C4 Photosynthesis

In Chapter 7 one of the most important things that was stressed on in class was the light reaction and the Calvin cycle reaction in the process of photosynthesis. Moving on in the chapter I discovered that there were even more types of photosynthesis. In a C4 leaf the bundle sheath cells as well as the mesophyll cells contain chloroplasts. Unlike the C3, the mesophyll cells ore arranged concentrically around the bundle sheath cells. When I look at the picture of the C4 plant it is pretty interesting in the way that it is shaped like , which is a like a flower. From the picture that is shown it looks like the xylem and the phloem are sitting in the middle of it is surrounded by the vein then the bundle sheath cell. Now what it is does is use the enzyme PEP carbxylase to fix CO2 to PEP and the result is a C4 molecule called oxaloacetate. Now to put this more clearly, the C4 plants will form a C4 molecule in mesophyll cells right before releasing CO2 to the Calvin Cycle. This means that all of this must enter in the light reaction before reaching the Calvin Cycle . It is funny how this one thing, called cholorplast, does so much within its tiny parts that can not even be seen unless I see a picture or through a microscope. This factory, as I compare them to is so unique in itself that I can never wrap my mind around it . I actually desire to learn more about it in itself but I do know that I will never understand the full length of Gods creation.

Calvin Cycle Reactions

So yesterday I went over the light reactions of photosynthesis and I believe that I hit all the points. Today in class we went over the cycle again and covered more on the Calvin Cycle Reactions. They both have similarities in the ways that they funciton, part of the reason is that they both go on in the same organelle chloroplasts. So lets go over the steps so that I will be able to understand the process better. Yesterday I did not realize that there were two reactions going on at the same time within the same chloroplasts and that the ligth reactions is feeding ATP and NADPH to the Calvin Cycle which reduces the carbon dioxide to a carbohydrate. So that is what goes on on the inside but the question is, how does it all get there? Well as i blogged about yesterday was the light reaction and that is what comes first. Electrons enter through the protein carriers and are brought into the thylakoid membrane where the light reaction takes place. In this area of the chloroplasts the ATP and NADPH is produced to the Calvin Cycle so that it can turn CO2 into CH2O. Then the Calvin Cycle will produce ADP and NADP+ so that the light reaction and take the entering water and process it into O2. Yes, it is very interesting and through this, the process has been put into a story line. Without the Thylakoids in the light reaction and stroma which is in the Calvin Cycle the process would never be allowed.

Light Reactions of Photosynthesis

So this is going to help me learn the story of the light reaction of photosynthesis so that I will be able to tell it. I believe the best way to learn this is to blog about it. I hope that I put everything in this blog correctly and in order, if it is not correct please tell me so that I know and can correct the process. I would like to say that the things we are learning are so interesting. Cells are so much like humans by the things they do aqnd the way they process nutrients and break it down, it is almost like a giant factory. The electron transport chain is what we were taught today in class but it was kind of difficult to pick up right off the start so I came home and did some more reading and luckily I drew the picture that was on the board because that picture in the book is not even compared to Dr. Platt's. What catches my eye when I look at the picture is the antenna that looks like a little man waving but sadly the book does not explain what it does. Now we move to the right and we have the electron acceptors that are sealed into the outer part of the transport chain. The function of this is to accept electrons coming in from the outside. It seems as if they are vacuums that only get electrons and grab them and put them inside and this is where the process begins. Something I forgot to mention and it is imprtant to know is that light readtion needs solar energy in order for it to work correctly which means it only works during the day. So now the electrons are giving out energy on the inside as they move down the chain and this energy is processed in the chain to make ATP molecules. Now these are pumped out kind of like the same way that a pump will pump water out of a well into a holder and spit out. This process like everything just keeps going around and around again but only does this during the day.

Leaves

Okay I know that this topic is very easy to get tired of because the is so much going on within a plant, but I promise that this is the last basics taken from the structure and function of the plant. First, we must understand that leaves are the the ones that carry on photosynthesis, which requires water, CO2, and sunlight to work. One of the first things that are used to identify plants is by their leaves. The start by determing what type by looking at the size of the leave, then the shape, and lastly the color. The colors of leaves can vary from green to deep purple. There are so many colors for so many different types of leaves, I can only imagine how many plants there are that have never been seen. There are evergreens which are pine tree's  and then you have decidouos which are like oak tree's. The wide part of the leaf is called the blade and the part the the leaf hangs on is called the petiole. Other than the photosynthesis, the leaf is just a product of energy. I can tell this because when I was reading the only function that I really absorbed was the photosynthesis part. Which is why the plant leaves , one of the biggest parts of the plants only does one thing and that thing is the most important. And this is the conclusion to roots,stems, and leaves, we allow them to live, and they allow us to live.

Stems

Stems are a very unique part of the plant in itself. In my first blog I covered the importance of roots and now I will go over the stems with you. Of course this is not for you but it it mostly for me. By me blogging about all sorts of things my brain is absorbing it in the fashion that is needed in order to learn something. So by the end of this blog I am hoping to be able to tell anyone about the basics of the stem. First, lets discuss three things that I never knew about the stem. The node, which is if I were looking at the shoot and saw the area of space where the petiole extended from the stem. Then there is the interlode which is in fact the gap inbetween petiole to petiole. The node and the interlode are two things that are used to identify a plant even if te stem is underground which is Believe is called a monocot. One of the main things that a stem consist of is the vascular tissue, which transports nutrients needed for the the plant to the leaves and takes in photosynthesis and brings it back to the root system. There is so much going on at once right when I walk outside. Everything that I have learned so far just through the basics of the plant has caused my respect to grow more for plants. Not saying that I will try to go and save plants and keep peace for trees, but my respects go out to plants for the things that are supplied from then that help us live life to the fullest.

The Structure of a Plant

Like the past chapters that I have blogged about everything I still read surprises me. Who would have ever thought that reading about the structure and funcitons of roots, stems, and leaves would be appealing to the brain. Honestly, I have always known how to take care of certain plants and which plants should be planted in what seasons but the first couple of pages in chapter 24 opened my eyes to a whole different world. There is so much going on inside of a plant and like the human body, if everything from the bottom to the top is not funcitioning like it is supposed to be , the plant will die. For instance the root system, consisting of the branch root, root hairs, and primary root. Lets start with the primary root which is where everything starts in the root system. The primary root is cylinder shaped which makes the root able to grow to the appropriate depth and allows water to be absorbed from all sides. The branch roots do as their name and branch off from the primary and the absorbing capacity of the root depends on it since the root hairs grow off of it, it is a vital piece. The root heirs are simple, they grow off of the branch as little hairs, which billions can be produced in a small time frame, and collect water and minerals needed for the plant. Roots also produce hormones which can also determine the size of the stem so it can coordinate with the stem. It is very important that everything grows to the right size so that everything will coordinate with each other. Roots are vital, without the roots where would everything else come from, everything or mostly everything is transported from the roots to the stem and the stem to the leaves. It is a cycle, and the cycle starts with the roots.

BIO-123 Ethics Paper Review

Jonathan Gibbs

February 4, 2011

Dr. Platt BIO 123

Ethics Paper

Ethical Dilemmas on Euthanasia

            The main point of the article, “Ethical Dilemmas in Euthanasia of Small Companion Animals" is to shed light over animal cruelty. There are so many animals that have been mistreated whether it be for testing purposes, or “put to sleep” because of over population. In this article the argument is over whether euthanasia is humane or inhumane. Another topic brought up in this piece is where veterinarians stand on this important issue. Many veterinarians are put into a position where they must choose to do as the costumer wishes or to not end the life of their patient. One shocking insight I learned while reading this article was how careless some pet owners could be toward the animals they once loved, but now are considered an inconvenience. If a pet is to be euthanized all avenues should be explored before acting. Many animals do become ill and the only way to ensure them a painless life is to end it. While this is a sad image to picture I would never want a beloved pet of mine to suffer. So yes I would approve an animal being “put to sleep” if there was no other way of treatment. I would also make sure I had plenty of other recommendations before coming to this decision. Certain guidelines should be followed when going through the process of euthanizing an animal. Being over populated in pounds or tested by scientists should not be an approved guideline. Also making sure the manner in which the animal is put to rest is another key factor. There should be no slaughtering or shocking but a quick and painless procedure. Other guidelines such as having the owner of the pet present during the process. Many families grow so attached to the “family pet” that it really does feel as if they are losing a member of the family. This way it is a form of closure for the pet and owner. In conclusion, the process of euthanasia can be considered inhumane but also a way of treatment for very sick animals.