Thursday, April 26, 2012

Sunflower Blog

This is the growth of my sunflower plant step by step...

















This final picture above is Thursday, April 26, 2012, and no flower has bloomed, but it is pretty tall and the leaves are alive and well!  I'll probably just plant it in a garden at Mercer and try to find it in the fall!

Mitochondrial Eve


Mitochondrial Eve is known as "the maternal ancestor of all living humans."  Although she was not the only woman or being living at the time, she is said to be the most recent common ancestor of all humans.  She was said to live about 200,000 years ago.  All living humans are said to have the same mitochondrial DNA, and this DNA comes from Mitochondrial Eve, even though it is not a known fact that she was even human.  Mitochondrial Eve is said to be originally from Africa, and her "legacy" slowly passed along throughout the whole world, ending in North and South America.

  

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Animal Testing

By definition, animal testing, also known as animal experimentation, animal research, and in vivo testing, is the use of non-human animals in experiments. Worldwide it is estimated that the number of vertebrate animals—from zebrafish to non-human primates—ranges from the tens of millions to more than 100 million used annually.  I believe that animal testing is a good thing.  However, I do not believe it is always a humane act.  The reasons I think that animal testing could be a good thing is for medical procedures that will eventually be used on humans.  Also, I think that testing new products on animals rather than humans is definitely okay.  However, when people take it so far as to torturing animals in order to achieve a futile goal, I do not believe in this process at all.  I believe that animal testing should strictly be used for the betterment of understanding in the medical field in order to help humans... and that's it!


Standard Operating Procedure



Overview:  We will teach you how to leave Mercer University in your car
Equipment/ Supplies:
Equipment: The equipment you’ll need is a safe car with all of its parts working, especially a seatbelt.
Supplies:  You will need a set of keys to a car, preferably your own car, a comfortable outfit, and a pair of close-toed shoes.
Procedures:
            Step One:  Find your car in the parking lot
            Step Two:  Unlock your car and get into your driver’s seat
            Step Three:  Close your door and put your seatbelt on
Step Four:  Stick your key into the ignition and turn your car on
Step Five:  Put your foot on the break and put your car into “reverse”
Step Six:  Check your rearview mirrors and slowly let your foot off the break in order to roll out of your spot
Step Seven:  Turn your wheel clockwise/ counterclockwise depending on where the exit is
Step Eight:  Once out of the parking spot fully, press the breaks and put the car into “drive”
Step Nine:  Turn your wheel the opposite way it was backing out, and slowly let off the breaks
Step Ten:  Once your wheel is straightened and you are headed towards the exit, let off the breaks fully and you can even press on the gas
Step Eleven:  Once at the exit of the parking lot, make sure you stop/ yield according to the signs provided
Step Twelve:  After following the signs, you are out of the parking lot and on the roads!  CONGRATS!
Quality Control:  Always make sure your car has gas and battery before you drive.  Make sure you remember where you parked so you’re never searching around for your car for too long.  Always take precautions when driving (i.e. checking surroundings and mirrors, following signs, having a plan as to where to go,…)