Wednesday, March 22, 2017

blog post 8


       1.Which part (anatomy) or characteristic of the Brassica oleracea plants seems to                      exhibit the most variation (greatest number of different forms)? Which part or                         characteristic of the Brassica oleracea plants seems to show the greatest range of                 variation (biggest difference between one extreme and its opposite)? Use and                       include data collected from multiple measurements to support your answer.
The part of the plant that I thought seemed to show the most variation between all of the Brassicas were the leaves. I thought this because all the brassica leaves were different in size, shape and the way it felt. The leaves on the Brassica were very wide and big compared to the rest of the plants in the garden. The size of one brassica leaf was 5inchs long and 6inches wide.

      2 .Using the terms that follow, explain why you think there is so much variability in the              domestic forms of Brassica oleraceatraits, selective breeding, artificial selection,            genes, descent with modification, natural variations, mutations
I think there are so may variation between the Brassica plant and the other plants in the garden.One the reasons being that since when something is sexually reproduced it always gets traits of both parents. Artificial selection play a big part in this plants life. scientist have been able to pick genes in the plant and modify it into something better. Selective breeding also can change the outcome, by sexual reproducing with other plants it can get new genes that help it adapt to the environment. Natural variations are very important because its mutations that randomly happen during sex cell division. this affects the plant because it can change the genes that get passed on, which could do good things for the plant but at the same time do bad things. descent with modification is passing of traits parents to offspring.

       3.Which part (anatomy) of the Brassica oleracea plants seems to be most consistently               the same in all of the examples in our garden, regardless of how extreme the                         differences between other parts of the same plants may be? Why do think this is so?             Again, use and include data collected from multiple measurements to support your               answer.
I think the traits the Brassica oleracea plants all have in common are the stem that leads ton leaf. I believe this because the data I collected and what I saw was that most every stem was long and slender and shared the same little details. I think there the same because stems are the one thing that doesn't need to change much when it comes to adapting to the environment. 

        4.What would plant breeders have to do in order to get the body part or characteristic               you described above (in your response to question #3) to become much different than           it is presently?

I think plant breeders would have to change the way the stem grows. To go in more detail I would say you would have to find a way to bracket the stem so it would grow shorter than the normal long lenght of the stem. To change the slender of the stem you would need to come up with some formula to make the stems grow thicker because i really don't know how you would make it thicker without using some sort of biotic.














Sunday, March 19, 2017

Blog Post #8 A Matter of Selection

1) When we looked at the Brassica Oleracea, we noticed that there was a great variety in the anatomy and all of the leaves appeared to be different. The biggest different was the shape of the plant's leaves ; some were more rounded and curved while others had smaller, sickle shaped leaves. The kale plant had the most unusual leaves, which were shaped with very odd edges. Another inconsistency between plants was a waxy coating on the leaves, most likely to let water roll right off the leaves.  Some plants had this coating while others didn't.

2) I believe there is so much variation because way back in the beginning, the original plant's traits were far different from traits it has inherited over time. Through descent with modification, the plants reached a point where their genes and traits were desirable for humans to try to selectively breed the plants. A combination of artificial selection, natural variation, and mutations in the plant's genetic code have all lead to the creation of variety between the Brassica Oleracea plants.

3) A common part of the plant's anatomy is the size of the different parts of the plants. Each plant had leaves around 14 to 16 inches long, probably because they plants all descended from a common ancestor plant with leaves around that size range.

4) A breeder would need to take gametes from two different plants and put the different pollen on each of the plants to see if any of the plants produce fertile offspring. If one of the plants has fertile offspring, that plant will be used to breed with in the future, as the traits of the plant are desirable and it is capable of reproducing.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Blog Post #8 A Matter of Selection

1. Which part (anatomy) or characteristic of the Brassica oleracea plants seems to exhibit the most variation (greatest number of different forms)? Which part or characteristic of the Brassica oleracea plants seems to show the greatest range of variation (biggest difference between one extreme and its opposite)? Use and include data collected from multiple measurements to support your answer.

          When we looked at the Brassica Oleracea we noticed that the anatomy of the plants varied a ton. But all of the leaves seemed to be very different. The biggest difference was the shape of the leaves. Some were round while other plants had a small, sickle-shaped ones.  The plant with the most unique leaves was the kale, which had odd, unnatural edges.  Another thing we noticed was that some of the plants have an almost waxy coating on their leaves. Presumably to repel water.

2. Using the terms that follow, explain why you think there is so much variability in the domestic forms of Brassica oleraceatraits, selective breeding, artificial selection, genes, descent with modification, natural variations, mutations

          I think that there is so much variability because in the beginning, the original plants traits were very different from the traits now. Through descent with modification, they reached a point where their genes were desirable enough for people to try and selectively breed them. This artificial selection, along with natural variations and unnoticeable mutations since then, has caused all of the different types.


3. Which part (anatomy) of the Brassica oleracea plants seems to be most consistently the same in all of the examples in our garden, regardless of how extreme the differences between other parts of the same plants may be? Why do think this is so? Again, use and include data collected from multiple measurements to support your answer.


         One of the things on the plant that has common anatomy is the size of the plants.  Each leaf had a length of about 14--16 inches.  I think they are close in the same size because the plants have a common ancestor with that size of leaves.



4. What would plant breeders have to do in order to get the body part or characteristic you described above (in your response to question #3) to become much different than it is presently?



         The breeder could take gametes from 2 different plants and put the different pollens on each plant and see if any of the plants have a fertile offspring. If one of them has a fertile one, that one will be used to breed with in the future, given its traits are desireable enough

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

A matter of selection Marco

1. Which part (anatomy) or characteristic of the Brassica oleracea plants seems to exhibit the most variation (greatest number of different forms)? Which part or characteristic of the Brassica oleracea plants seems to show the greatest range of variation (biggest difference between one extreme and its opposite)? Use and include data collected from multiple measurements to support your answer.

          When I was observing the Brassica oleracea I noticed that the anatomy of the plants varied them most on the leafs of the plant.  The biggest difference was the shape of the leafs some were round while other plants had a little curve in the leaves.  The plant with the most different leafs was the kale it was sorta wrinkly and the edges looked like they had been cut up.  The texture was also very different in all the plants some were rubberlike while others were sorta soft like but all them had a protective layer  on it which repealed water.

2. Using the terms that follow, explain why you think there is so much variability in the domestic forms of Brassica oleraceatraits, selective breeding, artificial selection, genes, descent with modification, natural variations, mutations

          There is so much variation in the plants because only some of the traits get passed down to the plants offs spring so no two plants will be exactly the same.  There is also selective breeding and the plants can breed with the healthiest plant so then their off spring have a high chance of serving.  The plants also use artificial selection because the plants breed with each other.  Each plant has different genes so then it is possible for them to survive.  The plants also have different variations from natural variations and this is because the plant gets traits from the mother and the father.  Finally the plant uses mutations to help the plants live longer.


3. Which part (anatomy) of the Brassica oleracea plants seems to be most consistently the same in all of the examples in our garden, regardless of how extreme the differences between other parts of the same plants may be? Why do think this is so? Again, use and include data collected from multiple measurements to support your answer.


One of the things on the plant that has common anatomy is the size of the plants.  Each leave was about 11-15 inches.  I think they are close in the same size because the plants may have a common ancestor that passes the leaf size trait down.



4. What would plant breeders have to do in order to get the body part or characteristic you described above (in your response to question #3) to become much different than it is presently?



The plant breeder could take pollen from 2 different plants and put the different pollens on each plant and see if any of the plants have a fertile off spring and if one of them has a fertilize off spring keep Breading utile you can bead the plants

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

A Matter of Selection Kylee Bourbon

1. Which part (anatomy) or characteristic of the Brassica oleracea plants seems to exhibit the most variation (greatest number of different forms)? Which part or characteristic of the Brassica oleracea plants seems to show the greatest range of variation (biggest difference between one extreme and its opposite)? Use and include data collected from multiple measurements to support your answer.


The biggest difference I notice in the garden is the texture and appearance of the plant leaves. Some are smooth and light green and some are dark green with deep ridges. Though some may look similar from far away, they have differences when looked closely at. Take into consideration the following plants. 



From the outside, these plant leaves may look very similar, but when looked at closely, you can see they are two different colors. The top one is a darker forest green and the bottom is a much lighter green. 

The texture of these plants are also very different. For example, 
this kale plant has very roughy and bumpy leaves,
while this plant has very smooth leaves. These pictures show the many differences in the leaves of the brassica oleracea plants in our garden. 




2. Which part (anatomy) of the Brassica oleracea plants seems to be most consistently the same in all of the examples in our garden, regardless of how extreme the differences between other parts of the same plants may be? Why do think this is so? Again, use and include data collected from multiple measurements to support your answer.
While observing the plants, I notice a couple of similarities. The most common characteristic I notice is the length of the plant leaves. Each leaf is between 11 inches to 1 foot and 3 inches. Below is a picture of 5 plants we looked at next to ruler to show how similar in size they are. I think they are all similar in leaf size because they all were planted around the same time and have all received around the same amount of water and sunlight. 



3. Using the terms that follow, explain why you think there is so much variability in the domestic forms of Brassica oleraceatraits, selective breeding, artificial selection, genes, descent with modification, natural variations, mutation

The differences in the brassica oleracea plants is due to many different things. One is selective breeding, also known as artificial selection. This is organisms choosing to breed with certain organisms, often based on their qualities. And because of this, many organisms are bred certain ways, creating diversity. Many traits of the plants are passed down from their parents, which is called descent with modification. Another reason for the variability is natural variations, which are mutations that happen randomly during sex cell division. Because of all these variables, all plants have different genes, which causes them to be different from each other.

4.What would plant breeders have to do in order to get the body part or characteristic you described above (in your response to question #3) to become much different than it is presently?
In order to change a characteristic of a plant, a breeder would have to change it's DNA, by inserting a change into the genetic code of a seedling. 

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Student Blog Post Assignment #7

Flowering plants reproduce differently than animals. They reproduce through pollination, which involves the transfer of male gametes and female ovules. After pollination, the ovules grow to seeds within a fruit.



This is a picture of our brassica. Below are some close up pictures of some of the different parts of the plant.

This picture shows the anther with a stigma on it. The anther is basically the male reproductive system of a plant and it holds pollen/sperm cells and the stigma is the female reproductive system. Pollen is spread by bees that touch the pollen.
This is a picture of the stigma. On the plant, the stigma is where the germination of pollen grains occurs. Along with the style, and ovary, the stigma is also part of another one of the flower's structures called the pistil.
This is the ovule.  Each ovule is attached to a stalk that holds it. A small opening in the integuments (outer protective layer) at the apex of the ovule allows the pollen tube to enter and inject its sperm nuclei into the embryo sac (a large ovular cell in which fertilization and development occur).


This is a closer view of the pollen grain

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Blog Post #7

Here is a picture of the brassica we used. Below are close up pictures of different parts of the plant.

This is a picture of the anther with a stigma on it. The anther is the male reproductive system and it holds pollen/sperm cells and the stigma is the female reproductive system. The anther helps pollinate by rubbing its pollen on bees that have landed on the plant.
This part of the flower is called the stigma. On the plant, the stigma is the site where germination of pollen grains occur. Along with the style and ovary, the stigma is also part of another one of the flower's structures called the pistil.
This part is the ovule.  Each ovule is attached by its base to the stalk that holds it. A small opening in the integuments at the apex of the ovule allows the pollen tube to enter and discharge its sperm nuclei into the embryo sac, a large ovular cell in which fertilization and development can occur.


This picture shows the pollen grains close up.

Blog post #7 Seth Nolan

This a picture of a brassica flower. the pictures underneath show the function of the flower under magnification.

This is a picture of an anther with stigma on it. the anther is the male reproductive system it holds pollen/sperm cells and the  stigma is the female reproductive system. The anther help pollinate by rubbing is pollen on passing bees.
This part of the flower is called the stigma. On a plant, the stigma is the site where the germination of the pollen grains occur.Along with the style and ovary, the stigma is part of the flower's structure called the pistil.
This is the ovule.  Each ovule is attached by its base to the stalk  that bears itplant structure that develops into a seed when fertilized.  A small opening  in the integuments at the apex of the ovule permits the pollen tube to enter and discharge its sperm nuclei into the embryo sac, a large oval cell in which fertilization and development occur.


this is a closs up of the pollen in our flower

Blog post #7- Marco Dal Canto





     Here is my brassica plant flower.  All of the photos below will be of this flower and its certain parts under magnification. It will show its majors functions.




      This is an image that shows the anthers that has stigma on it. The stigmas part of the female reproductive system and the anthers is part of the male reproductive system. The other side of the anthers contain pollen, which contain sperm cells. The anthers rub the pollen off on a bee or other animals that pollinate, so then the pollen can be spread.


    This is the stigma of the flower. The stigma is attached to a circle shape thing called the style that is part of the ovaries. These parts make the part of the plant called the pistil. Its main purpose is to try to get pollen from other flowers off of pollinators, wind, and water.


This is the ovule. The ovule is inside the ovary of the plant so to get this photo we had to cut it open with a tool Mr. Bursch gave us. The ovule contains egg cells, the female gamete. These little eggs will get fertilized once sperm reaches them. These cells come together when they are fertilized and become zygote. This zygote will keep dividing until it becomes a seed with the ovary over it again.  This will become another plant.







Here is a photo of the pollen. We didn't take a flower that had not bloomed yet because there would not be any pollen.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Blog Post #7 Kylee Bourbon

The fertilization in our plants occur after pollination, when pollen grains land on the sigma of a flower from the same species. One of these pollen grains develops a tiny tube that goes down the style of the ovary. This tube has a male gamete that meets the female gamete in the ovule. The fertilization of the plants occur when the male and female gametes meet and their chromosomes come together. This results in normal sets of chromosomes, with some from either parent. The newly fertilized seed will later grow into a plant. This is how plants like brassica oleracea are fertilized in order to continue to reproduce.




This is a picture of the plant we dissected. We chose a plant that had already bloomed and was big enough for us to look at.


Here, you can see the stamen surrounding the carpel. This is easily seen when the petals of the flower are removed .  The  long tube is called a filament and the end is the anther. The anther is what produces pollen, which is the male gamete.
This is the carpel. The long tube is called the  style and the end part is called the stigma. The stigma has a sticky end and is used to attract pollen.






This is the ovary of the plant sliced in half. Inside, there are very tiny unfertilized ovules.  As you can see, no carpels or stamen can be seen.



BONUS:
This is the pollen from one of the flowers under a compound-light microscope.  We chose a flower that had already fully bloomed in order to get as much pollen as possible. https://docs.google.com/document/d/10QbFcPET2PNk-5vorWPzmy5fGf8T1wcS-PLFzRhEpcQ/edit

Monday, January 23, 2017

How Does Your Garden Grow?

1). The things that are keeping our kale plants alive, healthy, and thriving are the processes of the water, nitrogen, and carbon cycles, which all bring new nutrients the plant. Photosynthesis also generates energy for the plant and helps it grow through the production of ATP energy. The ATP energy allows the plant's cells to divide through the process of mitosis, which means the plants can multiply and allow the plant to grow.



2). Enzymes are proteins that help speed up reactions by lowering the amount of energy they need to complete the reaction. Just like all other enzymes, if the nucleus receives a signal saying that there needs to be more Rubisco and PEPC produced, then the ribosomes would synthesize a chain of amino acids, which are then folded into the protein or enzyme that was needed.

Sunday, January 22, 2017

How Does Your Garden Grow?

1.)  The things that are keeping our Kale plant healthy and ever-growing are the processes of the water, nitrogen, and carbon cycles, which give the plant nutrients, and also photosynthesis, which is the main cause of the plant's growth. Photosynthesis is when the plant uses sunlight to produce ATP (energy which comes from cellular respiration).The ATP allows the plant's cells to keep dividing in a process called mitosis. This means that the cells multiply, and the plant gets larger.


2.)  Enzymes are proteins that speed up reactions by lowering the amount of energy they need. Just like all enzymes, If the nucleus receives a signal saying that there needs to be more Rubisco and PEPC, then the ribosomes would synthesize a chain of amino acids, which would then be folded into the protein/enzyme that was needed.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

How Does Your Garden Grow?

1. Photosynthesis gives our kale plant ATP which  is needed for almost all other cellular functions.   During respiration, the plant needs oxygen and glucose, which are both created through photosynthesis. Photosynthesis and cellular respiration need  each other to be complete. In the process of photosynthesis, the plant strives carbon dioxide and water which are both of which are brought out into the air during respiration. Because of the ATP, the cells are able to go through mitosis over and over  again until our plant is much bigger. 

2. The enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase which is called PEPC uses  bicarbonate to catalyze the B-carboxylation of PEP, to create the four-carbon acid oxaloacetate.Rubisco an enzyme that catalyses the carbon working with the  step in the  start of the  cycle. If more of it was made, this would speed up the process of the Calvin cycle.  PEPC does replenishing for the citric acid cycle.





Below is a picture of are kale plant

How does your garden grow?

1.   Our kale plant has been growing steadily ever since the day we planted it into the soil.  It has been adding biomass by going through mitosis.  This happens because the cells split and make more cells and the plant keeps growing up and up.  The plant keeps feeding its self by turning sun light into food and this is called photosynthesis.  Cellular respiration has been occurring and the kale plant has been giving off ATP.







2. Rubisco an enzyme that catalyses at the beginning of the Calvin Cycle.  This mean if lots of Rubiso is produced it will seed up the Calvin Cycle. The enzyme PEPC uses bicarbonate to catalyze the B-carboxylation of PEP, to create the 4-carbon acid oxaloacetate. The PEPC in our kale plant it  helps give back citric acid to help the cycal, oxaloacetate, and malate.  IT is needed to compleate nitrogen assimilation and amino acid biosynthesis. If more PEPC is made it will help  4-carbon acid oxaloacetate would continued to be made, as well as citric acid cycle intermediates, oxaloacetate and malate.




How Does Your Garden Grow?

1.Our kale plant would not be able to grow without photosynthesis, cell division, and cellular respiration. Photosynthesis provides our plant with the ATP (this ATP is a product of cellular respiration) necessary for almost all other cellular functions. In a way, photosynthesis and cellular respiration help each other out.  During photosynthesis, the plant needs carbon dioxide and water-- both of which are released into the air during respiration. And during respiration, the plant needs oxygen and glucose, which are both produced through photosynthesis. Because of the ATP, the cells are able to go through mitosis over and over and over and over again until our plant is much larger. This is why our plants continues to grow larger and larger in biomass. 

2.  Rubisco an enzyme that catalyses the carbon fixing step at the beginning of the Calvin cycle. So, if more of it was produced,  the Calvin Cycle would be able to happen faster. The enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) utilizes bicarbonate to catalyze the β-carboxylation of PEP, to form the four-carbon acid oxaloacetate. In higher plants, PEPC plays the role of replenishing the citric acid cycle intermediates, oxaloacetate and malate, which are required for nitrogen assimilation and amino acid biosynthesis. If more PEPC was produced, more four-carbon acid oxaloacetate would be produced, as well as citric acid cycle intermediates, oxaloacetate and malate in higher plants. 

Below are pictures of our plants and what they look like as of January 17, 2017.