Abstract This paper describes the effects that the brown tree snake had on the wildlife of Guam. The brown tree snake, accidentally imported to Guam shortly after World War II, appeared all over the island and ended up killing several species of the native forest birds that lived in Guam. This paper is a historical description of the development of the brown tree snake as a plague. It details the origin of the Brown Tree Snake and the terrible effects it had on the island of Guam. Moreover, this paper shows the environmental effects on the development of the Island.
From the Paper "Determining the number of animal species existing on the island of Guam prior to the arrival of humans has presented a distinct difficulty. From archeological excavations on the nearby island of Rota, scientists have determined that the original human colonists' domesticated animals extirpated many species thousands of years ago (Chiszar et al1997). World War II "subjected" Guam to naval bombardment so severe that some artillery fire leveled some forests (Chiszar et al 1997). After the war, extensive seeding of the island took place with an exotic legume (Leucaena leucocephala.) It permanently replaced native trees over vast areas (Chiszar et al 1997). The fauna of Guam seemed stable until the 1960's. At this time Wildlife authorities noticed the entire absence of birds from the southern one-third of the island. The boundary of the absence of birds seemed to be moving steadily northward. Birds were missing from the southern two-thirds of the island by the end of the 1970's (Enbring & Ramsey 1983). Thirteen years later, in 1983, all 10 forest species occurred concurrently only in 160 ha of mature forest beneath the cliff line at the northern tip of Guam, with a few species still occupying parts of the northern plateau (Savidge 1987). The early 1980's reveals many factors blamed for the decline in Guam's forest birds. Disease, pesticides, habitat loss, hunting, and introduced species evolve as the major suspect reasons. Elimination of the forest's mosquitoes that possibly harbor avian malaria or avian pox brought an influx of pesticide usage. During World War II to the-mid 1970's, the military used pesticides such as DDT and other chlorinated hydrocarbons to kill the mosquitoes (Enbring & Ramsy 1983). Pesticides might have caused declines in the past; therefore, it cannot be ruled out as a cause for the earlier reed-warbler extinction (Reichel et al 1992). Tests conducted in 1981 indicate low pesticide levels on Guam. Pesticides probably were not responsible for the current declines of forest birds (Reichel et al 1992). The years since 1945 have witnessed an increase in weedy species, though substantial native habitat remains in southern and northern Guam. Birds have disappeared from forests that previously supported healthy bird populations (Savidge 1987)."
Tags: biogeography, birds, brown, introduced, island, snake, Guam, species, treeWorld, War, II, forest
This paper explains how wildlife management and ecological restoration are thought to be the same concept, but their objectives and goals are often very different.
Abstract This paper uses the San Marcos Springs ecosystem and its endangered species as an example of how wildlife management and ecological restoration may seem to compliment each other but, actually they are seeking out different goals. It explains that in order to preserve the endangered native species, all of current species located in the ecosystem must be considered.
From the Paper "Wildlife conservation and management have been called the art and science of managing wildlife species, habitats, and ecosystems for long-term human benefit. The first system of wildlife conservation was an Eastern rather than a Western idea, developed by the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire (Smith 1976). Although the art of managing wildlife is centuries old, the science is relatively new and is becoming increasingly important all the time. However, science is only part of how we view and manage our wildlife resources. Social, cultural, political, and legal constraints and issues often have more to do with how wildlife resources are managed than pure science. Understanding these constraints and issues is fundamental to conservation and management. J. B. Kauffman (1997) stated that a successful ?conservation programme cannot be based on a preoccupation with saving the animal itself. Its total environment must be preserved.? This type of forward thinking helped change the idea of single species conservation and gave rise to the concept of restoration ecology."
Abstract This paper explains the similarities of the individual senses, and draws reasonable assumptions as to how the senses work in concert with one another to enable the mind to create a complete picture of an individual's environment. The first exploration is of a personal observation with regard to the use of the senses to detect a bad piece of shellfish, followed by similarities in differences in the olfactory system and taste. The next exploration is of the epidermis, and some observations with regard to the similarities and differences of how motion is detected.
From the Paper "Smith and Margolskee state that taste cells lie within specialized structures called taste buds, which are situated in the epithelium of the mouth, predominantly on the tongue and soft palate. The majority of taste buds on the tongue are located within papillae, which are tiny projections that give the tongue its velvety, slightly rough appearance. They further state that the taste buds are onion-shaped structures that contain between 50 and 100 taste cells, each of which has fingerlike projections called microvilli that poke through an opening at the top of the taste bud called the taste pore. Chemicals from food, called tastants dissolve in the saliva and contact the taste cells through this pore, which interact, either with proteins on the surfaces of the cells known as taste receptors, or with pore-like proteins called ion channels. And it is these interactions that cause electrical changes in the taste cells that trigger them to send chemical signals that ultimately result in impulses to the brain. (Smith, Online) "
Abstract This paper is an in-depth look at the disease malaria. The author examines the flu-like symptoms associated with the illness, how long they last, the aggressive campaigns to reduce mosquito populations, and how mosquitoes transmit the disease. The paper also discusses treatments, such as Malarone, chloroquine, mefloquine, primaquine, and pyrmethemine.
From the Paper "Malaria is a devastating disease which is typified by flu-like symptoms which can escalate into coma and even death. It is caused by a one celled parasite, Plasmodium, and has multiple strains with slightly varying symptoms and behaviors. This disease has confused and terrified humans on ever continent for all of recorded history, partly because of the seemingly inexplicable nature of its transmission and partly because of the difficulty of finding a cure. Like most natural parasitic infections, there is a natural cure for malaria. However, the tree that grows this cure is found only in areas of South America, and for many years the disease was most frequent in swampish European and African areas."
Abstract This a detailed, and well researched paper discussing how e. coli can be prepared and used for study of Molecular genetics. The author looks at how e.coli lends is an ideal candidate for this area because it is such a simple organism. The paper also examines how scientists have been immeasurably helped in their progression of learning about the fundamentals of molecular genetics by the fact that E. coli can be induced into competence through a number of methods. The paper includes numerous illustrations.
From the Paper "Most of us, when we think of Escherichia coli at all, tend not to have very pleasant associations with the organism. It is in fact among the organisms that are most likely to affect (and infect) households. While E. coli is actually an integral part of the normal gastrointestinal flora, certain strains can cause diarrhea, fever and vomiting by one of three ways: by giving off toxins, by directly invading the mucosal lining of the intestinal wall, or by adhering to the intestinal wall. A person infected with E. coli may also have malaise or overall weakness and abdominal cramps. And a new virulent strain of E. coli, which is passed to humans via contaminated and improperly stored or prepared food, can cause a fatal kidney condition ? a finding that has prompted public health and food industry officials to suggest changes in the meat-inspection process, including the irradiation of some ground beef. But the bad name that E. coli deserves as a very nasty bug that infects humans must be offset by the fact that study of this organism has vastly increased our understanding of the field of molecular genetics. This paper outlines some of the most important basic principles of this field by focusing on the specific findings that studying E. coli have allowed scientists to derive."
Tags: bacteria, genetics molecule molecular geneticsgenes dna rna cell, recombinant
This paper examines the ongoing debate between those who support the oil industry and those who wish to protect the Alaskan coastal plains from being drilled in search of oil.
Abstract This paper summarizes the argument against drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on the basis of damage that would be caused to the environment and the wildlife inhabiting the region. The topic is connected to the events of September 11th which nearly allowed the Republicans to push through an emergency Energy Security Bill, allowing for the extraction of oil from the ANWR.
From the Paper "In the past 10 months many people have claimed that the world as we knew it a year ago has been profoundly and irreversibly transformed with the events of September 11th, 2001. Others have attacked these claims as being yet another example of American ethnocentrism and egocentricity: the world has not changed, the USA simply got a taste of reality. However, whether the United States was living in a sheltered state of denial in which true poverty, destruction and war never found a home on its shores, or whether the world truly has changed entirely, is a subject for a different debate and a different paper."
Abstract This paper presents a complete suggested curriculum for sex education for a young teenage audience. Included in this paper are sections on abortion, teen pregnancy, sexual victimization, abstinence, contraception, STD's, homosexuality, etc. It is designed for a 10 week course and has 10 topics, as well as assumption tests for students.
From the Paper "While some of the conservative views associated with the white, upper-middle class are present in South Pasadena, for the most part progressive and liberal views prevail, especially within the school system. South Pasadena High School is known for striving to prepare students for college in all ways possible, in many cases this means introducing students to controversial content, such as is seen in the universities, and encouraging open discussion and debate on said content. It is greatly with this in mind that I designed this curriculum to allow students to think about important issues relating to sex, and discuss them openly in the classroom setting. While some of the issues we will discuss, such as homosexuality, contraception, and abortion are controversial issues, they will be dealt with so as to create as little discomfort for the students and their parents as possible."
Abstract This paper is an analysis of an article by John Carey and Ellen Licking, "The Stem-Cell Debate Just Got Thornier" that appeared in the February 11, 2002 issue of "Business Week." The paper uses information from the article to define stem cells, and to give an overview of the debate over research using human embryos. The issue of virtual embryos and some of the controversial issues surrounding the possible use of any of this research to cure many diseases such as Parkinson's, leukemia or the regeneration of lost limbs.
From the Paper "Stem cells are present in the early stages of embryonic development, and have the ability to develop into any other sort of cell. This makes them useful tools in healing degenerative diseases where extra heart, brain, or other cells are needed. Until recent developments, it was believed these cells could only be harvested from human embryos, which sparked a great deal of ethical debate. Many people believe that human life begins before birth, and do not approve of the idea of grinding up little humans and injecting their cells into sick adults. Federal research money is given only to programs that use existing cell lines and forbids harvesting new stem cells. Cloning is also in line to be chopped, which will further prevent scientists from creating "bred for the slaughter" embryos from which to harvest identical stem cells for their patients."
Abstract This paper presents an in-depth look at the water toxins and the way they affect the ecosystem as a whole. The writer takes the reader on an exploratory journey through the ecosystem and the way it works. Then it discusses the way water toxins and pollution are destroying the system by killing the marine organisms. Finally, it concludes that in the future it will be imperative to find ways to thwart the water toxins affects.
From the Paper "Because we have lived on this planet for millions of years, we have come to rely on its ability to support and sustain human and animal life indefinitely. The world survives by way of an ecosystem and that system is the core of all living things. For many years now scientists have warned that our cavalier attitude toward preservation of the eco system will cause it to begin breaking down, however, their warnings often fell on deaf ears. Now it is time to pay the piper. Recently scientists have begun to take a close look at the cycles of life and the way they are intertwined in the ecosystem. There is strong evidence that toxins are destroying the ecosystem because the abundance and diversity of marine organisms is rapidly declining(Liat pp 142)."
Abstract Presented in a graph form, this paper provides great detail about the digestive systems of the smallest of creatures in the "kingdom animalia". It explains how lysosome produces a digestive enzyme to breakdown bigger molecules of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, into simple protein, monosaccharides and fatty acid to send to cytoplasm for the cell's life, then converted into energy for cell growth.
From the Paper "The higher phyla, starting from Cnidaria develops extracellular digestive system as well as it develops into radial body symmetry. Cnidarian possess incomplete gastrovascular cavity, tube-like digestive system in which water and other smaller organisms are transported in. Such organism like hydra has digestive layer called gastrodermis, which excretes digestive enzymes to assimilate food. This system is also adapted by Platyhelminthes, which also has similar gastrovascular cavity, mouth without anus."
A descriptive overview of the vertebrate adaptive immune response to both intra and extra-cellular pathogens with explicit focus on T-cell B-cell collaboration and antibody response.
Abstract This paper covers the major pathways by which foreign antigens are identified and dealt with through the adaptive immune response which is paramount on B-cell and T-cell responses and interaction with one another in distinct pathways and steps. It includes several diagrams and their explanations of antigens, B-Cells, T-Cells, APC's and more and their interactions and processes they go through.
From the Paper "All immune responses involving T-cell B-cell collaborations follow distinct pathways of interactions and development. These very pathways of the adaptive immune response are almost entirely dependant on the cellular interaction of B- cells and T- cells with one another. It is within each stage of these pathways and the progression of an adaptive immune response that we will concern ourselves. The following is a condensed synopsis of the adaptive immune response and the cellular interactions that will be the emphasis of this paper. Within secondary lymph tissues foreign antigen is presented to naive B-cells via their surface immunoglobulins (Igs) receptors. The same antigen is also presented to naive T-cells at this time. This presentation and subsequent recognition of antigen by both types of cells results in and end product of proliferation and development of naive B-cells into plasma cells whose function is the production of soluble immunoglobulins (antibodies), and the differentiation and development of memory B-cells whose function is to respond to subsequent exposure to the same antigen. However, this pathway is not self-sufficient and requires the direct interaction of activated T-cells, specifically "helper" T-cells (Th2 cells) 1,9. It is these T-cells in conjunction with the antigen presenting B-cells that interact to produce a hormonal response to infection. These interactions activate Th2 cells that in turn promote B-cell activation both through T-cell secreted cytokines, (interlukeinI1-2, 4 and 5), and also through direct cell to cell contacts involving specific surface proteins and corresponding receptors and the signaling initiated by the binding of these proteins to one another."
Abstract A two-part paper which defines what cells are and explains their molecular content. It links these points with how single celled organisms pass through a series of stages as they grow, replicate their DNA, prepare, divide up the copies of the DNA molecules and divide again. The paper then moves to Darwin's theory of 'natural selection' and DNA tampering.
From the Paper "A cell is a small, membrane-bound compartment that contains chemicals and molecules. Although all living organisms are made up of cells, all organisms are not alike. The structure of cells is a very important step in understanding how an organism's life is supported. Cells are the building blocks of organisms. Some organisms consist of a single cell, while other organisms are made up of multiple cells. A bacterium, for example, is a single-celled organism, while a human is a multicelled organism."
Tags: cell, cellular, organism, dna, molecule, darwin
Abstract The writer discusses the real threat of biological terror attacks against the United States against the background of September 11th. The paper explores various kinds of weapons, including anthrax, the risks they pose and what can be done to prevent them being used against America.
From the Paper "Both common sense and our government tell us that our country is still at grave risk for both further physical attacks and further incidents of biological terrorist attacks. The fact is that under the right circumstances, a variety of biological weapons can be transported and released. (Atlas, 1999) Because of the wide variety of materials and methods of distribution that could be used, it will take considerable effort to protect us even partially from bioterrist attacks, so may not be possible to protect us completely. However, our government can examine the issues, consider the risks and plan protective actions."
Abstract A discussion on human cloning that addresses questions such as: Would a clone be a unique individual or an exact copy? How is cloning achieved? What possibilities are there for organ and tissue cloning? and is cloning a viable option for infertility or gay and lesbian couples?
From the Paper "I remember when I was young hearing about Louise Brown, the "test tube baby". Although I was young I was not completely uneducated about science, but just from the term test tube baby I pictured in my mind an embryo being grown, then gestation occurring in a laboratory. The term carries with it a negative connotation. The correct term, in vitro fertilization is much more appealing than test tube baby and is obviously scientifically more correct."
Abstract This paper discusses the role that DNA plays in the aging process. The author looks at several studies that have been conducted over the years that look at how different types of drugs and disease affect the aging process. Some of the studies involved a look at such issues as cholesterol and the effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs on both the human and animal populations. The paper also looks at Vitamin K, the loss of DNA from the human heart as a person ages, how a person's alcohol and tobacco use affect their longevity. In all of these cases, the paper looks at both the male and female populations in order to illustrate how all of these different aspects affect an individual's DNA and as a result, their life expectancy.
From the Paper "The third category, accretional defects, results from the accumulation of waste materials composed of nonfunctioning of poorly functioning parts of the body system during aging. These involve the liver and kidneys. The human liver must absorb 70% of the dysfunction before they appear in routine blood tests (Strehler), since it is one of the many jobs of the liver to remove bilirubin from the blood. (Bilirubin is a natural by-product of red blood cells at the end of their life cycle.) A high-level bilirubin translates into jaundice and is harmful to the brain if high levels accumulate in the blood. But if the liver's own removal cells are malfunctioning, bilirubin accumulates in the blood and damages the person's overall health. (Strehler). The kidneys are even hardier : 90% of them must sustain the damage and be damaged themselves before abnormalities are detected in blood tests of kidney function (Strehler). This means a person may have kidney trouble for many years without knowing it, only until his or her kidneys are 90% damaged, during which the signs of illness begin to show."
