Honey Bee Project
Project Reflection:
Honey Bees are very important in our world, and we may not be able to survive without them. Honey bees do so much for humanity and most of us have no idea that the root cause of us eating meats, dairies, and cheeses is from the honey bee itself. For example, when the bees pollenate the flowers, it is directly responsible for 70% of the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc. If we do not have nuts do feed farm cattle, we will not be able to consume meats, dairies and cheeses. Then our diets would mainly consist of wheat, rice, and corn. So, if bees go extinct, humanity might be next....
For the honey bee project, I wanted to focus on beekeeping and specifically how the honey is treated and extracted. I learned about the extraction process and how an extractor is built for an affordable price. I also gained a lot of information on our use of honey outside from consumption. For example, we use it in medicine. For the final biology exhibition, I conducted a homemade 5 panel honey extractor. This extractor was built with primarily 2 bicycle rims, a trash can, and a metal rod. This project took a lot of effort and work outside of school, and resulted in a very good final piece (in my opinion). I think it looked good from not only my perspective but everyone else's perspective. The one thing I would've changed about this project would be securing the metal rod to the bicicle rims a little tighter so it doesn't spin as much. I could have only done this if I had more time to tweak things.
Honey Bees are very important in our world, and we may not be able to survive without them. Honey bees do so much for humanity and most of us have no idea that the root cause of us eating meats, dairies, and cheeses is from the honey bee itself. For example, when the bees pollenate the flowers, it is directly responsible for 70% of the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc. If we do not have nuts do feed farm cattle, we will not be able to consume meats, dairies and cheeses. Then our diets would mainly consist of wheat, rice, and corn. So, if bees go extinct, humanity might be next....
For the honey bee project, I wanted to focus on beekeeping and specifically how the honey is treated and extracted. I learned about the extraction process and how an extractor is built for an affordable price. I also gained a lot of information on our use of honey outside from consumption. For example, we use it in medicine. For the final biology exhibition, I conducted a homemade 5 panel honey extractor. This extractor was built with primarily 2 bicycle rims, a trash can, and a metal rod. This project took a lot of effort and work outside of school, and resulted in a very good final piece (in my opinion). I think it looked good from not only my perspective but everyone else's perspective. The one thing I would've changed about this project would be securing the metal rod to the bicicle rims a little tighter so it doesn't spin as much. I could have only done this if I had more time to tweak things.
Dissection Project
Project Reflection:
The animal I decided to dissect for this biology project was a spiny dogfish shark. I decided to work with this animal because first of all, it was appealing to me and stood out from the other options. I also wanted to know how specifically sharks breathe through their gills and how they oxygenate the water. I learned all about the external and internal anatomy of the spiny dogfish shark. Every organ in the shark has been memorized in my brain and I can talk about the nervous system, digestive system, circulatory system, etc. Through this dissection, I found that I am very good at memorizing information and I can work with dead animals without getting sick.
The animal I decided to dissect for this biology project was a spiny dogfish shark. I decided to work with this animal because first of all, it was appealing to me and stood out from the other options. I also wanted to know how specifically sharks breathe through their gills and how they oxygenate the water. I learned all about the external and internal anatomy of the spiny dogfish shark. Every organ in the shark has been memorized in my brain and I can talk about the nervous system, digestive system, circulatory system, etc. Through this dissection, I found that I am very good at memorizing information and I can work with dead animals without getting sick.
Crime Scene Investigation Project
In biology, our first project was the Crime Scene Investigation Project. This project began with our teacher, Colleen, introducing us to forensic science. We learned about exoneration and how DNA affected our justice system. The whole class was split up into 3 big crime scene groups. In each of those groups we paired up with random partner. We analyzed our crime scene and wrote a total of 4 evidence reports for each person. For example, the reports I wrote were about skeletal remains, mitochondrial DNA, blood evidence, and the coroner's report.
Skeletal remains are the remains of the vicim of the crime and we can determine a lot from just the bones. We can calculate the height of the victim, gender and approximately how long the body has been dead for. Mitochondrial DNA is the process of analyzing hair and/or teeth. This can help us with narrowing down the amount of victims in our crime scene which is very helpful. Blood evidence is how we identify our suspects and victims. For example we can type blood that has been around the crime scene and match it up with people that have the same kind of blood. This can help us find out the suspect of the crime. The last thing we had to write about was the Coroner's Report. This report was basically everything we have analyzed and learned from the body. It is how we record our data.
Forensic anthropology was probably the most interesting area to research and discover. It was interesting to see how much you could calculate just from the remains of the body. I really enjoyed writing about this, along with doing the actual procedure on the crime scene. I honestly thing though that there was too much writing in this project. It is more writing than we have done in humanities this year, and it was a bit overwhelming for a lot of us. I got a lot out of this project but I think that we could've learned all of this in a different way. I think I did really well on the labs and I studied very hard for the blood typing quiz in this class. I wish my effort I put into studying for the quizzes would reflect in my grade. I got a bad grade on it and am very upset by this.
Skeletal remains are the remains of the vicim of the crime and we can determine a lot from just the bones. We can calculate the height of the victim, gender and approximately how long the body has been dead for. Mitochondrial DNA is the process of analyzing hair and/or teeth. This can help us with narrowing down the amount of victims in our crime scene which is very helpful. Blood evidence is how we identify our suspects and victims. For example we can type blood that has been around the crime scene and match it up with people that have the same kind of blood. This can help us find out the suspect of the crime. The last thing we had to write about was the Coroner's Report. This report was basically everything we have analyzed and learned from the body. It is how we record our data.
Forensic anthropology was probably the most interesting area to research and discover. It was interesting to see how much you could calculate just from the remains of the body. I really enjoyed writing about this, along with doing the actual procedure on the crime scene. I honestly thing though that there was too much writing in this project. It is more writing than we have done in humanities this year, and it was a bit overwhelming for a lot of us. I got a lot out of this project but I think that we could've learned all of this in a different way. I think I did really well on the labs and I studied very hard for the blood typing quiz in this class. I wish my effort I put into studying for the quizzes would reflect in my grade. I got a bad grade on it and am very upset by this.
Blood Typing Report
Skylar Smith
Crime Scene: #2
Evidence Being Examined: Blood, Victims
Forensic Science Used: Blood Typing
Summary of the Science:
Before any blood analysis, the only thing scientists really had to rely on was their instincts. It wasn't until the 1820’s where the use of fingerprinting was invented. After, the technology started to advance and then blood typing came along. The most significant forms of blood typing were discovered in 1901 by Karl Landsteiner. Blood types are mostly used for forensic tests and evidence, meaning that we can use tests on potential suspects against unknown samples. Blood typing is also another way of eliminating suspects of a crime, linking suspects and a victim, and can also connect a suspect to a location.
There are 4 principal kinds of blood types which are O, A, B, and AB. Each one of these types is also split up either into a positive or a negative, which is commonly into categorized as Rh. Rh is a factor that is a type of protein on the surface of all red blood cells. The antigens in our body are proteins on the surface of our blood cells. Antigens can cause responses from our immune responses. Whereas, the antibodies are located in the blood plasma. Antibodies are our defenders and soldiers. They fight off all the intruders that come into our bodies. Moving on, statistics have shown that 42% of Americans are in the blood type, group A. 10% being in group B, 4% being in group AB, and 44% being in group O. Our bodies are made up of The interesting part about this is that we have a very good chance of eliminating and narrowing down the suspects to a crime from having the knowledge and technology about blood types. For example, if the suspect of the crime ran and broke through a window of the location, he or she may have been cut on his or her body and their blood may have remained on the broken window or around the location. This is a great example of associative evidence. Associative evidence is evidence that links people to a location.
To type blood, there are several steps. There are three anti-serums that are used in the process. These are Anti-A, Anti-B, and Anti-Rh. The first step in typing blood is using a micropipette to sample, lets say, blood sample 1. Then, put the sample of blood into pallet of three small wells. After that, take a drop of Anti-A, and put it in the first well, take a drop of Anti-B and put it in the second well and then take a drop of Anti-Rh in the last well and make sure you mix them. After approximately 30 seconds of waiting, there should be a change in the blood. The blood will either clump together or remain the same. Repeat this process for each sample of blood you have collected from the scene. The last step to do in this process is analyzing the type of blood from each sample by determining if there are clumps of blood in the certain well or not.
Scientists have recently seen advancements in blood typing. The advancements of blood typing have seen to skip an important step in the process, which was actually ‘typing’ the blood. This advancement of this process is called the immunocamouflage technique. This technique basically hides blood cells from antibodies that could set off a fatal immune reaction.
Today in crime scene #2, our group found a potential suspect of the crime. The potential suspect is James Newell. We found out that his blood matches the same blood that is under the nails of the victim, Nathan Herron, which is type B+. Today, we also discovered a new suspect, although he is a little crazy and has a history of mental illness. This man’s name is John Hannah, and he had been overheard by a prison guard that he was bragging about to a person that he and a friend killed Nathan Herron. Noting that the man is mentally ill, we still need to test his blood to see if it matches the blood underneath the nails of Nathan Herron, which is B+. If James Newell blood matches, we will take one step further and use DNA tests to determine if he was the murderer.
Sources Used:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_type#History
http://elearning.loyno.edu/resource/criminal-justice/blood-typing-and-modern-day-forensics
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110309113032.htm
http://anthro.palomar.edu/blood/ABO_system.htm
Crime Scene: #2
Evidence Being Examined: Blood, Victims
Forensic Science Used: Blood Typing
Summary of the Science:
Before any blood analysis, the only thing scientists really had to rely on was their instincts. It wasn't until the 1820’s where the use of fingerprinting was invented. After, the technology started to advance and then blood typing came along. The most significant forms of blood typing were discovered in 1901 by Karl Landsteiner. Blood types are mostly used for forensic tests and evidence, meaning that we can use tests on potential suspects against unknown samples. Blood typing is also another way of eliminating suspects of a crime, linking suspects and a victim, and can also connect a suspect to a location.
There are 4 principal kinds of blood types which are O, A, B, and AB. Each one of these types is also split up either into a positive or a negative, which is commonly into categorized as Rh. Rh is a factor that is a type of protein on the surface of all red blood cells. The antigens in our body are proteins on the surface of our blood cells. Antigens can cause responses from our immune responses. Whereas, the antibodies are located in the blood plasma. Antibodies are our defenders and soldiers. They fight off all the intruders that come into our bodies. Moving on, statistics have shown that 42% of Americans are in the blood type, group A. 10% being in group B, 4% being in group AB, and 44% being in group O. Our bodies are made up of The interesting part about this is that we have a very good chance of eliminating and narrowing down the suspects to a crime from having the knowledge and technology about blood types. For example, if the suspect of the crime ran and broke through a window of the location, he or she may have been cut on his or her body and their blood may have remained on the broken window or around the location. This is a great example of associative evidence. Associative evidence is evidence that links people to a location.
To type blood, there are several steps. There are three anti-serums that are used in the process. These are Anti-A, Anti-B, and Anti-Rh. The first step in typing blood is using a micropipette to sample, lets say, blood sample 1. Then, put the sample of blood into pallet of three small wells. After that, take a drop of Anti-A, and put it in the first well, take a drop of Anti-B and put it in the second well and then take a drop of Anti-Rh in the last well and make sure you mix them. After approximately 30 seconds of waiting, there should be a change in the blood. The blood will either clump together or remain the same. Repeat this process for each sample of blood you have collected from the scene. The last step to do in this process is analyzing the type of blood from each sample by determining if there are clumps of blood in the certain well or not.
Scientists have recently seen advancements in blood typing. The advancements of blood typing have seen to skip an important step in the process, which was actually ‘typing’ the blood. This advancement of this process is called the immunocamouflage technique. This technique basically hides blood cells from antibodies that could set off a fatal immune reaction.
Today in crime scene #2, our group found a potential suspect of the crime. The potential suspect is James Newell. We found out that his blood matches the same blood that is under the nails of the victim, Nathan Herron, which is type B+. Today, we also discovered a new suspect, although he is a little crazy and has a history of mental illness. This man’s name is John Hannah, and he had been overheard by a prison guard that he was bragging about to a person that he and a friend killed Nathan Herron. Noting that the man is mentally ill, we still need to test his blood to see if it matches the blood underneath the nails of Nathan Herron, which is B+. If James Newell blood matches, we will take one step further and use DNA tests to determine if he was the murderer.
Sources Used:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_type#History
http://elearning.loyno.edu/resource/criminal-justice/blood-typing-and-modern-day-forensics
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110309113032.htm
http://anthro.palomar.edu/blood/ABO_system.htm
Coroner's Report
Skylar Smith
Crime Scene: #2
Evidence Being Examined: Victim of Crime
Forensic Science Used: Forensic Pathology
Summary of the Science:
Forensic pathology or the Coroner’s report is used for determining and examining the cause of the death from the victim of a crime. Forensic pathology was first recognized in the U.S in 1959 by the American Board of Pathology. Pathology is mostly used for discovering the effects and causes of diseases. Forensic pathology is conducts similar work but it is done so in a legal context. The job of a forensic pathologist is to find out the cause of the death. Was it suicide, homicide, accidental, or from natural causes? Typically, forensic pathology is a very difficult category to get into. I takes years and years of college to qualify for being a forensic pathologist.
There are a lot of different methods in finding information to conduct a Coroner’s Report or a forensic pathology analysis. The first thing would be the initial examination. For example, looking for wounds on the body, blood, hair or anything to link the person to the crime. While conducting the exam, do not touch or move the body. If removing body from crime scene, delicately cover hands and feet with paper bags to protect any trace evidence. Trace evidence is created when objects come in contact with each other. Then, wrap the body in sheets and place in the autopsy bag. Preliminary stage of post-morterm is necessary after this. This is taking acceptable photographs of the body, then examining the body with the naked eye and alternative light sources to check for scars, tattoos or injuries. Then, a microscope is used to find suspicious areas on the body. After the preliminary stage of post-morterm, the body must be identified meaning making sure that any fingerprints found on the body are sent to the Print Analyst to compare with police records. Then, all clothing on the body must be analyzed very carefully by take clothes off of victim.
The next step in conducting a Coroner’s report is to record general measurements of the victim. For example, height, weight, age, sex, race and eye color.
After this, it would be wise to take x-rays. Taking x-rays reveal the depth of the wounds or trajectory of bullets, or any knife fragments. Next step in the Coroner’s report would be to analyze all injuries on the victim very carefully. It does not matter if the injuries are old or recent, they should be photographed and analyzed no matter what. One example of analyzing the injuries would be if there are bruises around the victim's neck, it is probably a strangulation.
Dissection of the body is one of the most critical parts of the Coroner’s report. This is a long process that begins wiht a Y-incision over the chet starting at the shoulders and extending down to the lower end of the sternum continuing down the midline of the abdomen to the pelvis. Then the heart, lungs, and blood vessels are exposed by removing the breastplate. Often times, blood samples and toxicological tests are taken on the body. After dissecting, weighing every abdominal organ must be done. These organs must be examined and samples are taken from it. The brain is usually examined next fir head trauma and skull fractures. The brain is usually examined in place first, then taken out for a more thorough inspection. After this long process of the body being dissected, recordings of how the victim died should be done if possible. First, record the cause of death. Second, record the mechanism of the death, meaning the literal biological event that caused the death. Third, the manner of the death. For example, natural, accidental, suicidal, homicidal or unknown. Lastly, the time of death.
Advancancements for forensic pathologists are limited. Advancements usually consist taking a form of moving to a city with higher crime rates and more cases. The Coroner’s report is just a summary and examination of the victim.
In conclusion to our crime scene investigation project, we know that the victim is Nathan Herron. He lived in the San Juan National Forest and we can say that a gunshot was fired at the back of his head creating an explosion out of his forehead. Trace evidence found on his body was blood and hair underneath his fingernails. He is 52-56 inches tall, under 18 years old, and caucasian. The estimated time of death was greater than 3 years ago. And finally, the manner of the death was an obvious homocide.
Sources Used:
http://www.forensicpathologist.com/forensic-pathology/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_pathology#History
Crime Scene: #2
Evidence Being Examined: Victim of Crime
Forensic Science Used: Forensic Pathology
Summary of the Science:
Forensic pathology or the Coroner’s report is used for determining and examining the cause of the death from the victim of a crime. Forensic pathology was first recognized in the U.S in 1959 by the American Board of Pathology. Pathology is mostly used for discovering the effects and causes of diseases. Forensic pathology is conducts similar work but it is done so in a legal context. The job of a forensic pathologist is to find out the cause of the death. Was it suicide, homicide, accidental, or from natural causes? Typically, forensic pathology is a very difficult category to get into. I takes years and years of college to qualify for being a forensic pathologist.
There are a lot of different methods in finding information to conduct a Coroner’s Report or a forensic pathology analysis. The first thing would be the initial examination. For example, looking for wounds on the body, blood, hair or anything to link the person to the crime. While conducting the exam, do not touch or move the body. If removing body from crime scene, delicately cover hands and feet with paper bags to protect any trace evidence. Trace evidence is created when objects come in contact with each other. Then, wrap the body in sheets and place in the autopsy bag. Preliminary stage of post-morterm is necessary after this. This is taking acceptable photographs of the body, then examining the body with the naked eye and alternative light sources to check for scars, tattoos or injuries. Then, a microscope is used to find suspicious areas on the body. After the preliminary stage of post-morterm, the body must be identified meaning making sure that any fingerprints found on the body are sent to the Print Analyst to compare with police records. Then, all clothing on the body must be analyzed very carefully by take clothes off of victim.
The next step in conducting a Coroner’s report is to record general measurements of the victim. For example, height, weight, age, sex, race and eye color.
After this, it would be wise to take x-rays. Taking x-rays reveal the depth of the wounds or trajectory of bullets, or any knife fragments. Next step in the Coroner’s report would be to analyze all injuries on the victim very carefully. It does not matter if the injuries are old or recent, they should be photographed and analyzed no matter what. One example of analyzing the injuries would be if there are bruises around the victim's neck, it is probably a strangulation.
Dissection of the body is one of the most critical parts of the Coroner’s report. This is a long process that begins wiht a Y-incision over the chet starting at the shoulders and extending down to the lower end of the sternum continuing down the midline of the abdomen to the pelvis. Then the heart, lungs, and blood vessels are exposed by removing the breastplate. Often times, blood samples and toxicological tests are taken on the body. After dissecting, weighing every abdominal organ must be done. These organs must be examined and samples are taken from it. The brain is usually examined next fir head trauma and skull fractures. The brain is usually examined in place first, then taken out for a more thorough inspection. After this long process of the body being dissected, recordings of how the victim died should be done if possible. First, record the cause of death. Second, record the mechanism of the death, meaning the literal biological event that caused the death. Third, the manner of the death. For example, natural, accidental, suicidal, homicidal or unknown. Lastly, the time of death.
Advancancements for forensic pathologists are limited. Advancements usually consist taking a form of moving to a city with higher crime rates and more cases. The Coroner’s report is just a summary and examination of the victim.
In conclusion to our crime scene investigation project, we know that the victim is Nathan Herron. He lived in the San Juan National Forest and we can say that a gunshot was fired at the back of his head creating an explosion out of his forehead. Trace evidence found on his body was blood and hair underneath his fingernails. He is 52-56 inches tall, under 18 years old, and caucasian. The estimated time of death was greater than 3 years ago. And finally, the manner of the death was an obvious homocide.
Sources Used:
http://www.forensicpathologist.com/forensic-pathology/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_pathology#History