the climate changes and their impacts on our ecology right in front of our faces, does NOT mean it does not exist! Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment around the world. Climate has a detrimental effect on even the littlest forms of life, so even the delicate change can cause a HUGE change!

Ever since 5th grade, I have seen commercials and companies post "Save the Whales" or "Save the Polar Bear" signs. (Anyone remember Hayden Penettiere's campaign?) On the lighter scale, this warns of the consequences that the climate brings upon the cute, big animals. However, as an educated 11th grader of Mrs. Lilliendahl's AP Biology class student, the topic definitely has a heavier content and is crucial in knowing the effects that humans and nature play on our ecology and its impact on not just cute, big animals, but human population as well.

 So, what is so threatening about climate changes? Living in America, we barely feel any climate changes. Heavier snow storms in the winter is NOTHING compared to what the rest of the world is feeling.


 * Q: What IS so threatening? Why does it even matter? **

** A: Climate change is already beginning to transform life on Earth. **

Loss of Biodiversity Decreasing ice, Rising Seas
 * //**Declining Polar Bears**//- They are predicted to be extinct by 2050. However, as top predators, the ecosystem is highly dependent on the polar bears to control the population of other species. If polar bears decline, the population of seals will increase, which will cause decrease in certain types of fish in the Arctic region.
 * //**Acidifying Oceans**//- About one-third of the CO2 pollution from smokestacks and tailpipes is absorbed by the world's oceans, where it forms carbonic acid. A more acidic environment has a dramatic effect on some calcifying species, including oysters, clams, sea urchins, shallow water corals, deep sea corals, and calcareous plankton. When shelled organisms are at risk, the entire food web may also be at risk.
 * //**Coral Bleaching**//- Coral provides zooxanthellae with a protected living environment in direct sunlight, and also contributes carbon dioxide and [[image:coral-bleaching.jpg width="332" height="103" align="right"]]ammonia to the zooxanthellae, which are necessary for __**photosynthesis**__. Decrease in photosynthesis activities in the ocean results in death of thousands of sea life from lack of oxygen produced and over-absorption of carbon dioxide
 * //**Shifting Habitats**//- As the mercury rises, plants and animals are shifting their ranges toward the poles and to higher altitudes, and migration patterns for animals as diverse as whales and butterflies are being disrupted.
 * **//Arctic Sea Ice is shrinking//**- The Arctic ice is predicted to shrink by mid-century. This causes more heat to be absorbed, since the ice cannot reflect the heat from the Sun. This could also lead to the freshwater runoff into the ocean disrupts part of a major circulation system known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. The AMOC carries warm surface water northward, giving Europe its mild climate.
 * **//Sea Level is rising//**- About 100 million people live within 3 feet of sea level.Sea level rise associated with climate change could displace tens of millions of people in low-lying areas, especially in developing countries. For example, a French island called Sandy, is now non-existent due to rising sea level.

Extreme Weather
 * Flooding
 * Drought
 * Hurricanes


 * Q: What is causing the climate changes?!! Humans?! >:( **
 * A: WRONG. Both human and natural activities cause climate changes/ global warming! **

Greenhouse Effect (flashback to summer 2013 FRQ #3)
 * **//Water Vapor//**- It is the most important feedback mechanisms to the greenhouse effect, since it increases heat bu[[image:udapbio/ag.jpg width="231" height="167" align="right"]]t also the possibility of precipitation
 * **//Carbon dioxide//**- It released through natural processes such as respiration and volcano eruptions and through human activities such as deforestation, land use changes, and burning fossil fuels. Human activities "force" climate changes in this way.
 * **//Methane//**- It is also released through both natural and human processes.It includes decomposition of wastes in landfills, agriculture, and especially rice cultivation, as well as ruminant digestion and manure management associated with domestic livestock.


 * Q: How do we possibly slow down this rate of climate changes? **
 * A: Decrease the release of Greenhouse gases such as Carbon Dioxide and Methane! **


 * decrease the burning of fossil fuels (driving cars/ generating electricity)- Ride bicycles or walk![[image:udapbio/You-Control-Climate-Change-773583_1.jpg width="223" height="113" align="right"]]
 * stop burning down forest for farm lands
 * reduce, reuse, recycle!
 * plant trees!

media type="custom" key="26110484" Top climate scientist James Hansen tells the story of his involvement in the science of and debate over global climate change. In doing so he outlines the overwhelming evidence that change is happening and why that makes him deeply worried about the future.

Remedy For the Upcoming Allergy Season: Water 75% of this world is made up of water. In our body muscle consists of 75% water,brain consists of 90% of water, bone consists of 22% of water, and blood consists of 83% water. Majority of life is made up of water. As one of the necessities, water has an amazing effect on variety aspects of life. The functions of water in human body are vital.Every cell in your body needs water from head to toe. That is why it is so important to drink enough fluid.

==As the summer allergy season is approaching, I'm sure we are all preparing ourselves for constant sneezes, runny nose, and watery eyes. Going back to the elements of water and its benefits, how can it help our allergies? ==

__Background information: __ <span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 150%;">As we have discussed in class, allergy is a result of oversensitive immune system. The allergic immune system misidentifies an otherwise innocuous substance as harmful, and then attacks the substance with a ferocity far greater than required.

media type="custom" key="26173430"

This video explains how the hypersensitive immune system responds to foreign objects.
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">So, what effects does water have on allergies? __**<span style="color: #003fff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Hydration is Key to Relieve Allergies. **__ <span style="color: #007fff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Hydration activates //histamine// production, which is strongly implicated in allergy. Histamine is vital because of its ability to conserve and distribute water on priority basis. Healthy, adequate hydration decreases the need & production of histamine. In dehydrated individuals, the overproduction of histamine suppresses the immune system, especially at it's core, the bone marrow.

<span style="color: #007fff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Lymph circulates white blood cells and nutrients to all of the body's tissues. It carries water and nutrients to the blood, and through the blood, to the cells of the body. Also, it carries the white blood cells and other immune system cells from the thymus and the bone marrow, throughout the body. By doing so, it removes toxins from the blood. <span style="color: #007fff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">The body needs water in order to produce lymph. Without lymph, your white blood cells and other immune cells would not be able to travel throughout the body to fight disease.
 * __<span style="color: #003fff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Water Helps Produce Lymph __**

<span style="color: #007fff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Drinking plenty of water ensures that your blood will carry plenty of oxygen to all the cells of your body. By getting plenty of oxygen, the body systems, especially the immune system, will function adequately. <span style="color: #007fff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Water allows your kidneys to remove toxins from your body. It allows your cells to take in nutrients, and it also allows them to expel waste products.
 * __<span style="color: #003fff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Water Oxygenates Blood and Flushes Toxins __**

===<span style="color: #fa5781; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">As we gave reviewed in class, although 75% of the Earth is made up of water, only 3% is drinkable. Because water has such detrimental effect and benefits (besides the fact that it is one of our necessities to live), it is crucial that we keep the environment "green" for the sake of our future generations. The benefits of water may not be evident immediately, but long term wise, staying hydrated and supplying the body with generous amount of water keeps the body systems stable. Don't forget to drink 6-8 cups of water daily, especially in the summer! ===

<span style="font-family: Webdings,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Thank you again to Mrs. Lil for organizing our trip to J&J. Our "tour guide", Jill, was fantastic and the things we learned from that trip was even more fantastic. It was so interesting to go into a workplace where all the things we learned throughout the year were being applied. Although I had to leave in the middle, I learned so much!