Biology 2 (SCIH 026)

Part A – (possible 70 points)
Fact, Fiction, and Controversy in Biology
Choose one of the following 2 options for Part A of this project. Your report can be in one of the following formats:
•    a 400-500 word essay (submit as part of this word processing document),
•    a 2-3 page brochure (in .rtf, .doc, or .pdf format)
•    a multipage, multimedia website (submit URL on this document), or
•    some other format that you feel adequately covers all the project requirements, and that can be submitted using the tools available to you. (i.e. PowerPoint in

.ppt or .pptx format)

Option 1
Bird Flu:  In China in 1996, a human was infected with a strain of avian flu called H5N1. In the subsequent 12 years, 400 infections worldwide resulted in

approximately 100 deaths, spread out over 9 countries. The media have been unrelenting in their coverage of this disease and its potential role in a global disease

outbreak. Research this disease and evaluate whether it is a case of legitimate cause for panic or a case of misinformation and worst-case scenarios. (It’s possible

that it could be a little of both!)
Your report should include the following:
•    What virus is responsible?
•    What is the link with flu and Asia?
•    What is the primary means of transmission to humans?
•    What is the mortality rate of this disease?
•    What would need to happen for this disease to pose a significant global threat (think in terms of transmission)?
•    Does this virus replicate by the lytic or lysogenic cycle? Describe that process.
•    How does your body respond to infection by a virus?
•    What can be done medically for a person infected with a virus?
•    How is flu vaccine manufactured?
Terms to include and define in your report are:  pandemic, mortality, transmission, zoonosis, disease reservoir, pathogen, antibodies, antigen, and antiviral.
Be sure to include in your conclusion your opinion, based on stated facts, on what is the real scope of the threat posed by this virus. Are we doing enough? Not

enough? Too much?
You may use the resources available to you to complete this project. You are encouraged to do at least some of your research online, and to make sure that you have the

most up-to-date statistics.
Resource websites you may want to check out for more information include:

http://www.america.gov/

http://www.cdc.gov/

http://www.who.int/en/

Option 2

GMO’s:   (Genetically modified organisms) are organisms that have had their DNA artificially altered, often by the addition of one or more genes from other organisms.

Many food crops have been genetically modified; modification of others is pending. GMO’s are a source of controversy because proponents see them as the way to improve

nutrition, disease and drought resistance; increase crop yields; and have a positive effect on the economies of developing nations. Opponents believe such organisms

can compromise other genetic stock, produce new allergens, and have a negative effect on the economies of developing nations. Research genetically modified food plants

and evaluates the pros and cons of their development and use in food products.
Your report should include the following:
•    What GMO food plants are currently planted in your country?
•    What genetic modifications have been made to the above listed plants?
•    Describe, in detail, the process of creating a GMO plant.
•    Why aren’t foods made with GMO products required to be labeled as such?
•    Why have GMO food crops been an issue within the WTO?
•    What demonstrated benefits have been observed in GMO food crops?
•    What demonstrated problems have been observed in GMO food crops?
Using your knowledge of plant reproduction, research what type of pollination strategies are practiced by the food crops that currently include GMO varieties. How

might the pollination strategy increase or decrease the likelihood of genetic contamination of nearby, non-GMO plants?
Explain the controversy over patenting life forms and summarize the legal issues that have ensued.
What regulations exist for planting and selling GMO food crops, and for including them in human food?
Terms to include and define in your report are:  transgenic, intraspecies gene transfer, interspecies gene transfer, cross pollination, terminator technology, and

patent.
Be sure to include in your conclusion your opinion, based on stated facts, on the advisability of continuing to use/expanding on this technology.
You may use the resources available to you to complete this project. You are encouraged to do at least some of your research online, and to make sure that you have the

most up-to-date statistics.
Resource websites you may want to check out for more information include checking page 680 in your textbook; Google Percy Schmeiser and access:

http://www.monsanto.com/

http://www.usda.gov/

Home

PART B – Lab Report

Lesson 6.3  –  Comparing Flowers
***You will submit this Lab Report as part of Project 1. It is worth a possible 15 points. See Project 1 for further instructions.

Follow the directions given on page 681 of your textbook to complete this Biolab to compare monocot and eudicot flowers.
Monocot and eudicot flowers are classified depending on the structure of their seeds. Monocots usually have flower petals in multiples of 3 or 6, parallel veins in

their leaves, vascular bundles scattered throughout their stems and fibrous (bushy) roots. Eudicots usually have flower petals in mutliples of 4 or 5, netted veins in

their leaves, vascular bundles on the perimeter of their stems, and thick taproots.
Follow the directions in the lab, choosing at least 6 different varieties of flowers and at least  three different features to observe and compare; then answer the

following questions.

1. Create your data table here.

2. Which of the flowers that you examined were monocots and which were eudicots?