Claire Smerdon's Science Blog

       In this unit, we delved into the biotech field, meaning the ethics assoiciated with it, the fields it applys to, how it works, and some examples of it. The biotech field deals a lot with the ethics of altering natural things, and scientists' morals may influence their work in it. The biotechnology field is massive and its disciplines includes chemistry, engineering, molecular biology, nanotech, genetics and more! One example of it is PCR or Polymerase Chain Reaction, an essential in biotech. It's used to make millions of copies of a sequence.       This was the most interesting unit to me thus far, resulting in more strengths than ususal. I found the ethics of it very interesting, and I would consider that a strength. Understanding the technologies of it was a little more difficult, a setback if I had one. The applications of biotech were strengths for me, too.       We did a lab on fluorescent bacteria, discovering how it is created and works. My favorite lab was the

1. When you analyzed the results of your gel, did any of your experimental samples contain dyes that did not match the four reference dyes? All of the sample dyes corresponded to a reference dye, however, we found that yellow 5 was not found in any of the sample dyes.  2. Look at the structures of the dyes pictured here. Which of these dyes would migrate similarly to the dyes you examined in this lab? Why? I think blue 1, beetroot red, and carminic acid would travel at similar rates because they are similar sizes. Citrus red 2 and fast green FCF would go at similar paces to the rest of the dyes. 3. Many popular dry dog foods and dog treats have FD&C dyes among their ingredients. For example, Beneful dry food contains Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6, and Blue 2, and Snausages Breakfast Bites contain Red 40 lake, Yellow 6 lake, and Yellow 5 lake. (Lake dyes are the insoluble forms of the FD&C dyes.) Why do dog food manufacturers put artificial food colors in dog food?  Dyes are

           I will put more effort into studying/doing textbook notes throughout the unit rather then at the end. To achieve this, for each unit I would like to do the notes on the weekend that co-inside with what we learned the previous week. I'll make a study guide about two weeks prior to the test. Lastly, I'll use the study guide to study up until the test for 15-20 minutes a day..             I will be more organized with my schoolwork. In order to achieve this, I will use my planner and mark off what I do. I'll make sure to keep my notebook as orderly as before. Instead of shoving in papers into the binders' pockets, I will put them into the rings.  In addition, I'll keep my desk, supplies, and binders organized.