Discussion 1 Address one of the topics given below in a primary posting that consists of at least one paragraph addressing the discussion questions posed. Also, please reply to at least one fellow...

Discussion 1
Address one of the topics given below in a primary posting that consists of at least one paragraph addressing the discussion questions posed. Also, please reply to at least one fellow student under any topic.
Topic A: DNA vs. RNA. Discuss the differences between DNA and RNA. Explain why DNA is the most favorable molecule for genetic material and how RNA compares to it in this respect.
Topic B: Meiosis I vs. Meiosis II. Describe the major differences between Meiosis I and Meiosis II.
Topic C: Bioethics of Bird Flu Research. Read an article about the H5N1 bird flu research at one of the following websites. What are the benefits to society of this research? What are the risks? Should this research be allowed? If so, should it be published? Justify your answer.
Address
one of the topics
given below in a primary posting that consists of at least one paragraph addressing the discussion questions posed. Also, please reply to at least one fellow student under any topic.
Discussion 2
Topic A. Metabolism, apoptosis and cancer. How does the following blog post tie in with this week’s lessons? Explain. What does this post tell us about the link between metabolism, apoptosis and cancer?
Myers, PZ (2011, May 16) Dichloroacetate and cancer [blog post]. Retrieved fromhttp://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/05/dichloroacetate_and_cancer.php
Topic B. Nanothermometers. A group working at the University of California, Berkeley has developed “nanothermometers”, little nanoparticles that can be injected into cells to measure the temperature in various places in the cell. So far, it has been used in cells growing in a culture dish. What do you think they will find about the temperature in different parts of the cell? Will it be the same or different? Why?
Topic C. Exercise/Brain. What are the main points of the following blog post. How does it relate to this week’s lesson?
Reynolds, G. (2011, September 28) How exercise can strengthen the brain. [blog post]. Retrieved from: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/28/how-exercise-can-strengthen-the-brain/
Topic D. Exercise/Young. What are the main points of the following blog post? How does it relate to this week’s lesson?
Reynolds, G. (2011, March 2) Can exercise keep you young? [blog post]. Retrieved from: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/can-exercise-keep-you-young/
Discussion 3
For your primary posting, pick one of the following articles. What is the main point of the article? What are the benefits of the genetically-modified organism(s) described in the article? What are the risks to society? How can non-scientist citizens arrive at an informed opinion in such matters? Also, please reply to at least one fellow student under any topic.
Topic A: Synthetic Life. Cookson, C (2012, July 27). Synthetic life: the revolution begins. Financial Times. Retrieved from http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/918ef6ae-d5f4-11e1-a5f3-00144feabdc0.html#axzz224psgOiB
Topic B: Biofuels. Carrington, D. (2012, January 19) GM microbe breakthrough paves way for large-scale seaweed farming for biofuels. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jan/19/gm-microbe-seaweed-biofuels
Topic C: Bacteria/Cancer. Cox, J. F. (2005, February 26) Using genetically-modified bacteria to fight cancer at Johns Hopkins. [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.winticomack.com/article.php?essay=a050226
Topic D: Food. Federoff, N. V. (2010, August 18) Engineering food for all. [Op Ed]. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/opinion/genetically-engineered-food-for-all.html?_r=1