Microbiology: Diversity, Benefits and Detriments of Microbes

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Microbiology: Diversity, Benefits and Detriments of Microbes

MY TOPIC

  • Environmental Microbiology

2)  Now choose any microorganism with positive beneficial activity in this area and research it using credible academic sources.
Please discuss which microorganism you chose, what type of creature is it (virus, bacteria, etc.), where is it commonly found, what it consumes, what its positive role is in the particular microbiology field, and any other interesting information you find on your organism.
Your initial response to this week’s discussion should be well-written in your own words, paraphrasing from your sources. You must also cite your credible academic reference sources and provide full end ref information in APA format. The initial post must be at least 300-400 words
you are not to discuss a human pathogen, meaning an organism that causes disease in Medical Microbiology or Public Health Micro.

DISCUSS THE INFLUENCE OF TIDAL FRICTION AND THE HISTORY OF THE EARTH-MOON SYSTEM ON EITHER THE SEDIMENTARY HISTORY OR BIOLOGY OF THE OCEANS.

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DISCUSS THE INFLUENCE OF TIDAL FRICTION AND THE HISTORY OF THE EARTH-MOON SYSTEM ON EITHER THE SEDIMENTARY HISTORY OR BIOLOGY OF THE OCEANS.

Homework Questions March 2016
Turbulence can occur when shear (∆ V) in a current reaches critical (high) values. This is particularly important in the upper thermocline.
Turbulent mixing occurs when the shear overcomes the vertical stability of the water column as measured by the Brunt-Viasala frequency
N² = – g/ρ dρ/dz [1/s²].
Turbulence occurs when the non-dimensional Richardson number
Ri = N²/ (dV/dz)² < 1.
If N ~ f ~ 10 ^-4 [1/s] what shear is necessary to create turbulent mixing?
What does this do to the phytoplankton thin layers discussed in Durham et al. 2009 Science , 323, 20 Feb, 2009 (also see Perspective in same issue)?
What does the horizontal gradient in the thermocline depth have to do with this?
A bottom mounted acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) deployed on a reef measures mean velocities at two depths above the deployment depth. The lower one at z = 1 m measures a mean flow of 0.046 m/s and the upper one at z = 2 m measures a flow of 0.148 m/s. Using the log-law formulation calculate u* and zo. Also calculated the vertical diffusivity, Kz.
Two ports along a coast line are 300 km apart. One port has high tides 30 minutes later than the other. How deep is the effective depth for the tidal propagation. If we are on the western side of an ocean in the northern hemisphere which port is farther north?
A community of mussels lives one meter (1 m) below mean sea level. If the region has a two meter (2 m) semidiurnal tide, how many hours per day are the mussels exposed?
If blue heron can consume 2 mussels per hour but require exposed mussels and a croaker can consume one mussel per hour but requires 0.5 m of water to swim, which is the greater predator?
Consider a tidal estuary with a surface area of 100 X 20 Km = 2,000 km² and an average depth of 2 m. If the tidal range is 0.2 m driven by a dominate M2 tide and the riverine input is Qr = 100 m³/s calculate the following:
The mean residence time for fresh water in the estuary.
Expected tidal flushing time.
Average estuarine salinity if the offshore salinity is So=33.
Discuss the issues involved with pollutants entering the estuary via the river versus those directly input to the estuary.
Upwelling on the California coast is typically estimated to amount to approximately a Sverdrup (T= 1 X 10^6 m^3/s) along a coast of L ~ 2000 km. Convert this to mass transport (kg/s) using an appropriate estimate of density and then calculate the wind stress needed to produce this flux using the Ekman transport equation. (Note this problem involves a careful attention to units. The answer should be in Nt/m²).
The Columbia River plume extends in the expected direction in the low flow regime, but in summer puts freshwater on the Oregon coast. Explain this phenomenon.
Choose another river in the world and produce an analysis of their estuaries and the coastal circulations they are involved with.
9) Discuss the influence of tidal friction and the history of the earth-moon system on
either the sedimentary history or biology of the oceans.
10) Consider the Winyah Bay estuary in South Carolina. The Bay is feed by the Pee Dee River system with a drainage area of 33 X 10³ km² and two smaller rivers that combined with Winyah Bay (65 km² in area). The two smaller rivers drain an area of 5,000 km².
Now if the Pee Dee system has been gauged to have a minimum flow in Aug.-Nov. of 200 m³/s and a maximum flow during the rainy season (Dec.-Mar.) of 1500 m³/s for an average of 600 m³/s, what is the expected total freshwater flux? (Hint: At this point you know nothing about the surface fluxes over the area, i.e. E or P.)
Now if the annual average temperature in South Carolina is T = 18º C and the precipitation based on a rain gauge network is P = 130 cm/yr calculate the freshwater influx to the Bay using the ∆f/P equation given in the lecture. How does this compare with the estimate obtained above? Why might a difference be expected?
If the average depth of the Bay is 2 m, what is the expected residence time for freshwater in the estuary? Given a semi-diurnal tidal range of one meter what flushing time does the tidal prism balance give? Discuss the possible reasons for any difference.

WHY IS PLAY CONSIDERED BY SOME TO BE A “CENTRAL PARADOX OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY”?

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WHY IS PLAY CONSIDERED BY SOME TO BE A “CENTRAL PARADOX OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY”?

Prologue: Warm-up & Chapter 1: Play Ball
Please answer each of the following questions in your own words:
1) According to Stuart Brown what are the seven essential characteristics of play?
2) Why is play considered by some to be a “central paradox of evolutionary biology”?
3) Describe at least two ways in which play is beneficial to mammal species.
4) According to William Calvin how the throwing motion help to jump-start the evolution of the modern human brain? Do you think this theory makes sense?   Why or why not?
5) What is the earliest evidence for playing a ball game anywhere in the world?
6) Why did Roman physician/philosopher Galen argue that ball play was the best form of exercise?

Briefly discuss three (3) properties of water then explain what is meant by the structure of water accounting for each of its properties.

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 WEEK 2 DISCUSSION: BIOLOGY, “MITOCHONDRIA, WATER, MOLECULES, AND CELL STRUCTURE

 Week 2 Discussion: Biology,
“Mitochondria, Water, Molecules, and Cell Structures”
Note: Online students, please respond to one (1) of the following four (4) bulleted options.
The cell is comprised of very important components including the mitochondria. Please view this video describing mitochondrial disease which is found here. Keep in mind that one of the symptoms of mitochondrial disease is fatigue (weak and tired). Next discuss two (2) functions of mitochondria and why you believe each of these functions is important. Then explain two (2) ways that the inability of mitochondria to perform their proper function can account for mitochondrial disease symptoms. Justify your response.
Water is essential to life. Briefly discuss three (3) properties of water then explain what is meant by the structure of water accounting for each of its properties. Next choose one (1) of the properties of water below and explain two (2) ways the property can be useful for living systems.
Cohesion
Adhesion
High Specific Heat
Floating Ice
Good Solvent Properties
Dissociation of water molecules
Are you really what you eat? Many of us have heard the saying, “you are what you eat”. Please view the quick crash course on carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins here then describe the processes needed to distinguish whether a biological molecule is a carbohydrate, lipid, or protein. Next consider your daily intake of foods this week and note the various carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins you ingested. Discuss three (3) ways that your diet relates to the molecules of life and their function. Justify your response.
Consider three (3) structures and functions of a cell then provide a 100 to 250 word explanation based on the following question: “How do varied membrane composition and the structural features of molecules in different cells contribute to membrane function?”
“Juvenile Delinquency Interventions”
Using what you’ve learned this week, respond to the following prompts in your post:
Think about the following questions: Do rational people commit crimes? Do they choose to commit a crime? Are they intelligent? Do they aim to maximize pleasure and minimize pain? If someone believes all of these questions they most likely would agree with choice theories. Speculate on the school of criminology choice theories are derived from. Next, based on your selection of school of criminology, debate whether or not you agree with these theories. Justify your response.
A number of studies have been undertaken which show a very real connection between delinquent and /or criminal behavior, and single parent families. Wright and Wright’s (1994) research shows that single parent families, and in particular mother-only families, produce more delinquent children than two parent families. Indeed the very absence of intact families makes gang membership more appealing (Muehlenberg 2002). Based on this information, discuss whether or not you believe these statements are true or false. Provide support for your response.