Bio: Burning Fossil Fuels

Burning Fossil Fuels
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Quiz 1: The Effect of Burning Fossil Fuels on the Carbon Cycle and its Consequences
The carbon cycle represents the natural process through which carbon dioxide is transferred among the atmosphere, living organisms, land, and water bodies. Under natural conditions, the carbon cycle is balanced and stable since it self-regulates the amount of carbon dioxide that enters into any of the elements within the cycle (Falkowski, 2000). Fossil fuels are made up of carbon compounds like coal and oil. The burning of fossil fuels by human beings disrupts this balance because it releases large amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, more than the natural processes like respiration in plants (producers) and the decomposition of dead matter can remove. This results in the saturation of the atmosphere with carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas because it traps heat in the atmosphere by absorbing the sun’s infrared heat waves instead of reflecting them back to space. This in turn causes global warming by increasing temperature levels in the atmosphere.
In the long term, burning of fossil fuels can cause climate changes and related natural disasters. For instance, glacial melting and thawing of mountain ice caps will occur due to the rising temperatures. This will increase sea levels (as a result of the water released by glaciers and ice on mountain tops and flows into rivers) and cause floods and tsunamis (Falkowski, 2000). At the same time, coastal regions will experience higher rainfalls due to high rates of evaporation and compound the problems of floods and tsunamis. At the same time, inland regions will experience droughts due to a reduction of moisture in the atmosphere, which will have a negative impact on agricultural production.
Quiz 2: Speciation of Anole Lizards in the Caribbean Islands
The speciation of lizards could have risen from occupying of different niches, which had different environments and required adaptation for survival. According to a research carried out in the region, a species of lizards known as the anoles began colonizing the Caribbean islands over 40 million years ago (Main, 2013). Over time, the lizards multiplied and continued to colonize new territories with environmental conditions different from their original setting. This led to diversification of the species because they had to adopt differently in their respective environments. For instance, living in different ecosystems meant that the lizards survived on different foods, and consequently, adopted different eating habits.
After several years, the anoles evolved into separate species to become better adapted to the niches they colonized. For example, some lizards live on tree trunks, others in the grasses, while some live among twigs on the trees. So as to survive, each group must undergo evolutionary changes to become suited for their respective environments. Those living on tree trunks developed stickier toes to grasp on trunks and brown skins to blend with the tree barks, where they can forage for insects. Those living among twigs became slender to enhance easy and undetectable movement to while those living in the grasses developed a green pigment for camouflage. This process of adapting to environmental conditions is responsible for the emergence of anole lizards with different characteristics.
Quiz 3: DNA during Interphase
The DNA strand remains invisible during the inter-phase stage because it is in an uncondensed state. The DNA’s portions are used during this period in the transcription of RNA molecules to create the required proteins and enzymes to sustain normal cell functions such as protein synthesis and growth (Cremer & Cremer, 2001). At the same time, DNA replication is not taking place, and each chromosome had only one molecule of DNA. Instead the DNA strand is stretched out, making it difficult to see it under a microscope.
At the same time, the chromatin in the nucleus becomes very diffuse, and for this reason individual chromosomes cannot be seen. However, the chromosomes’ DNA replicates during the S-phase (synthesis phase), after which they acquire two chromatins made up of two DNA molecules on each chromosome. Although still condensed, the chromosomes are slightly distinct and their outline can be made out under a microscope. At the end of Gap two (G-2) the cell’s cytoplasm replicates in readiness for cell division during mitosis, which makes it to become distinctly visible (Cremer & Cremer, 2001).
Quiz 4: Formation of Daughter Cells during Meiosis
During cell division, mitosis produces two identical daughter cells with each containing an equal number of genetic information (chromosomes) as their parent cells. In contrast, meiosis produces four distinct daughter cells, each containing half the number of the parent cell’s chromosomes (O’Connor, 2008). Because meiosis gives rise to daughter cells meant for reproduction (gametes), the reduction of the number of chromosomes by half is necessary to avoid producing offspring with double the normal number of chromosomes during fertilization when two gametes unite.
The pairing of chromosomes during meiosis is responsible for the genetic variation that takes place in daughter cells. Meiosis results in random combinations of genetic information in each of the four daughter cells as a result of DNA exchange between the paired chromosomes. During this stage, crossing over of genetic material between the chromosomes occurs, which involves the mixing of genes from the male and female chromosomes. The gametes subsequently separate resulting in four haploid daughter cells that are distinctly different from the parent cell as well as from each other (O’Connor, 2008). Most importantly, the exchange is random, such that there is a nil chance of perfect matching of genetic material in the daughter cells. The exchange of DNA material in this way results in gametes with an unlimited range of genetic variation. It is for this reason, the reshuffling of genetic material ...