Blog #11 Get a picture of alternation of generations put it in your blog and explain how it relates to plants

The alternation of generations basically describes the life cycle of a plant. It is how many plants and algae go through sexual reproduction. Life cycles, such as those of plants, with alternating haploid and diploid phases can be referred to as diplohaplontic (the equivalent terms haplodiplontic, diplobiontic or dibiontic are also in use). Life cycles, such as those of animals, in which there is only a diploid phase are referred to as diplontic. (Life cycles in which there is only a haploid phase are referred to as haplontic.) There are many possible variations on the fundamental elements of a life cycle which has alternation of generations. Each variation may occur separately or in combination, resulting in a bewildering variety of life cycles. 


http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/A/Alternation.html

Blog #10 Why is dissection an important part of a biology curriculum? Which animals and/or plants should be included in biological studies?

Dissection is an important part of biology because it offers hands on experience for the students that take part in it. It promotes the fundamentals of field biology and the basic fact that students are allowed to see the insides of an organism and understand further how the organs and such work. To be able to see the internals of an organism is a big part of the study of life because it gives a visual example of how things work inside the life form. I believe that euthanized frogs and other small animals that are abundant in nature should be able to be used in labs for dissection. Any life form that offers a good example of what living things look like on the inside, and are very abundant in nature, and can be euthanized correctly.

Blog 9 Define the different forms of community interaction: competition, commensalism, mutualism, predation, parasitism Give an example and a picture for each

Competition:
In ecology, the interaction between two or more organisms, or groups of organisms, that use a common resource in short supply. 

Sea Anenomes compete for the territory in tide pools


Commensalism- In ecology, commensalism is a class of relationship between two organisms where one organism benefits but the other is neutral (there is no harm or benefit).

Barnacles attaching to scallops, not harming them. 


Mutualism- Mutualism is the way two organisms biologically interact where each individual derives a fitness benefit

A hummingbird benefitting from a flower, however the flower also benefits from it by getting pollinated.


Mutualism- In ecology, predation describes a biological interaction where a predator (an organism that is hunting) feeds on its prey (the organism that is attacked).

Praying mantis eating a bee. 


Parasitism- A type of symbiotic relationship between organisms of different species where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host.

Brood parasitism, on the egg. 

Blog #8 Ecology: How can we stop overpopulation in any given area?

To stop overpopulation in any given area, we must advocate the use of apparatuses that prevent birth, such as: condoms, birth control pill, abortions, etc. In many places, abortion is actually outlawed and therefore the baby must come out. So, we must advocate condoms or birth control pills in some way. According to an experiment started some time ago, if we gave out condoms for free somehow, more people would use them, and therefore, less births would occur. 

"In 2005, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) made free condoms available to organizations through a Web-based ordering system. In 2006, we interviewed managers and patrons about free condom availability, acquisition, and use in venues where people at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus congregate. DOHMH condom distribution increased from 5.8 million in 2004 to 17.3 million in 2006. Overall, managers reported making condoms available at 76% (309/409) of high-priority venues, but only at 40% of gay bars. Among patrons who saw free condoms, 80% (280/351) reported taking them; 73% (205/280) of those who reported taking them also reported using them. A simple, Web-based ordering system dramatically increased condom distribution. In the venues we sampled, the majority of patrons acquired and used free condoms when available and visible, suggesting that increasing free condom availability may increase use." 


http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/aids/facts/condoms/nyscondom.htm