Blog Post #6

Question 1

My groups plants grew in biomass because of photosynthesis, cellular respiration, mitosis, and cell division. Photosynthesis occurring caused cellular respiration helping the plant to grow. Cell division, or mitosis, drives development and growth in Eukaryotic organisms. with helped the plants over time to grow bigger.

Question 2

When a certain enzyme is needed the plant will begin protein synthesis. protein synthesis occurs in the Nucleus and Ribosomes. But before protein synthesis occurs transcription must happen to create a copy of DNA. mRNA had codons, which are 3 letter sequences which correspond to certain amino acids. After all that is finished the mRNA is sent to the Ribosomes. Then Translation begins to create the correct amino acids from anti-codons. When finished you will have a new enzyme ready to be used.

Student Blog Post #6: How can your garden grow?

QUESTION 1:

   Our plant has gotten bigger since we last observed it. This is because a number of things are occurring. First off Cell Division, or also known as Mitosis is happening. This is a process that drives development and growth within a Eukaryotic organism.There are five stages of mitosis. In prophase, chromatin condenses into chromosomes made up of sister chromatids joined at centromeres, and centrioles, the bases that will pull the chromatids apart, move to opposite poles on the cell's membrane. In prometaphase, the nuclear membrane dissolves and microtubules extending from each centriole grab the chromosomes' centromeres. In metaphase, the chromosomes line up across the center of the cell to form the metaphase plate. In anaphase, the sister chromatids separate and the microtubules pull one copy to each cellular pole. In telophase, all chromatids reach their respective poles, are encased in new nuclear membranes, and disperse back into a mass of chromatin.

   Next, is photosynthesis a process that provides our plant with food for its survival. It does this when photons from sunlight strike the leaf of our plant. It excites the chlorophyll and activates electrons. Water is split into oxygen and hydrogen ions. The activated electrons then go through an electron transport chain. Then an accumulation of hydrogen ions goes to the thylakoid membrane generating a proton gradient. ATP is formed when ADP and P come together, and the electrons going through the electron transport train end up combining with NADP+ to form NADPH. an energy rich molecule. Next if the light-independent or Dark reaction.This reaction uses the energy from light reaction to convert carbon dioxide into glucose, this is known as the Calvin Cycle.

   Finally, cellular respiration. During cellular respiration a glucose molecule is gradually broken down into carbon dioxide and water. Along the way some ATP is produced directly in the reactions that transform glucose. More ATP is produced later in a process called oxidative phosphorylation. It is powered by the movement of electrons through the electron transport chain.

QUESTION 2:

   A cell will begin protein synthesis when it a certain enzyme is needed, this is because enzymes are proteins. Protein synthesis happens in the Nucleus and Ribosomes, but before the cell must create mRNA. It makes it during a process called Transcription when a copy of DNA is made. The mRNA has codons, 3 letter sequences on it, they are the codes for amino acids. Translation then begins after the mRNA is made and it is sent to the ribosomes. Translation is a process where the ribosome reads each of the codons using an anti-codon and creates the correct amino acid. When its done its left with a new protein that would be an enzyme if requested.

Sophia's Seed Story

1. She learned that the seed grew differently when they were placed in different salt solutions.
2. How much difference there were in the seeds.
3. How little some seeds grew.
4. How the salt affected the growth

Sophia learned how the seeds grew differently when placed in different salt solutions. One thing that surprised her was how much of a difference there was. What made her laugh was how some seeds grew compared to others. What made her think deeper is why some were so affected by the salt concentration.

Elliot's Seed Story

     During Elliot's story of the seed, he has learned about how to take care of plants, and be overall better in the garden. He was surprised mostly because he grew his plant with Ginger Ale, which he did not expect it to grow well. The funniest part for Elliot, was his team members. Specifically Nate, and Ethan. They added great humor like no others, during this project. The part that made Elliot pause, and think deeper was when he was doing the story of the seed blog post #3. He had to think outside the box, and take time, along with research. Overall Elliot says he had a fantastic story of the seed experience, and learned a lot.

Blogpost #4: An Ecological Analysis of the Garden and your Plants

   Abiotic factors that that our plant depends on for survival is the weather. Like the sunlight, and rain, soil, and climate. The plant needs sunlight to be able to perform photosynthesis to create food and energy for itself, and it needs rain so that it can get water and stay alive.  The soil need to be able to support the plant with its minerals and absorb water. Climate has to have lots of sunlight and have rain with proper temperatures. Biotic factors affect the growth of the plants with things such as Herbivory, Parasitism, and Mutualism. Herbivores are animals that eat and feed off of the plants for survival, for example there are certain bugs and animals that feed off of our plant to stay alive. Parasitism is when the plant is harmed by another organism but the organism benefits. For example if there were aphids on our plant eating away at it that benefit them but not our plant. Also Mutualism which is when both plant and organism would benefit. For example if the bacteria Rhizobium lived within the roots of our plant, the bacteria gets its energy from the roots and it also provides the plant with nitrogen it can absorb. I also know my plant is engaged in competition because its near other plants. It is competing for sunlight. Our plant needs sunlight to make and store food so it can survive. Everyone who is growing plants around ours is in competition with our plant. The winner is determined by who grows the best. It can be sometimes hard to tell who wins and who loses because there is limited amount of essential ingredients to start with. This forces the plants to have to have a head-to-head competition, which forces them to share the resources as possible. Other interactions among plants are when a plant is growing off another. Where one plant uses the other to grow. The one that grows off the other one benefits from its nutrients and sunlight, the one that is being grown off of is being negatively affected because it is losing resources. Evidence in the garden that is is succeeding is that all of the plants are growing and look healthy. They all get sunlight, have proper soil, water, and resources for survival. This is secondary succession because the plants were planted by us in the garden after they had already grown for a while as well.

Blogpost #3: Biogeochemical Cycles and your Plants

   This week our plant has grown a lot. It is a lot larger and very green. It looks like there is more than one root that has spouted out of the ground and is wider then the other plants out there. Our plant participates in the water cycle with transpiration. This is the process where moisture is carried through plants from roots to small pores on the underside of the leaves, where it changes to vapor and is released into the atmosphere. The role in the water cycle relate to the changes in the plant making it look healthier, more green, and larger. Our plant participates in the Carbon cycle by doing photosynthesis, this is when the plant takes in Carbon Dioxide and water using the chlorophyll in its leaves and energy from the sun, it releases oxygen and water vapor and sugar. Our plants role in the Carbon cycle relates to the changes in how it looks by helping it grow, and keeping it alive. Without photosynthesis the plant would not be able to feed itself, causing it to die. So the plant does photosynthesis to affect the growth, and in our plant it has paid off for it because it looks a lot bigger. Our plants role in the movement of Nitrogen starts with bacteria. Bacteria helps change the nitrogen so plants can use it. Animals then will get Nitrogen from the plants that absorb it. Nitrogen can relate to the plants growth this week because without nitrogen, out plant could not live. It helps make the chlorophyll in our plant which helps with photosynthesis to make its food and energy.

Hello my name is Adam Pina. I was born in Los Gatos California.  I've been living here all my life since 2003 which is when i was born.Most of my family lives in san jose but on my dads side his family lives in Yuma Arizona.


 I dont garden at all really its just really my mom and sometimes I help to water the plants and the flowers. My dads brother other know as my uncle he goes to the flea market and has a friend who buys and sells flowers,plants, and foods that grow on trees. I go with him sometimes to go help him with the plants and other stuff. Also my family on my moms side has like some plants that they grow in their back yard. I help them on the weekends beacause they have like a stand that they use in front of their house to sell their plants and produce.  Maybe after this project i will learn more about plants.