So Small, Yet SOOO COMPLEX

Dr. Fong was a quest speaker for Mr. Olson's Biology class. Dr. Fong explained to the class about the functions and parts of the eye. She told us that the eye is very complex, that even Mr. Charles Darwin was stuck on how the eye had evolved. Dr. Fong also told the class that, looking at the eye, and its veins and arteries, a expert can tell if the person has high blood pressure, if the person was blond hair, young or old, if a person had diabetes, and even high cholesterol. Another interesting fact is that no one has the same Retina as you. Not even twins have the same Retina. When dissecting the sheep eye, the Retina was a opaque color, and Dr. Fong pointed out that, the older the eye, the more of an opaque color. A younger is clearer then the older eye. Dr. Fong was a great presenter, even though I didn't know much, if not anything about the eye before, Dr. Fong explained the basics and the functions of the eye clearly. She explained the "hard to understand" terms in simple terms, so that everyone can understand, which think really help the class to listen to. I really enjoyed the guest speaker, and I am now looking forward to learn more about the eye!

The Jack Pine.

Something That Will Blow Your Mind!!!

Louise Mead of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) came into Mr. Olson's classroom in Mills High School to teach the class how evolution works. Her interest in Salamanders, has lead her to believe evolution is highly possible. She also found that Salamanders from the Eastern United States, were found in Japan. The students were amazed on the information and pictures that were shown on a PowerPoint presentation. Her explanation of how monkeys and humans shared common ancestors shocked some students. Louise Mead also talked about natural and sexual selection, how different species evolved over time. At the end of the end of the day, Mr. Olson and his students learned many new facts and saw the possibility of evolution. She clearly proved that evolution had occurred on earth, and that we all share common ancestors. This presentation was a outstanding summary of the life on Earth, that would help students understand what would be learned in class in the future.

Mammoth Bones Found

MAMMOTH BONES WERE FOUND!!The bones were found in a cave on Alaska. It was a isolated island called the Pribilof Islands. The bones date to around 5,700 years ago - at least 2,200 years younger than any other known North American mammoth. Some say that humans were the cause of the extinction of these giant animals. Mammoths died out on mainland Alaska around 11,500 years ago. But they are known to have lived longer somewhere else. Last year, other Mammoth bones were found on St. Paul Island that was reported to be 7,900 years old. On Wrangel Island, near Siberia, another Mammoth bones were found that was more then 3,700 years old. Most of these island mammoths, including the St Paul animals, were smaller than normal - . "The animals may have shrunk in size as the island itself shrank, losing ground as sea levels rose after the end of the last ice age". said Crossen. I think that Mammoths were living longer, until our early ancestors killed the mammoths. Finding a frozen Mammoth with blood or something, could possibly let us humans to clone a Mammoth.

Oil Spill in San Fransisco

The oil spill that occured last week in San Fransisco, was very dangerous to the environment and the people. Many animals died due tothe oil that landed on the bay. 58,000 gallons on oil covered a great area of the water. I think that the people that have to clean the oil, should deserve a great amount of respect from the commuinity.

STEM CELL RESEARCH

i saw this article on bionews.org and i thought it was interesting because we were learning about cells and the different functions of a cell. In New Jersey, people have the chance to vote for a a stem cell research, that is going to cost 450 million dollars. This is a lot of money, but i think it might be worth every penny of it, if the scientists can find new facts that might actually change the future. They might be able to prevent diseases and other harmful bacteria and viruses. If i lived in New jersey and had the chance to vote for this, i would approve of it, even though my taxes go might go up. i feel like this a good cause, and that it has potential to change the future. I think if 450 million dollars can save 1 humen life, i think it is worth every penny. I hope this reasearch gets passed by the voters of New Jersy and that it can lead to a better future.

BIO NEWS