Assignment

Part 1

Background

When you look around at the world, you can see many examples that demonstrate how an object's or a system's structure relates to its function. The structure of a highway system, for example, can affect traffic flow. You can, no doubt, think of many other examples.

In this Discussion Board assignment, you will look at the structure of the most basic unit of life, the living cell. You will also investigate how the structures of cells are directly related to the functions that are important to life.

Part 1

Your text describes the difference between the organelles in a eukaryotic cell and the more simplistic nature of prokaryotic cell as an analogy between the chief executive officer's (CEO's) corner office and a cubicle. Organelles are like appliances or pieces of furniture that perform specific functions. Choose 1 organelle, and use an analogy to explain its function. For example, explain how a chloroplast is like a solar panel, or how a mitochondrion is like a furnace. Try to think of original analogies for other organelles or cell structures such as golgi, lysosomes, the cell wall, cell membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, nucleus, and so on. Include where your analogy may be less than perfect. Compare your analogy with those of your classmates'.

Part 2

You will read that only plants, algae, and some bacteria are photosynthetic. There is an exception to this, though. One species of sea slug has found a way to steal chloroplasts, store them in cells lining its digestive tract, and live on the sugar that is produced (Milius, 2010). What benefit would there be for animal cells (including those of humans) to make their own food? Could cell, tissue, or genetic engineering allow humans to use chloroplasts this way? Describe 1 or 2 factors that would need to be considered for chloroplasts to function in an animal or a human.

Reference

Milius, S. (2010). Green sea slug is part animal, part plant. Retrieved fromhttp://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/01/green-sea-slug/

Provide references in APA format. This includes a reference list and in-text citations for references used throughout the assignment.

In your own words, please post responses to the Discussion Board posts of at least two of your classmates. Responses must be substantive, i.e. say something of substance that advances the discussion about the concepts. You will be graded on the quality of your postings.

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, the AIU Library, Web resources, and all course materials. Please refer to the following multimedia course material(s):

The cell

External Web Links

Prokaryotes Versus Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes

Part 2

Background

Biotechnology allows the use of living organisms or their processes for human needs or purposes. Currently, this topic includes such general examples as cloning, stem cells (adult, umbilical cord, and embryonic), DNA fingerprinting, biological warfare, bioremediation, genetically modified organisms, vaccines, and transgenic plants and animals to name a few. In this assignment, you will explore specific examples of biotechnology applications.

Assignment details

Part 1

Biotechnology is the use of a living thing or any part of a living thing to make a product or process that improves human life. For this assignment, discuss the following:

What are some of the examples of biotechnology that have made improvements to your life?

Describe how 1 of these has made your life better.

Part 2

In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved food derived from cloned animals. In addition, these products will not need to be labeled as "cloned" or "from clones" (Black, 2008). The FDA explains that you will not be eating the clone itself. It takes thousands of dollars to clone a food animal such as a cow or pig. Animals that are cloned for improved food production will be used for a breeding program to produce many offspring with the desirable traits for increased meat or milk yield. These offspring of the clones will be fair game for food. Discuss the following:

Do you think there are differences between a clone and a "normal" animal?

How do you feel about eating a cloned animal?

Is your opinion of eating a cloned plant different?

Reference

Black, R. (2008). U.S. approves animal clones as food. Retrieved from the BBC News Web site:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7190305.stm

Provide references in APA format. This includes a reference list and in-text citations for references used throughout the assignment.

In your own words, please post responses to the Discussion Board posts of at least two of your classmates. Responses must be substantive, i.e. say something of substance that advances the discussion about the concepts. You will be graded on the quality of your postings.

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, the AIU Library, Web resources, and all course materials. Please refer to the following:

Biotech
Excellence Through Stewardship.