Thursday, November 14, 2019

Ruby Bridges :: essays research papers

Thanks to her good grades, Ruby is chosen to be a pioneer in breaking down the walls of segregation. Through her entire first school year with white children, this brave little black girl is escorted by four federal marshals through a crowd of angry white protestors in front of the school. Miss Henry, Ruby’s teacher from Boston, works with Ruby since none of the regular teachers will have anything to do with her. Through the hard work of the people who told Ruby to attend the white school and through the determination of Ruby, Miss Henry, and Mr. and Mrs. Bridges, Ruby overcame discrimination, racism, prejudice, stereotyping, and educational equalities. The discrimination Ruby faced went entering the schools everyday was horrible. The protesters yelled mean and very hurtful things at her. Discrimination is motivated by prejudice. The protesters used the discrimination of blacks to try and deny Ruby the right to go to a white school. Racism was a huge factor in the protesters’ decisions to yell nasty things at Ruby. The white people thought they were superior to black people; therefore, not allowing to let Ruby into â€Å"their† school. The prejudice shown toward Ruby was uncalled for. The white people showed massive amounts of prejudice toward Ruby even though the people don’t know Ruby. They don’t understand the kind hearted, well behaved little girl Ruby is. When the protesters look at Ruby all they see is the color of her skin. Ruby was stereotyped by the people standing outside the school. The hurtful things they shouted at her were driven by stereotypical ideas. They based their opinions about Ruby without understanding with full knowledge and open minds what Ruby was all about. Instead, they made an inaccurate judgment based on the color of her skin. This movie is a perfect example of educational inequalities in the 1960s.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Why Harry Potter Should Be Taught in School

Grace Farrow Scott English 1301. 18 October 31, 2012 Why Harry Potter should be read in college classes. â€Å"Happiness can be found in the most darkest of places, if only one remembers to turn on the light. † – Albus Dumbledore. (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban). The most dynamic series of books and movies of all time is Harry Potter. I, like many other students, am taking both high school and college classes at the same time. In doing so I have a lot of homework.The one book I have found that I and many others read in the very little spare time we have, is Harry Potter. Many people say that Harry Potter is â€Å"bad† because it has witchcraft throughout the story line. Many say that it is a series written for younger adults. Many people say that the settings, characters, and plot lines in Harry Potter are unrealistic and childish. Many books such as The Hobbit, several works of Shakespeare, and the classics such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and Gulliver' s Travels are unrealistic but are required reading in many college classes.Harry Potter covers much of the same ground as the classical stories, and the students would be more interested in reading the story instead of just the Sparknotes. Harry Potter is one of the most read and talked about series of all time. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows alone had 8. 3 million copies sold the first day of its release, not including the pre-orders. Mine was pre-ordered so it was not counted in that figure. Four hundred and fifty million dollars, is the amount of money the books have made just from their respective release dates put together.Harry Potter is a major world wide phenomenon. From 2001 to the present day researchers have found that â€Å"Children who had previously read short chapter books were suddenly plowing through more than 700 pages in a matter of days. †, (moviefone. com). Harry Potter has been beneficial to my generation as we have grown up. Now many colleges are incorporating the Harry Potter books into their lessons. This is helping many students understand more of what they learn in class because the topics are interesting.Also â€Å"Colleges and University professors from all over have begun teaching the literature of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series in the classroom. And for those who grew up reading the seven book series, professors are finding that students are able to better understand and appreciate the classic literature of Charles Dickens,† (Mugglenet. com) according to a Washington and Lee University English professor. A generation that enjoys reading long books, talking about books with other students, and better appreciating classical English Literature with the likes of Shakespeare and Charles Dickens.While it is interesting that college students themselves are still reading the books, what is most surprising is how readily universities are embracing the books and incorporating them into courses. I know that i f my college professors decided to incorporate Harry Potter into the literature that my class reads, I would be more apt to read and interact with discussions in class because it is fun and interesting. Right now English classes read books like Beowulf, Hamlet, and Macbeth, these books are classics and should be read but not only these books should be read in the classroom.Books such as Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games are books that interest young adults, and should at least be incorporated so the students will want to participate. Many students in both high school and college say that Harry Potter brings them a nice break from all of the books they have to read for school. The students still like the fantasy elements in Harry Potter. High school and college students can understand the challenges that Harry had to go through during his school years.Even though the books have very unrealistic angles, like magic and wizardry, young adults can still understand what he is g oing through. The loss of his parents, the hidden love between Ron and Hermione, and the teachers that Harry does not like, and then the ones that do not like Harry. The unrealistic magical way that Harry gets through his problems offer an escape for those people reading the book, who are going through the same problems as Harry. Harry Potter has no age limit- my parents read them, my sister read them, and my niece is reading them.If you have not already read them, do so. Harry Potter offers romance, action, and magic, it is the book for all audiences. The next time you find yourself in a book store just pick the first one up. They are amazing. And who knows you might find it in your literature classes next semester. Rowling J. K. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban New York: Scholastic, 1999. Print. â€Å"Harry Potter Numbers Trivia. † Moviefone. com. 13 July 2007. Web. â€Å"Harry Potter in Literature. † Mugglenet. com. 02 February 2012. Web. Why Harry Potter Should Be Taught in School Grace Farrow Scott English 1301. 18 October 31, 2012 Why Harry Potter should be read in college classes. â€Å"Happiness can be found in the most darkest of places, if only one remembers to turn on the light. † – Albus Dumbledore. (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban). The most dynamic series of books and movies of all time is Harry Potter. I, like many other students, am taking both high school and college classes at the same time. In doing so I have a lot of homework.The one book I have found that I and many others read in the very little spare time we have, is Harry Potter. Many people say that Harry Potter is â€Å"bad† because it has witchcraft throughout the story line. Many say that it is a series written for younger adults. Many people say that the settings, characters, and plot lines in Harry Potter are unrealistic and childish. Many books such as The Hobbit, several works of Shakespeare, and the classics such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and Gulliver' s Travels are unrealistic but are required reading in many college classes.Harry Potter covers much of the same ground as the classical stories, and the students would be more interested in reading the story instead of just the Sparknotes. Harry Potter is one of the most read and talked about series of all time. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows alone had 8. 3 million copies sold the first day of its release, not including the pre-orders. Mine was pre-ordered so it was not counted in that figure. Four hundred and fifty million dollars, is the amount of money the books have made just from their respective release dates put together.Harry Potter is a major world wide phenomenon. From 2001 to the present day researchers have found that â€Å"Children who had previously read short chapter books were suddenly plowing through more than 700 pages in a matter of days. †, (moviefone. com). Harry Potter has been beneficial to my generation as we have grown up. Now many colleges are incorporating the Harry Potter books into their lessons. This is helping many students understand more of what they learn in class because the topics are interesting.Also â€Å"Colleges and University professors from all over have begun teaching the literature of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series in the classroom. And for those who grew up reading the seven book series, professors are finding that students are able to better understand and appreciate the classic literature of Charles Dickens,† (Mugglenet. com) according to a Washington and Lee University English professor. A generation that enjoys reading long books, talking about books with other students, and better appreciating classical English Literature with the likes of Shakespeare and Charles Dickens.While it is interesting that college students themselves are still reading the books, what is most surprising is how readily universities are embracing the books and incorporating them into courses. I know that i f my college professors decided to incorporate Harry Potter into the literature that my class reads, I would be more apt to read and interact with discussions in class because it is fun and interesting. Right now English classes read books like Beowulf, Hamlet, and Macbeth, these books are classics and should be read but not only these books should be read in the classroom.Books such as Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games are books that interest young adults, and should at least be incorporated so the students will want to participate. Many students in both high school and college say that Harry Potter brings them a nice break from all of the books they have to read for school. The students still like the fantasy elements in Harry Potter. High school and college students can understand the challenges that Harry had to go through during his school years.Even though the books have very unrealistic angles, like magic and wizardry, young adults can still understand what he is g oing through. The loss of his parents, the hidden love between Ron and Hermione, and the teachers that Harry does not like, and then the ones that do not like Harry. The unrealistic magical way that Harry gets through his problems offer an escape for those people reading the book, who are going through the same problems as Harry. Harry Potter has no age limit- my parents read them, my sister read them, and my niece is reading them.If you have not already read them, do so. Harry Potter offers romance, action, and magic, it is the book for all audiences. The next time you find yourself in a book store just pick the first one up. They are amazing. And who knows you might find it in your literature classes next semester. Rowling J. K. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban New York: Scholastic, 1999. Print. â€Å"Harry Potter Numbers Trivia. † Moviefone. com. 13 July 2007. Web. â€Å"Harry Potter in Literature. † Mugglenet. com. 02 February 2012. Web.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Organic vs. Non-organic Food Essay

Bottom line, going green can cultivate envy. The public is constantly bombarded with the idea that organic products are better. Perhaps this is true, but maybe it is brilliant marketing simply selling a status symbol. Envy can come from a neighbor’s luscious, organically grown front yard to the hybrid vehicle a co-worker drives, to the organic foods that consumers in a higher financial echelon seem to be able to only afford. Is this envy justifiable or is the notion of organics and its superiority a tactic of propaganda to boost the already $30-plus billion industry even higher, according to Farm and Dairy’s April, 2012 article â€Å"Organic Food Sales†? Although proponents of organic food insist it is healthier than conventional food, non-organic foods are extremely comparable to its organic counterpart, possibly even more necessary. The United States has evolved into a powerful nation; one that boasts of freedoms, luxuries and an overabundance of practically everything. The United States is also a country which has a population that grows greater and greater each year. Reasons including the number of births outnumbering the number of deaths, as well as the number of immigrants coming to live the â€Å"American Dream. † According to the Census Bureau End-of-2011 estimate, â€Å"the United States will enter 2012 with a population of roughly 312. 8 million people† (Schlesinger, 2011, para, 1). This statistic takes into account one birth approximately every 8 seconds, one death every 12 seconds as well as one new migrant entering the country approximately every 46 seconds. As cited by Schlesinger (2011), this ends up with a population increase of over two million in 2012. This is a staggering number and would only increase over time. In his article â€Å"Point: Industrial Agriculture has Improved Farming for Hundreds of Years,† George Wright (2011) explains how the use of biotechnology and techniques such as caging animals used to increase the profits of agricultural industry is not a contemporary idea. Wright (2011, para. 7) states how â€Å"the use of biotechnology to produce food has been around for over 8000 years. † He gives examples such as enzymes being used to make foods like baked goods and dairy products. Wright also asserts that â€Å"biotechnology is expected to help agriculture by improving quality, nutrition, safety and the processing of raw crops,† (Wright, 2011, para. 7). Biotechnology is not a process that is new to the agriculture industry. Finally, Wright’s article (2011, para. 12) concludes that â€Å"with the world’s population at six billion and heading higher, there is no practical alternative to ‘industrial agriculture’. † He also points out that â€Å"agricultural innovations from industries such as biotechnology are advancing agricultural production,† (Wright, 2011, para. 13). In addition, Avery’s article â€Å"‘Frontline’ Perpetuates Pesticide Myths† (1993), Avert adds that â€Å"it is believed that if the world converts to organic systems of farming, by 2050 this system of farming will not be able to supply enough food for the population and will be responsible for massive amounts of deaths due to starvation. Another organic misnomer claims that organic livestock and plants are free from chemicals and unnecessary medications, unlike their non-organic counterparts. According to Nancy Sprague’s 2011 article, â€Å"Counterpoint: Organic Food is Unnecessary & the Current Food Supply is Safe†, there are a myths about organic food that are debunked. She discusses how organic foods are actually prepared and while comparing and contrasting it to the process non-organic foods go through prior to arriving at the grocery shelves. When discussing about the use (or lack thereof) of pesticides, Sprague (2011, para. 4) notes that â€Å"organic farmers can use pesticides from an approved list,† which contradicts the consumer’s belief that organic foods have not come into contact with any pesticides. Sprague goes further to state the toxins that the organic industry supposedly takes pride into avoiding are contaminants that actually cannot be avoided. Nitrates, chemicals and antibiotics are now found naturally within the environment due to â€Å"broad contamination of the earth’s natural resources† (Sprague, 2011, para. 4). The organic industry also asserts that the levels of hormones in non-organic meats are extremely high and in-turn dangerous to the consumers’ health. In fact, in Lester Aldrich’s (2006) article, â€Å"Consumers Eat Up Organic Beef Despite Costs, Unproven Benefits†, he finds quite the opposite conclusion. Aldrich discusses the results of a study by Gary Smith, professor of meat sciences at the Center for Red Meat Safety. This study analyzed and compared the levels of hormones found in two-3 ounce steaks, one each from an organic animal and one from a non-organic animal. The results were shocking. Smith’s compare/contrast analysis showed that there was an almost incomprehensible difference (on a nanogram scale) between the hormone levels from both the organic and non-organic samples,† (Aldrich, 2006, para. 29). Aldrich (2006) then compared these results to the levels of these same hormones to a typical birth control pill that is voluntarily consumed. The results showed â€Å"the average birth-control pill provides 35,000 nanograms of estrogen daily† whereas â€Å"a non-pregnant woman produces about 480,000 nanograms of estrogen, 240,000 nanograms of testosterone and 10. 1 million nanograms of progesterone daily,† (Aldrich, 2006, para. 30). The comparison is astounding and should put any worries about added hormones in our food to rest. Prior to pasteurization of food, people would die young due to food-borne illnesses. Avery (2002) opens his article â€Å"The Hidden Dangers In Organic Food† with â€Å"Products most people think are purer than other foods are making people seriously ill. † Avery’s (2002) article mentions how the invention of the refrigerator as well as simple procedures such as food refrigeration and washing ones hands before eating or making food would eventually keep food-borne illness to a minimum in the United States, although those individuals who were quite ill or weak would die if exposed to food-borne bacteria. Unfortunately, with all the claims of health, organic food is becoming more notorious for being served on a plate with food-borne illnesses such as salmonella, and now more recently, E. coli. Avery (2002, para. 1) cites the U. S. Centers for Disease Control stating â€Å"people who eat organic and natural foods are eight times likely as the rest of the population to be attacked by a deadly new strain of E. coli bacteria,† salmonella or fungus. According to Avery (2002), USDA offered organic famers a method that did not require either pesticides or pasteurization to protect the crops; irradiation. This process used low levels of gamma radiation to kill bacteria while maintaining the freshness of the food. Unfortunately, organic farmers were outraged and more than 200,000 protesters opposed the idea therefore the USDA removed this process from the final organic food standard (Avery, 2002). This has not been beneficial for public safety, as cited in Sprague’s (2011) where she points out that there have been several infections caused by E. coli in the United States during 2009 alone. Organic farming does have one huge positive aspect: it strives for self-sustainability and leaves a small carbon footprint in the environment. With that said, organic farms, regardless of whether or not its food can be proven to be healthier than conventional food, requires a much larger area of land mass to produce the same amount of food than that of a conventional farm. According to Avery (2002), â€Å"agriculture already takes up 36 percent of the world’s land surface. † Avery (2002) translates this to mean that by year 2050, short of a worldwide cataclysm, the world will need 2. 5 times more food output than what is needed today. Wilcox (2011, para. 26) states in her article â€Å"Mythbusting 101: Organic Farming > Conventional Agriculture† that until organic farming can contend with the output of conventional farming due to space needed without the ecological costs involved, the need for more space will be severely detrimental to the environment. † Organic farms help the environment on small, local levels. Unfortunately they do not produce the same amount of food that a conventional farm can; between 20%-50% below what a conventional farm of the same size will produce (Wilcox, 2011). Wilcox (2011) also emphasizes that with more advanced technology, organic farming may eventually be able to keep up with conventional food production, however, if more areas of the planet become transformed into organic farmland in the meantime, the planet’s natural habitats will begin to quickly deplete. Conventionally farmed foods and organic foods both have positive and negative aspects to their individual philosophies. Organic farming does not necessarily produce healthier food. Hormone levels in organic and non-organic foods are extremely similar and the lack of pesticides in organic food contributes to a higher frequency of food-borne illnesses. As much as this is true, the organic farm leaves a smaller carbon footprint than a conventional farm, which, in the long run will allow for the environment to sustain itself and be able to continue producing more food. With that being said, when going to the store to buy food, the consumer should make the conscious choice to purchase organic foods when it is affordable, in order to support and promote self-sustainable/organic farming. If the choice is made to buy conventional foods, the consumer should not feel guilty or worried the food is substandard to organic. There should be confidence knowing that USDA regulations are being followed by conventional farms to produce the highest quality food possible. ? References Aldrich, L. (2006, July 12). Consumers eat up organic beef despite costs, unproven benefits. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from htttp://search. proquest. com. proxy. devry. edu/business/docprintview/398944062/abstract/137 Avery, D. T. (1993, Apr 01). ‘Frontline’ perpetuates pesticide myths. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com. proxy. devry. edu/business/docprintview/398370529/Record/1371 Avery, D. T. (2002, June 25). The hidden dangers in organic food. Retrieved from http://www. cgfi. org/2002/06/the-hidden-dangers-in-organic-food/ Sprague, N. (2011). Counterpoint: Organic food is unnecessary & the current food supply is safe. Points Of View: Organic Food, 3. Retrieved from http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=trye&db=pwh&AN=43286301&site=pov-line Schlesinger, R. (2011, Dec 30). U. S.population 2012: nearly 313 million people. U. S. News and World Report, Retrieved from http://www. usnews. com/opinion/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2011/12/30/us-population-2012-nearly-313-million-people Wilcox, C. (2011, July 18). Mythbusting 101: organic farming > conventional agriculture. Scientific American, Retrieved from http://blogs. scientificamerican. com/science-sushi/2011/07/18/mythbusting-101-organic-farming-conventional-agriculture/ Wright, G. (2011). Point: Industrial agriculture has improved farming for hundreds of years. Points Of View: Factory Farming, 2.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

About CAD and BIM Software for Architects

About CAD and BIM Software for Architects The letters CAD stand for computer-aided design. BIM is an acronym for Building Information Modeling. These applications are the software tools of architects, drafters, engineers, and builders. Various types of software can create plans, construction drawings, precise lists of building materials, and even instructions on how and when to put together the parts. The first two letters of each acronym define the software and their derivatives - CA- is Computer-Aided software for many design projects, including computer-aided engineering (CAE), computer-aided design and manufacturing (CADAM), and computer-aided three-dimensional interactive application (CATIA); BI- is all about Building Information. CAD and BIM are usually pronounced like words. Before the art of papermaking made its way from China to Europe, structures were built with no written plans or documentation - a process that no doubt introduced the change order. Hundreds of years ago, before the age of computers, drawings and blueprints were drafted by hand. Today, every architecture studio is filled with computers, as well as paper. Lines are still drawn to represent the length and width of walls and openings, but the information about the lines is also kept by computer programs. For constructing and designing things, CAD and BIM are more efficient than paper and pencil because the application records lines as vectors based on mathematical equations. Using algorithms or sets of directions, software programs allow designers to twist, stretch, and move portions of a drawing, testing a design under a variety of conditions and circumstances. The digital lines automatically adjust in 2D (height and width), 3D (height, width, and depth), and 4D (3D plus time). What is called 4D BIM brings efficiency to the construction process by adding the element of time  - sequencing events in the architecture process. About CAD The idea of designing with the help of computers began in the 1960s with the growth of automobile and aerospace companies. The CAD industry became firmly established in the 1970s with software and hardware sold together in very expensive, dedicated machines. It wasnt until the 1980s that personal computing (PC) was possible and affordable, with the goal of having a PC on every desk in the office. CAD is also known as CADD, which stands for Computer-Aided Design Drafting. Patrick Hanratty is the name you hear most as the developer of a usable drafting software system. CAD software let the designer become more efficient, and in business time is money. With CAD a designer could switch between two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) views; zoom in and out for close-up and distant views; rotate images to view them from different perspectives; manipulate the shape of images; and  change the scale of images  - when one value changed, related values automatically adjust. About BIM Many building and design professionals have moved from CAD to BIM or Building Information Modeling applications for many reasons, including its advanced capabilities for parametric modeling. All components of built structures have information. For example, imagine a 2-by-4. You visualize the component because of its information. A computer can do this for thousands of components, so an architect can easily change a design model by changing the information that makes up the design. This flexibility without redrawing can produce interesting and daring designs that can be tested without risk and at little cost.   The construction process is integrated with the design process. After a design is complete, the BIM application lists the component parts for the builder to put together. BIM software not only digitally represents the physical, but also the functional aspects of a building. Combined with file-sharing and collaboration software (cloud computing), BIM files can be tweaked and updated across all parties in the project - sectors of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Industry.  BIM keeps track of the nuts and bolts of design, literally. Some call this aspect of the process 4D BIM. In addition to the length, width, and depth dimensions, the fourth dimension (4D) is time. BIM software can track a project through time as well as the three spacial dimensions. Its clash detection abilities red-flag system conflicts before construction begins. BIM software doesnt do anything that architects and designers havent been doing all along - the integrated databases of information simply improve a projects productivity and safety. Another dimension that can be manipulated is pricing of labor and cost of materials - sometimes called 5D BIM. What if the windows and doors are different? or the bay window is prefabricated? or the tile comes from Italy? Integrated budgeting can lessen cost overruns - theoretically. Some call BIM CAD on steroids, because it can do what 3D CAD can do and more. Its most common use is in commercial construction. If a project is very complicated, more complicated software is often used in order to save money in the form of time and effort. So, why doesnt BIM always save money for the consumer? Dollars saved on design can be moved into more expensive construction materials (why not use marble?) or overtime pay to hurry the pace of construction. It can also line the pockets and coffers of other projects, but thats another story. BIM Has Changed the Way We Work As architectural firms have made the change in software, BIM use has also demonstrates a philosophical change in doing business - from paper-based, proprietary ways (the CAD approach) to collaborative, information-based operations (the BIM approach). Construction law attorneys have addressed many of the legal concerns surrounding an inclusive, shared process of design and construction. Issues of risk and liability should be clearly defined in any contract where information is shared and design drawings can be freely manipulated. Who owns all of this information when the project is complete? Sometimes called 6D BIM, the operations and maintenance manual collated from a projects information can be an invaluable byproduct for any owner of a new building. CAD and BIM Programs Popular CAD programs used by architects, engineers, builders and home designers include:AutoCAD by autoDeskMicrostation PowerDraft by BentleyArchitectural Home Design Software by Chief ArchitectSketchup by Trimble.Simplified versions of CAD tools can be found in home design software tailored for nonprofessionals. Home Designer  by Chief Architect is one such product line.Popular BIM programs used by architects, engineers, and builders include:Revit by AutodeskAECOsim Building Designer from Bentley SystemsARCHICAD by GraphisoftVectorworks Architect  from Nemetschek Vectorworks CAD and BIM Standards in the United States The National Institute of Building Sciences buildingSMART allianceâ„ ¢ develops and publishes consensus-based standards for both CAD and BIM. Standards help the many groups involved in building projects to more easily share information. They are The United States National CAD Standard (NCS) and The National BIM Standard - United Statesâ„ ¢ (NBIMS-USâ„ ¢). Help Deciding Change is difficult. It was laborious for the ancient Greeks to write down their temple plans. It was frightening for human drafting machines to sit next to the first personal computer. It was awkward for the CAD specialists to learn BIM from the intern right out of architecture school. Many companies make changes during construction slowdowns, when billable hours are few and far between. But everyone knows this: many commercial projects begin with a competition put out to bid, and a competitive edge becomes more difficult without change.   Computer software is complicated even for the technically savvy architect. Private companies have grown up around these complications, with the aim of helping small businesses and corporations buy the appropriate software for their needs. Companies like the online Capterra will help you find the right software for your business -   for free by using a business model similar to travel agents helping you for free. Capterra is free for users because vendors pay us when they receive web traffic and sales opportunities. Capterra directories list all vendors- not just those that pay us- so that you can make the best-informed purchase decision possible. A good deal, if you trust and respect your consultant and know what youre getting into. The Capterra.list of Architecture Software is a good start.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

What Is the Endoplasmic Reticulum What Does It Do

What Is the Endoplasmic Reticulum What Does It Do SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If you’re getting ready for the AP Biology exam, then you’re probably spending quite a bit of time studying cell structure. But keeping all the structures straight and understanding each one’s function can be confusing! That’s why we’re breaking down cell structures for you, starting with the endoplasmic reticulum, or ER. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about the endoplasmic reticulum, including how it functions in a cell. We’ll even break down the differences between the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum! Ready? Then let’s get started! A Quick Introduction to Cell Structure The endoplasmic reticulum is an essential part of a cell. In your biology class, you probably learned that cells are the building blocks of all life...including humans! Obviously, that makes cells super important, which is why it’s also important to understand how they function. Because plants and animals are complex creatures, the structure of a cell is complex, too. Each cell is made up of many individual parts, each of which has a job within the cell itself! Some help keep everything in one place (like the cell membrane), some produce energy to power the cell (the mitochondria), and there are even parts that help keep the cell clean (lysosomes)! These different structures found within cells are called organelles. The endoplasmic reticulum is an organelle that can be found in both eukaryotic (animal) and prokaryotic (plant) cells. Just keep in mind that not all cells have endoplasmic reticulum! For example, red blood cells don’t have endoplasmic reticuli, even though they’re an important part of animal biology! Endoplasmic Reticulum Definition The endoplasmic reticulum is defined as an organelle that is made up of a series of phospholipid membranes. In fact, the membranes that make up the endoplasmic reticulum can account for half of a cell’s total membrane structure in animal cells! These membranes are called cisternae, are shaped like tubes or sacs, and are continuous with the outer membrane of the cell’s nucleus. That’s a fancy way of saying that the endoplasmic reticulum is attached to the nucleus itself. Endoplasmic Reticulum Function Now let’s talk a little bit more about how an endoplasmic reticulum functions. In general, the endoplasmic reticulum helps with the synthesis, folding, modification, and transport of proteins and lipids. The endoplasmic reticulum does this through ribosomes that are attached to its membrane walls. (We’ll talk more about how this works a little later). The endoplasmic reticulum also stores calcium and releases it when the cell needs it. In fact, many of the proteins and lipids made by the endoplasmic reticulum are used by other organelles in the cell. One of the best ways to understand- and remember!- what the endoplasmic reticulum does is to think of it like a factory. In a manufacturing plant, people take raw materials and make it into something new and usable, which they then ship to other stores, manufacturers, and suppliers around the world. Just like a real-world factory, the endoplasmic reticulum builds the â€Å"products† a cell needs to function, then â€Å"ships† them to where they need to go, when they need to go there. CFCF/WikimediaCommons Endoplasmic Reticulum Appearance So what does the endoplasmic reticulum look like, exactly? Well, do you remember the mazes that you could find in coloring books when you were a kid? The endoplasmic reticulum looks a lot like that! The cisternae stretch out and away from the cell nucleus in a series of folds and tubes, and they extend throughout the cell almost like a highway system. So when you’re looking at a cell diagram, look for the maze-like structure that’s attached to the cell nucleus. That’s the endoplasmic reticulum! You might notice that cell diagrams often picture some areas of the endoplasmic reticulum with bumps, while other sections look smooth. That’s because endoplasmic reticulum is actually comprised of two pieces: the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Knowing how these different areas work is important to understanding the function of the endoplasmic reticulum as a whole. CFCF/Wikimedia Commons Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum The rough endoplasmic reticulum, or RER, gets its name from the ribosomes embedded in its surface...which make it look rough! The rough endoplasmic reticulum is situated closest to the nucleus- in fact, it’s attached to the nuclear envelope- so that molecules can move directly between the membranes. The ribosomes that are attached to the walls of the rough endoplasmic reticulum function just like free ribosomes would. That means that they synthesize proteins, which provide the energy needed for a cell to operate. The process of creating proteins is called translation. One the ribosomes have synthesized a protein, they are â€Å"labeled† with a specific final destination. Some proteins are sent to the Golgi apparatus, while others are secreted into the cell exterior or kept within the membrane of the rough endoplasmic reticulum itself. There are certain proteins that are sent into the space within the rough endoplasmic reticulum. This space, which is also called the lumen, is where certain proteins are folded, modified, and assembled. Some of these proteins will have sugar groups added to them to form glycoproteins. Likewise, some of these new proteins will be transported out of the endoplasmic reticulum, while others will stay inside the endoplasmic reticulum to perform functions there. The lumen is also where the endoplasmic reticulum does its â€Å"quality control.† When misfolded or otherwise incorrect proteins accumulate in the lumen, the unfolded protein response (or UPR) is triggered. This tells the cell to reduce the amount of protein its producing while enhancing the endoplasmic reticulum’s protein-folding ability. If the problem doesn’t correct itself, it triggers apoptosis, or programmed cell death. One super cool note: the ribosomes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum aren’t permanently attached to the membrane itself. That means that new ribosomes can detach and attach depending on the proteins the cell needs! CFCF/Wikimedia Commons Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum Unlike the rough endoplasmic reticulum, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum doesn’t have any ribosomes attached to it. That makes it look smooth- which is how it gets its name! The smooth endoplasmic reticulum’s function is almost exclusively to make lipids, like phospholipids and cholesterol. How these lipids are used depends on the cell type. Lipids can be used to create new cell membranes, create hormones, and store energy. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum also helps detoxify the cell by converting toxic organic chemicals into safer, water soluble products. Fun fact: when there are lots of toxins present, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum can double its surface area to help clear them out. It will then return to normal size after the toxins have been removed. Liver cells have large amounts of smooth endoplasmic reticulum for this very purpose! Finally, there’s a type of specialized smooth endoplasmic reticulum called the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The sarcoplasmic reticulum is found in muscle cells and is used to store calcium ions that muscles need to function. When muscles experience sustained activity, the sarcoplasmic reticulum can release the stored calcium ions to help the muscles function. Additional Resources If you’ve read through this guide and still would like to know more about how the endoplasmic reticulum works, here are a few other resources that you can check out. Khan Academy Khan Academy has tons of free resources on all sorts of topics including cell structure. Their video on the endoplasmic reticulum is really helpful, and they have articles about it on their website, too. The British Society for Cell Biology The British Society for Cell Biology is a British non-profit organization dedicated to advancing cell biology research, which includes sharing knowledge and information. One of the ways they do this is through educational material, which they share on their website. Their softCell e-Learning portal has tons of good information about all the organelles of a cell, including the endoplasmic reticulum. CrashCourse Who said studying has to be boring? The CrashCourse channel on YouTube- hosted by none other than John and Hank Green of VlogBrothers fame- is all about creating fun and informational educational content. Hank’s series on animal cells is a great resource, and the fourth video in the series (Eukaryopolis!) gives you an overview of the endoplasmic reticulum. What’s Next? Need to brush up on more than just the endoplasmic reticulum before tackling the AP Biology exam? Grabbing a workbook or textbook might be your best bet. Here’s a curated list of the best AP Biology books to help you study harder and smarter. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the AP Biology exam, you’re not alone. There are lots of students who find this test tricky! That’s why we’ve put together a complete AP Biology review guide. It breaks down all of the topics that might appear on the exam, so you can figure out exactly what you need to study. (It also includes some great study tips, too!) The best way to figure out if you’re prepared for the AP Biology test is to take a practice exam. Here’s a list of every AP Biology practice test available. And the best news? They’re free!

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Mass Media- TV Show Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mass Media- TV Show - Essay Example Castle falls under the genre of a crime comedy. The show follows the unorthodox way that Richard Castle, the titular character observing female detective Kate Beckett on the job, solves cases using movie plots, hilarious dialogues, and physical comedy. The show mostly focuses on the incompetence of criminals which leads to comedic situations or punchlines. Although Castle is regarded as one of the top crime comedies of our decade, it was not the first nor the trendsetter of the genre on television. The true trendsetter of the crime comedy is 1982s show Remington Steele, from which Castle constantly borrows story plots and dialogue from. Therefore, Castle is the copycat in this situation. Poor copycat that is. What made Remington Steele memorable for its viewers was the fact that although it dealt with serious cases, they never took the story and the situations too seriously. Which is the exact opposite of Castle, whose take on murder often borders on the dark side. The dialogue as written by the able and talented writers of Remington Steele was witty, timeless, and snappy. Castle on the other hand have writers that have a limited imagination and as such, sprinkle the comedic dialogue on the show so far between. Castle does however represent all the American races, from Latino to Asian, in their show. Their main cast is composed of a mix of African Americans and Latinos strewn into the mix with the Whites. Every so often, an Asian or other ethnicity guest will pop in on the show to stir things up for comedic effect. And, they never box a certain ethnic character into any situation that the race is known for. Rather, the writers often work to show the best of the race being represented. To be more specific, the main characters Kate Beckett and Richard Castle are clearly White, coroner Lanie Parish and Capt. Gates are both portrayed as strong willed and successful African Americans, Det. Esposito represents the

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Article Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Article Assignment - Essay Example In twenty four hours, nearly everything valuable had been removed. Later casual vandalism began, with windows being shattered, and parts torn apart. The car became a playing ground for kids (Wilson &Kelling, 1982). Simultaneously, the car in Palo Alto, California stayed intact for over a week. When Zimbardo went up and deliberately shuttered a part of it using a sledgehammer, soon after, onlookers began to join in for the vandalism. In a few hours, the vehicle had been spun upside down as well as completely vandalized. In both places the vandals seemed respectable, well dressed clean-cut whites. It is deemed that within a neighborhood like Bronx wherein history of property abandonment as well as theft are much more prevalent, destruction can take place very rapidly since the neighborhood sends out a ‘no one cares’ vibe. Related events can take place within any civilized neighborhood once communal barricades- the feel of mutual obligations and regard of civility-are let d own by actions, which suggests ‘no one cares’. An effective stratagem for vandalism prevention is to fix problems while they are minimal. Repair a broken window within a brief time and the inclination is that miscreants are less likely to smash more windows. Clean-up the sidewalk daily, and the inclination is for garbage not to amass. ... Additionally, taking a property that does not belong to you is equal to stealing even though the property does not have the owner. Another change to the policy within neighborhoods and public schools is that people should be encouraged to report to the police any properties that are left untended. Such changes would be productive because they will aid in preventing people from committing activities that denotes that crimes such as vandalism are not illegal. The changes to the policies will impart new attitudes and moral practices that deter people and young people in engaging in illegal activities. The changes to the policies will be difficult to enact in an already established culture that dictates that any unattended properties belongs to everyone and any can do as they please with such a property (O’Malley,2007). References Chappell, A. &Lanza-Kaduce, L. (2004). Integrating sociological research and theory with community-oriented policing: Bridging the gap between academics and practice. Journal of Applied Sociology/Sociological Practice, 21(6), 80-98. Kelling, G. & Moore, M. (2008).The evolving strategy of policing. Perspectives on Policing. 4. Retrieved November 21, 2008 from US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice, http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/114213.pdf O’Malley,T.J. (2007). Managing for ethics: A mandate for administrators.FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 66(4).Retrieved August 1, 2008 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2194/is_n4_v66/ai_19569535/ Shevory, T. (2003). Organizational structure in American police agencies: Context, complexity, and control. A book review.Albany Suny Press, 13(8), 287. Retrieved November 17, 2008 from