Earth-like Planet Found Beyond

With the new idea that there may possible be a planet in another solar system with the same ablilty to support life, many astronomers have been searching for those few planets that could sustain our lifestyles. After searching through the countless mile of space and looking through the stars, astronomers might have found what they have been searching for. One astronomer told CNN that this is the first rocky planet found in another solar system. Although this new discovery has the same composition as the planet that we live on today, all the other aspects that we need to survive aren't present on this planet, called CoRoT-7b.

CoRoT-7b is so close to it's star that one of its years is less than one of our days. Astronomers believe that the planet doesn't rotate like Earth, this means that one side of the planet is always facing the star while the other never sees the light. The possible tempature for the planets 'day face', the side that is always facing the star, is a sweltering hot3,600 plus degrees Fahrenheit. While the possible tempature on the 'night face', the side that faces away from the star, is a frigid minus-328 degress Fahrenheit. With these extremely varing tempatures there is no possible way CoRoT-7b could ever support human life. Even if the tempatures weren't so extreme, the astronomers don't think that there is any atmosphere on this planet to distribute to heat. CoRoT-7b has no may to support us like Earth does.

After the astronomers found out what the surface of this planet was they then searched for some more information. One of the advantages of this planet is that it's close to Earth, being only 500 light years away, this planet is in the constellation of Monoceros, the Unicorn. Since the planet is so close, it has made it much easier for astronomers to figure out more about CoRoT-7b. The scientists that have been studing this planet, have been able to calcute the density which was very exciting to them. They found that it is about the same density as Earth. CoRoT-7b is about 5 times as dense as Earth but is less than half of Earths circumfrence. This is the smallest planet ever scene beyond our solar system, it also has the fastest orit, speeding around its star over seven times faster than Earth sround our Sun. It's amazing that any rock based planet can be more than 23 times closer to the sun than Mercury. Many different astronomers and severally institutions from many places in our world have been a part of this astounding discovery.

For our astronomers to have found a planet with the same inner compostion to Earth is very exciting. After finding this planet, scientist now have more of a confidence that there are more planets out in space that are like are home planet, Earth. This will keep their hopes alive and they will look into this idea with more of a meaning behind thier research. Personally I think that this discovery is very instersing and i hope that our astronomers will continue to look deeper into space to try to find more planets like CoRoT-7b and Earth.

Article

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/09/16/new.rocky.planet/index.html

Picture

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/08/07/gallery/exoplanet-580x574.jpg

Cornstarch Lab Conclusion

In this lab, we combined cornstarch and water to make a gooey substance. This substance resembles the mantle of the Earth. When the goo was acted upon with heat and pressure it would harder, but when it was left alone it would return to its original state. The substance looked like a liquid but it could support objects like a solid. If we tried to push our finger through it quickly, the goo would act like a solid and resist our finger. Then if we tried the same thing only slowly, the mixture would act like a liquid and allow our finger to go through. The mixture is similar to the mantle because it's similar to a liquid, but is strong enough to support objects. This mixture is a great stimulant of the Earth's mantle.

This lab had a great purpose behind it. It showed us what the mantle was like in a fun way. Also, it was very hands on and we were able to play with the mixture. Since we were able to play with the mixture it made it easier to understand what the mantle was. I think hands-on labs make it easier to learn.

C.A.R.E.S Connection to "October Sky"

Not only does the movie "October Sky" connect to science it also connects to our schools acronym C.A.R.E.S. The main character of the movie Homer Hickam showed a great amount of self-control. As he was starting to make hsi dream come true by sending a rocket into the sky, he had many people making fun of him. Most teenagers would've fought with the other kids that were making fun of them, but Homer didn't let it bother him. He knew what he wanted and kept going even though he was being made fun of. Homer Hickam is a great example of self-control.

Science Connection to "October Sky"

As we viewed the movie "October Sky" in class, there were many connections to science. First, most of the movie revolved around the coal-mining community the Rocket Boys came from. Everything in this town was owned by the coal company and coal-minig was the way of life. Coal creates fuel. Coal-mining helps creates fuel that then creates engery. Engery is a huge part of our world and is a huge part of the science world. Also, this idea of coal-mining relates to science in the form of the Earth. Coal is held inside the Earth and the miners have to dig into the Earth to reach it. The miners need to know the layout of the area of the mine so nothing to unexpected happens to them while working. They will have to map out the lay of the inside of the Earth. The men are also gaining Earth's natural resources to help live. There are many different ways science connects to the coal mines of the movie "October Sky".

Response to Phenylkentonuria

The genetic disease Phenylketonuria is passed on from generation to generation, from parents to children. This disease is mainly found in infants and is caused by an excess amount of protein in the newborns body. This disease has many symptoms that go along with it. For example if its not treated soon after its discovered the newborn can experience brain damage. On the other hand this genetic disease has a cure. Those diagnosed will have a treatment to look to and will be able to be cured and live a normal life.

This genetic disease affects newborns soon after they are born. Although it may be hard for people to live with there is a cure. People diagnosed can have something to look forward to. This disease is very unfortunate to those that it affects, and can cause a lot of hardships in a family, but those affected have something to look forward to. A normal life. Its amazing that our society is able to cure these diseases that can cause so much pain.

Angelman Syndrome

Genetic diseases affect many people throughout our country, our world. Founded in 1965 by a man named Harry Angelman. Angelman Syndrome is caused by mutations in the UBE3A gene that people inherit from their mothers. This genetic disease only affects about every one in 12,000 ti 20,000 people in the United States and there is about a total of 1,000 cases of Angelman Syndrome in America today. Around the world there is between 92,702 and 154,504 cases. The people diagnosed with this genetic disorder have many symptoms that they have to cope with throughout their life.

Having this diseases from birth, children have feeding troubles and developmental issues as babies. As the persons diagnosed with the disease grows older there are more problems that they have to fight through. Hyperactivity, sleep disorders, seizures, hand flapping, and movement and balance disorders are all effects of Angelman Syndrome. Not only will this disease affect the behavior of the person with the disease, it also affects the appearance of that person. Another characteristic of this genetic diseases is having a small head size. Those who suffer with this disease, have hard lives but there are some ways to control the symptoms.

At this point in history there is no exact cure but there are ways to help those diagnosed to cope with the symptoms. There are many different therapies to help with all the troubles faced. Therapy for seizures, physical and occupational, communication, and behavior are all part of the treatment. Even though there is no cure there is only ways to cope with the symptoms, the people diagnosed usually have a normal life span. Although people that have this genetic disorder have no cure those diagnosed will get to live an long life.

Angelman Syndrome is a genetic disorder that effects the nervous system and many other parts of a persons body that helps them live completely normal lives. They have trouble with balance and motor skills, also, they experience developmental delays. These people have to fight everyday of their life just to live the way most people do. They face issues that we could never imagine, and some how are able to still love life. These people can teach us all a lesson about valuing what we have and what we were lucky enough not to have to face.

Citations

www.hmc.psu.edu/children/healthinfo/a/angelman.htm
www.nih.gov
www.noah-health.org/en/gentics
www.genome.gov/1ooo1204
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DNA Extraction Conclusion

The purpose of this experiment was to try to extract DNA from cells. Before the experiment I had many ideas as to what the DNA would look like once we got it out of the cells. Thinking it would be one long string and a white color, I didn’t think this experiment would be much. Very soon after we started it I was mistaken. We had to apply a few ingredients that played a vital roll in extracting the DNA. First we added detergent to the tube containing the cells. This broke down the fats that helped protect the cell. We then added enzymes, this broke up the proteins in the cells. Next salt was added to saturate the solution. This made it very uncomfortable in the cells. The last step was to add alcohol; this sat at the top of the solution and gave the DNA a place to move to. Also the alcohol is very clear and made it easy to see the DNA. When all of these variables were added to the cells it forces the DNA out and into the alcohol. Every ingredient added was put in to make the DNA uncomfortable in the cells.

This experiment has many examples as to how it is reliable. We had the cells and very easy to understand directions which made it easy to follow. This way there is no way there could have been a mistake. Also all the ingredients were set out for us and we didn’t have to get them ourselves. The cells were placed in clean containers and were capped so no other material except the ones we wanted could get in. Also in this experiment we would be able to see if it wasn’t reliable because I saw the DNA so I know I did it right. As with any experiment there are always so variables that affect the experiment. Like the room temperature, and if everyone put the same amount of each item in there beaker. Although there are some controlled variables, there were a lot of independent variables. Also the result of the experiment came out as it was supposed to I clearly saw the DNA.

Through out this lab I have learned some vital things about cells. I saw how DNA can be extracted from a cell. After we conducted the experiment our teacher explained how each item affected and broke down the cell. Since I learned that salt saturates the cells I now know how it can affect a human. Also, seeing a plants DNA and a persons DNA and how they look a little different, it helps show how our make ups differ. For such a simple experiment I learned so much about a human.