Let's grow our poo-ants. LOL get it? ;D

So since September, we have learned about biodiversity, animals, body systems, cells but of course learning about biology includes learning about plants! Plants are everywhere, the grass, the trees, even the food we eat (unless you’re a “meat-a-tarian”). So this leads me to question, how do plants grow? Yes, it’s obvious plants need soil for all the nutrition and minerals it provides, but seeing as we are a very developing society, I’m pretty sure that we’ve come up with a product that helps plants grow and develop either better/faster/stronger/longer etc. And, tada! There is! This product is called the fertilizer; and what exactly is fertilizer? Well according to dictionary.com fertilizer is defined as:

fer•ti•liz•er [fur-tl-ahy-zer]
–noun
1. any substance used to fertilize the soil, esp. a commercial or chemical manure.

Fertilizers are used to help boost plan growth. There are two types: organic and inorganic. In this blog entry, I will be talking about an organic fertilizer that uses biosolids. But just in case any of you are curious cats, inorganic fertilizers are you guessed it inorganic, and are created artificially with chemicals such as ammonium nitrate, potassium chloride and ammonium phosphate.

Anyway, moving on...
Our unit guide states that in other parts of the world, biosolids from sewage treatment plants are treated and used as sustainable agricultural fertilizer. But what exactly are biosolids?!

Well my fellow bio students, biosolids are also referred to as sewage sludge --> aka the remains from residue waste water --> aka human waste --> aka the same human waste you just released after eating a whole ton!

Yes, It sounds gross, disgusting and even repulsive but like all things in the world, biosolids provide pros AND cons! Seeing as biosolids affect plant growth, and plants affect us, it is accurate to assume that stakeholders for the use of biosolids include the government, farmers and even us. To be a stakeholder means that one is interested in the given topic – and I think in some little way we are interested in how the use of biosolids will affect the world, Canada, and even ourselves. Maybe after gaining knowledge of both sides, we can better judge whether this is a realistic alternative for our agricultural practices.

Let’s start with the cons:
• It’s a potential health hazard since it contains waste/metals that could be contaminated or hazardous.
• The unknown true compositions of the wastes can transfer on to the crops which we eat, with irreversible effects.
•A very strong unpleasant odour.

And the pros:
• It is a green solution, as it helps to recycle as opposed to filling landfill sites.
• Promotes farming and crop production.
• Reduces soil erosion, which helps protect the quality of streams and rivers

And there you have it, just a few pros and cons the beauty (if you think of it that way) of biosolids in a nutshell. I may not be in green quest or anything... but if there’s any way to help keep our planet green, then I’ll clean! Personally, I think that biosolids are a pro for agricultural purposes. I think the view of human waste is actually very disgusting and unsanitary, but although the thought of human waste being used for plants may sickens us, makes us barf a little, and leads us to expand our imagination and compose outrageous thoughts of what else our very own waste could be used for, I still think biosolids is a checkmark!

It is a positive because it saves us from the large amounts of pollution we place in our landsite today, and we’re helping the planet, by recycling our waste. I see it as a pro because not only are we recycling, but we’re growing more plants as well. But, ofcourse there will always be people who disagree that the use of biosolids may be unsanitary, but hey! Whatever floats your boat right? I remember in elementary when my teacher told my class what hotdogs are made of – I never took the liberty to actually research and see if it was true - but if it is... then hotdogs are a pretty gross food. But, I can’t deny, I still eat them because I think I got over it and I totally forgot about it (until this entry). Which I think can apply to biosolids as well; one day we’ll get over the fact of how gross or unsanitary it is and see it for its true goodness.

P.S –Before I end this entry I would like to say two things. First and foremost, I would like to take the time to say thanks for all the people who actually read and comment on my blogs, even though personally I don’t think they’re all that great. :p And second of all, this is the last bio blog I will ever have to write (unless grade 12 has bioblogs too.. ;( ) YAAAY SUMMER! :’D


sources:

http://www.compost.org/Biosolids_Composting_FAQ.pdf
http://www.biosolids.com/benefits.html
http://www.mindfully.org/Pesticide/Sewage-Sludge-Pros-Cons.htm
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:oI6aj1coONEJ:www.sencer.net/Outreach/pdfs/DCSymposium08/Posters/LUbiosolids.pdf+pros+and+cons+of+biosolid+fertilizer&hl=en&gl=ca&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiuQBTGicKWQPicGghh56I-E96G8RVNF_k2-HzDzZI3LRuwUGg8lCzdOkgnB_lyzYmiMpfJBSP0zevUOeFR4iD3dRwYmqdljzFIAWDLOU6beIexeRkN25LmoBfpFfoihd84lYr7&sig=AHIEtbRYGMozfYAO4FdR8OOnDsQM2fVR5A
http://www.thegardencentral.com/gardening-care/know-the-pros-and-cons-of-organic-and-inorganic-fertilizers/

Compared to hundreds of years ago, I think it is safe to say that we all agree that life has changed so much. From the value of the Canadian dollar to the ever changing fashion styles, society has continued to constantly develop – bigger and better. Although science, math and school related stuff don’t usually come to mind when we think of “change”; our scientific and technological developments have grown as well.



Units 9, 10 and 11, have taught us about the body, how it works and all the different systems associated with it. Along with all that info, we have also learned that the body is not perfect. Our bodies are able to suffer from defects as well, such as excess white blood cells, cancer, ulcers, etc. Technology has become so advanced that we have come up with many scientific gadgets and gizmos that help us understand the internal systems in our bodies (digestive, circulatory, respiratory, etc.) at a whole new level.


One problem that is rising in today’s population is society’s need for more active lifestyles. Back then, a kid’s idea of fun would be to play outside and run around until your legs would fall off, but now its television shows, and video games till you have to go to bed. With so little exercise in one’s everyday life, weight gain has skyrocketed. The attention to this issue has increased as studies have shown that kids are becoming more obese and unfit each passing year. These societal needs have led to certain scientific and technological developments. Let us name a few shall we.

1. Haier America Trainer portable media player

This device includes a heart rate monitor, pedometer, a calorie counter and a stopwatch, and it’s even an mp3 player! It measures the motions you make, and can distinguish if you’re walking or running. (so you can’t cheat! :p)

2. FINIS: Circuit Trainer

This timer helps direct your workouts to improve your circuit interval strength. It helps users focus on working out and improving results.

Game consoles like the Wii, also help us live more actively in a more fun way (since we’re more focused at beating the game, instead of how much weight we want to lose). The technology mentioned above relate to the circulatory system, as it helps monitor heart rate and helps us to better understand our bodies and its limits when it comes to exercise and active lifestyles.



Ever hear people complain about how their allergies are bothering them? Or ever hear someone talk the pollution in the air or second hand smoke? Or even "go green" campaigns that are trying to bring peoples attention to methods to have cleaner air? Societal needs for cleaner and purer breathing environments have also contributed to scientific technological developments. Air purifiers are machines that (self-explanatory) help purify the air in your home. Just like air pollution outside, air in the home may not be the cleanest air you can breathe in. It may contain bacteria, smoke, ozone and so much more. [If you didn’t know, Ozone is an irritant to the lungs and respiratory system which trigger asthma and allergies.]

All of these gadgets show how much technology and science has developed together. Who would ever think that an mp3 player could measure your heart rate? I would have never guessed. Our specific needs have influenced scientific and technological developments. These needs connect with the way we live our lives to come up with ways to help us fulfill what our body and our internal systems need to function to their best ability. Although not all developments may be technological (like special antioxidant drinks that help cleanse the digestive system) our time has developed many scientific discoveries that help out internal systems.

The way I see it.. is like this:
If the body was a skyscraper, our internal systems would be the infrastructure/poles holding it up. The societal needs would be the many levels, and the scientific and technological developments would be the stairs and elevators that help us reach the top floor. Everything we do is always interconnected with one another, one factor influencing another. Just how in this blog I mentioned how our societal needs lead to science related technology developments. :)



referrences:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/home-air-purifier-health-benefits.html
http://www.pcworld.com/article/187369/gadgets_to_help_you_get_fit_lose_weight.html
http://www.squidoo.com/Respiratory
http://library.thinkquest.org/5777/cir1.htm

Pigfection! :D

By now, we should be aware of how capable we are of selecting certain genes to create what we believe is perfection. We've already been informed about the possibility of creating the perfect baby (looking back at our last blog post), but knowing us humans perfect babies aren't enough and we've achieved as far as to create perfect animals and plants as well.



Take a look at these pictures. Isn't it amazing to know that all the different types of peppers, originally came from the capsicum annuum? Or that broccoli, cabbage and etc. all came from the same wild mustard plant? That my friends, is the magic of artificial selection. What exactly is it, you ask? Artificial selection is the process by which humans change the characteristics of animals/plants for artificial means. For example - Making cows that produce more milk, plants that are more disease-resistant, pigs that have more meat, and so on.

For the pictures above, we already see how artificial selection has affected plants. In our unit guide, we have also learned a few things about the artificial selection of dogs. Who knew that so many breeds of dogs were created by this process? I didn't. In one of the videos a woman proudly states that she created her perfect mutt and loves it dearly. She was able to choose the size, the shape, the colors, and probably so much more. This leads me to question: how far should humans be allowed to alter and select the traits of animals and plants?

I'm aware of the fact that artificial selection brings us benefits. But what about the animals that are artificially enhanced that benefit us while they receive the "dull end of the stick"? Although one would argue that a cow having more milk, or a horse running even faster does no harm... does it really? I'm pretty sure that every time we alter something that is naturally made, there will always be side effects.

For example (although this has nothing to do with animals), when Heidi Montag (or anyone else for that matter) went through plastic surgery to perfect herself there were downfalls. She was in pain, she couldn't eat properly, and she received many bruises. Who's to say that consequences for perfection can't happen to animals either? In a few blogs I've read about the chicken being artificially enhanced to produce more meat but no feathers. No feathers on a chicken, make it prone to catching diseases quicker. Now, I'm not an animal activist or anything, but don't you think that's a bit unfair for the chicken? :( Poor thing, suffering from our gain. And remember, it may not only be chickens suffering from our greed!

I think this is where the fine line is, as to how far we should go. Personally, I think that artificial selection should only be done to the extent where both parties benefit. It should not continue if we're the only ones gaining from the process. Plus, if we continue to constantly inbreed these animals, certain genes that are passed down from natural selection will be lost forever - and there is no undo button. Just like our first bio blog, we should start being better stewards of the earth. And we can't do that, if we're constantly taking advantage of animals for personal gain. We should start accepting the naturality of things, afterall nature is beauty.


sources
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0118084/Gene/Genetic_variation/artificialselection.htm
http://www.biology-online.org/2/12_selective_breeding.htm
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IVAartselection.shtml