The Father of Genetics!

I am the father of genetics! Who could this amazing person be? Gregor Mendel was a priest, also known as a monk. He lived in Eastern Europe, and was proudly known as the father of genetics. Mendel was born on July 22nd, 1822, and was born into a poor peasant family. Mendel didn’t live just anywhere in Europe; he lived in a monastery. When he lived there, Mendel left to attend the University of Vienna. Unfortunately and fortunately, he failed his tests, which meant he didn’t receive a teaching degree. Mendel only went to the University to study mathematics and science, but sadly couldn’t succeed. When he went back to the monastery after Vienna, he tended a garden. This wasn’t just any old garden used for growing. Mendel just didn’t wait for his food to grow so he could eat it-he studied pea plants! He observed large amounts of pea plants by examining the heredity, variations, and evolutions. With previous knowledge from other scientists, Mendel knew he could study the traits of the different pea generations. Recessive, the lowercase letters in the genetic code, and dominant, the uppercase, are parts of genetics. Mendel, being very smart, was able to start this new code by using letters. In addition to finding the code, Mendel used his intelligibility to write down his notes! He wrote down information, good notes, and his experiment, which made him very well known. Many foregoing scientists studied or tried to study genetics, but they didn’t write it down. Because of this, these scientists were not recognized for their actions. In the beginning I mentioned that it was unfortunate and fortunate that he failed his test. But how could it be both? After Mendel failed, he went back to the monastery, and he started genetics. If he didn’t do this, then we might not know the information about genetics that we do today. In the 1900’s Mendels work was shared with all of us in the world. Unfortunately he died in 1884, and was not there to see his work be shown to the public. I’m very happy that Mendel observed the pea plants, because if it weren’t for him I wouldn’t know as much about genetics using the example of pea plants. "My father" did a great job!

TOPIC: Gregor Mendel
Link: http://library.thinkquest.org/20465/mendl.html

No Way Jose!

Leave it to Beaver was a very popular late 1950- early 1960 television show that is currently aired on TV Land. When this show was first aired, I am sure that many people were very excited about it. I believe that they may have reacted the same way that people recently reacted when a beaver was spotted in New York City for the first time in over 200 years. A beaver was spotted swimming up the Bronx River on Wednesday, the 23rd of February. A biologist videotaped the beaver and his twig-and-mud lodge in the river. A beaver suddenly spotted after 200 years, is again spotted. Why is this? "It had to happen because beaver populations are expanding, and their habitats are shrinking," explained Dietland Muller-Schwarze, a beaver expert at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse. He also said that New York City will probably be seeing more of these around in the near future. The beaver that they had spotted appeared to be a male, several feet long, and 2 or 3 years old. This was said by Patrick Thomas, from the near by Bronx Zoo. The animal, the beaver, was also put on the NY seal. But, they have not been spotted in New York since the 1800's. The beaver was on the seal to represent the Dutch Trading Company’s that factored the city’s colonial beginnings. Believe it or not, scientists have also given a nickname to this beaver. In honor of the US Representative, Jose Serrano, who helped revive the river, the beaver was named "Jose." This relates to science because the beaver has not lived in such an environment for over 200 years. This could be from people polluting their land, and they had to find some where to go. I’m guessing New York City was the only place that the beavers had felt comfortable in. I do agree with Dietland Muller-Schwarze that more beavers will come because beavers usually live in packs or families. They all chip in to make sure that everyone is getting what they need to survive. I think beavers have the right to live there, and they should never be kicked out or pushed away. I hope that no one in NYC will push them away from where they like it. How would you feel if you were kicked out of your home so others could get what they want? I’m just guessing not very good. Now, agree with me on this, and hope that beavers are safe in New York City!

I used http://msnbc.com/
ARTICLE TITLE: First Beaver Spotted in NYC in 200 Years
Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17297004/
Picture:http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/education/beaver.gif

You Wish for Fish!

Do you like fish? Is it tasty? Do you feel smarter when you eat it? Inside fish, there is a large amount of omega-3's, and fatty acid, which is very significant to brain development. Researchers say that if pregnant women eat fish, they could boost their babies IQ. Scientist are also trying to see if eating fish can help develop communication skills, and hand-eye coordination. Tests also concluded that if pregnant women eat more than 12 ounces per week of fish or seafood, which is the same as two or three servings per week, then their children could have better development skills. But on the other hand, children whose mothers eat no seafood, were 48% more likely to have a low IQ score. You might think, yeah whatever, I don’t like fish so what does it matter? Well researchers also said that if you don’t eat even a little bit of seafood during your pregnancy, then you COULD be harming your baby. The fetus would not be getting the essential nutrients that it needs to help develop their brain. Dr. Joseph Hibbeln from the United States National Institute of Health went to Bristol, Britain to study 11,875 pregnant woman. Dr. Hibbeln asked the women to do a seafood questionnaire. He did this four times while they were pregnant, and then up to eight years after the child was born. They did consider the bad effects of eating extremely too much fish during a pregnancy. It is okay to eat a tad bit more then three servings of fish, but you can’t eat much more. There is mercury, which is known as a chemical, inside fish, so if eaten too much, it can damage the human nervous system, and could cause developing problems. This is only because of the metal from the mercury. Why is mercury in fish? How did it get there? Mercury could be carried by humans, and natures own emissions, but it is mostly in the air. Then it is transferred into the water, which is when the fish have the chance to absorb the particles. This has to do with science, because it has to do with pregnancies, and they have to do with heredity and genes. Passing down genes could mean passing down the traits of being tall, smart, heavy or light, the color of your hair, the color of your eyes and more! I do agree with the researchers who research the fish because most of the facts sound very accurate. Fish is very good for you, and is very healthy , so if you’re pregnant, it helps your baby a lot. 12 ounces per week, or 2-3 servings, is not that much, so it’s not that hard to make sure your baby is healthy. Who would have ever thought fish could help your baby?

ARTICLE TITLE: When Pregnant Mom Eats Fish, Kids do Better

I used http://www.msnbc.com online

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17185324

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/281933/2/istockphoto_281933_cooked_fish.jpg

Sports for Kids Like You!

Would you prefer television or badminton? Or would you rather watch TV or do archery? After a four-year study in the USA, any kids, between the ages 10-15, are known to watch TV and relax, than to exercise and play sports. While watching television, kids usually eat snacks, also known as "junk food." This consists of chips, ice cream, brownies, cookies and more! This action takes place throughout our lives, and it should be stopped. When kids do exercise more, they are able to keep weight off of them, and stay fit. Many children, who are involved in activities, are known to be more healthy and active. A survey shows, that after asking more than 10,000 girls and boys, that girls spend roughly 10 hours week watching TV, while at the same time boys spend around 12 hours a week. But at the same time, girls are only active for 12 hours a week, and boys are active for 14 hours. I feel that kids should be active for at least 8 hours a week, so they’re not always sitting around eating "bonbons." If you’re not active, there is a higher chance that you would be obese. Most kids also get offended when someone makes fun or their weight, but they don’t realize that they can easily change that. This relates to science because of your health. When you eat junk food, or don’t exercise, it’s not good for your future because you could have a chance of heart disease, high cholesterol and breathing problems. Many kids, who might be active, could be over weight and that could just be heredity, just like we learned about it class. Kids sometimes don’t realize how their weight can effect them, and that it why everyone should know what is going on in this world, and how others have the chance to fix it!

If any problems occur go to www.msnbc.com then go to the category: health, then fitness.
ARITICLE TITLE: Less TV Doesn't Mean Kids Will Exercise More
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16989764/
http://www.exploreseville.com/images/basic-info/television.jpg