Puijila Darwini - 'Missing Link' In Evolution Of Seals, Sea Lions And Walruses

In 1859, when Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species was first published, the fossil record was poorly known, and Darwin described the lack of transitional fossils as "the most obvious and gravest objection which can be urged against my theory", but explained it by the extreme imperfection of the geological record.^[1] He noted the limited collections available at that time, but described the available information as showing patterns which followed from his theory of descent with modification through natural selection.^[2][3] Indeed, Archaeopteryx was discovered just two years later, in 1861, and represents a classic transitional form between dinosaurs and birds.^[3]

Many more transitional fossils have been discovered since then and it is now considered that there is abundant evidence of how all the major groups of animals are related, much of it in the form of transitional fossils.^[3]

Researchers from the United States and Canada have found a fossil skeleton of a newly discovered carnivorous animal, Puijila darwini. New research suggests Puijila is a "missing link" in the evolution of the group that today includes seals, sea lions, and the walrus.

For this project do one of the following:

Read one of these articles about the Puijila: Article 1, article 2

Or watch this video

Then you must find and link to an article or web page or video about something to do with fossil records, especially fossil records that fill in gaps, like these transitional fossils.

Finally you must write 2 paragraphs (each paragraph should be at least 3 well constructed sentences) about the site you have chosen and its importance in the advancement of science.

This project is due by midnight, Friday 5/1.

Tons of released drugs taint US water

Every day manufacturing processes cause waste to be released into out environment. The effect of pharmaceutical waste can also effect the organisms in the region in greater ways than mere trash.

For this assignment you should read the article. Summarize the information in a minimum of three sentences. Then find another source, a web site, video, article, etc. about man's effect on the environment or the effect our influence has on the organisms, and link to that and summarize or comment on the information in a minimum of four sentences. Your source and comments could be about the actual effect or your feelings about these effects. Topics may range from global warming to dumping to deforestation to expanding populations.

This project is due by midnight 4/24/09

Genetic Engineering and Virus Batteries

Scientists are doing all kinds of things with the new tools of genetic engineering. The ability to chenge the genetic code, to make an organism tht does what you want it to do, is no longer science fiction. And since biological organisms have been trying different things for billions of years, they have figured out some very efficient ways to get some things done.

This video about creating viruses to make batteries shows a new approach to the energy problem. Additional information is available at this site.

For this project you should watch the video. Then you need to find and point to a link that discusses one of the following aspects:

DNA analysis
Genetic engineering
Should we be messing with viruses? Isn't this dangerous?

Then, discuss in at least 6 sentences, the information covered in the site you have selected.

This extra credit project is due by midnight Friday, 4/17. Instead of 12 points, this project is worth 15 points, for a 150% HW/Quiz grade.

Bonobo chimps: Our Closest Relatives.

The Bonobo is a separate chimpanzee species. They are considered, by some, to be an even closer relative to man than the other chimpanzees. They are a highly endangered species, meaning that there are very few left an we are continuing to put pressure on their populations.

Watch this video about the Bonobos and comment (at lease two sentences) on the content of the video. Then you should find a link and write (at least three sentences) about the link you have posted. The link could be about:
How scientists determine how closely a species is related to us.
How to protect endangered species.
Should we care about other species, endangered or not?
Evolutionary descendancy (family tree) of primates.

As always, you have until midnight Friday (April 10) to complete this project for credit.