Introduction to Evolution

This is my introductory blog post about the evolution unit we are currently studying. I hope that I will learn a ton of cool & interesting facts throughout this unit.

Evolution is a process of change over time. For example, modern, fast computers are very popular today, while the Nintendo DS was once famous (in Dr. G’s childhood). So, we have a fast technical evolution of the whole world that makes kids become more oriented on electronics and less on the environment. 3D view movies, videogames, etc are all popular today. But what will happen in the future? How will evolution affect our future? 

Does evolution happen in one person’s life? Or does it happen only when the environment changes? Genes direct that change that results in the people evolution, but when and how does it happen? For example, if we lose our atmosphere, and we have tons of radiation that destroys our DNA, a lot of people will certainly die out, but the ones that might survive will maybe have that thick crusty skin all over their body. 

One question the class couldn’t figure out: 2,000 years ago, sloths were gigantic. If pandas and bears are huge, why aren’t we like them now? I think that the main reason for that is the evolution that people have passed through and the animals didn’t, or they did, but much slower than we did. People aren’t so big because being big means eating more food - and there is lesser and lesser food in places, and being big means to be slower and more visible to predators; so, evolution helps us survive. 

Whales are in danger because of pollution- but not only that, people are also hunting them down. If the ocean was filled with whales, there would be nothing else in the ocean- so there would be no balance. If all the whales are gone, then the ocean would be filled up with something else-so we really need balance in everything!

During science class, we were watching a movie about Charles Darwin. Here are some facts that I learned about him:

- Charles Darwin was one of the most important figures in the history of science. 

- He is the father of the theory of evolution. As a young man, he was a doctor along with his father, and went to study medicine in the Edinburgh University. However, he neglected this subject because he thought that doing surgery and watching blood was boring and disgusting, so he decided to study taxonomy (the classification of living things). That’s where his life took a turn. Thanks to Charles Darwin, we know about evolution today.

 

- Charles Darwin is extremely famous for his work on natural selection (the idea that all species of life have evolved over time from common ancestors). This process makes favorable traits become more common in successive generations of living things while at the same unfavorable traits become less common. 

- In 1859, Charles Darwin published a book called ’On the Origin of Species’ where he explained his theory of natural selection and the beginning of evolution.

Reflection on Human Reproduction and Sexual Education

During this interesting and unexpected unit, I’ve learned many things about sexual education and intercourse. Below I will mention some of the things we studied.

- A human body usually develops inside its mother for 38-40 weeks. During the first eight weeks it is called an embryo. From the ninth to the thirty-eighth week it is called a fetus. Different organs and systems develop at different times during these 38 weeks. 

- The most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) are Herpes, HIV/AIDS, Chlamydia, Hepatitis, Syphilis, and Gonorrhea- some of them (such as HIV) are very dangerous and can cause death. The most endangered people are from developing countries because of their lack of money and education. 

- Abstinence is a type of ‘protection’ that prevents us from getting sexually transmitted diseases. It means: DO NOT HAVE SEX or have it with a reliable, a really reliable and trustworthy person! 

- I learned all the body organs names that I need to know- now I don’t need to embarrass myself when I go to the doctor by saying silly nicknames for certain reproductive organs. 

All the facts above have helped me learn more and understand deeper knowledge about sexual education. Also, the essay and the brochure that we did helped me understand how much sex ed is important in the case of sexually transmitted diseases, especially if the person is pregnant (the picture of children under the consequences of these diseases are really scary.)

Relationships

Relationships are very important in a person’s daily life. They’re not mandatory- if you’re not in a relationship, you won’t die, but you’ll feel lonely and sad; and this is one of the aspects of a relationship which falls under emotions and affection. 

Pros (A healthy relationship):

- Having a companion and feeling secure

- The feeling of being loved. Knowing you have someone who cares about you is amazing and you feel like you can talk to them about anything.

- Whenever you are troubled or lonely and insecure, you always have a partner who will make you feel the opposite. You can always rely on him and talk just about anything.

- Having many things in common is a bonus

- Having your partner be a best friend to you. Normally, this is how a real, true and deep relationship would start- it would start with being best buds.

- You also learn a lot about yourself by spending time with the person you love

- Sharing life’s burden and being happy in every breath you take. 

Cons (Unhealthy relationship):

- Long distance relationships are unhealthy and you should not be in one if that’s the case.

- Jealousy may become an issue- this is an extremely uncomfortable feeling.

- If a certain family member doesn’t like your partner- that may be a huge issue as well.

- Cheating and no trust

- Sometimes your partner may be lazy to do something for you- or get lazy to do just about anything regarding hard work

- Bad attitude and being passionate about hating everything can get serious

- Fights & arguments 

As you can see, relationships can be healthy and fun- but also unhealthy and boring. This is just one fragment of a relationship’s factors. Sexual abuse and rape are dangerous and can make you feel reckless. Threats and somebody forcing you to do something that is against your will is extremely over the line and unhealthy. What can you do to stop this? Who will you tell and how will you tell them? First of all, you should tell someone (family, a guardian, a teacher or a therapist) as soon as possible before it’s too late. They will surely be able to help you in any case of an emergency. 

Current Events

 

Genes tell old story
Ancient cells hold evidence of a massive die-off of Native Americans
http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2011/12/genes-tell-old-story/

                                                                      Stephen Ornes

 Jovana Curcic 8B

First of all, a short introduction about Genetics: 

As we learned about DNA and Genetics throughout this unit, cells make up every part of our body- and in those cells there is DNA, which can be up to 3 meters long, but that DNA squishes and becomes a tiny speck which we can barely even see with microscopes. Humans also have genes, which determine the person’s appearance and attributes, how tall or short he is, skin, hair and eye color, etc. Those genes can be inherited (which means someone could have gotten them from older relatives) and some people can be carriers and carry those genes with them - which doesn’t necessarily mean that those genes are visible.

This article talks about the discovery in the genes that has approved that the arrival of Europeans settlers to undiscovered countries has brought diseases to the native population, which died of new diseases that came along with the settlers. The data found in the ancient cells have just approved the things they already know from the  500 year old documents that recorded the same things, but now they found even more evidence of this discovery. This data has approved that the population of Native Americans have been drastically decreased when the Europeans moved and colonized from Europe to North America. Scientists discovered that as soon as the Europeans arrived to the new continent, the Native Americans started dying because of their diseases (smallpox infections). Scientists used statistics (which involve mathematical studies) to determine how much of the population of Native Americans has experienced death after the Europeans' arrival. The contrast showed the number of people who died. 

I believe this article has approved what we are faced with every day – extinction of species is happening all over the world, not only in plants and animals but in the human population too! Also, this discovery has made me realize what a small world we live in – a place where everything is influenced and connected!