SCI 115 Strayer University Week 2 Smallest Components of Life Discussion

Discussion for Week 2

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This week is all about the smallest components of life: atoms, molecules, and cells. In this discussion topic, we concentrate on cells. To begin, watch the Introduction to the Cell video and then address the following questions:

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• In the video, the narrator says we might think that since cells are so small, they must be simple, but “nothing could be further from the truth.” Give a few examples to illustrate the internal complexity of cells.
• Did anything in this video surprise you, or was it mainly a recap of material you already knew?

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Discussion for Week 3

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In this week’s discussion, you will be exploring energy and how it’s captured, released, and used by all living creatures.

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Watch the Phytoplankton that Brought Earth to Life video. In this video, Penny Chisholm discusses tiny phytoplankton called prochlorococcus.

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• In the video, Dr. Chisholm tells us that prochlorococcus samples from different environments are genetically different. Discuss what this tells us about the relationship between organisms and their environments.
• What do you think is the most interesting or significant aspect of prochlorococcus?

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Discussion for Week 4

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Watch the video, The Science of Evolution, and address the following:

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• Describe two things that you learned about DNA from the video.
• Tell what you found most surprising or interesting from the video and explain why.

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Discussion for Week 5

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In multicellular organisms, most cells that are created by mitosis are integrated into the structure of the organism. This week’s lesson looks at what happens to cells that do not integrate properly, that are not needed, or that fail certain quality-control checkpoints in the cell cycle. Watch the Apoptosis video, then address the following two issues:

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• Describe at least two ways that apoptosis helps animals.
• What aspect of apoptosis do you find most interesting or significant? Explain.

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Discussion for Week 6

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This week you are exploring how emerging DNA technologies impact our society. View the Life Changer video on CRISPR, then address the following questions:

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• What applications of CRISPR look particularly promising for improving human well-being? Justify your response.
• Discuss the ethical issues you believe have arisen or are likely to arise with the deployment of CRISPR.

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Discussion for Week 7

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In California, Pacific Northern rattlesnakes prey on California ground squirrels. Their relationship is a great example of coevolution. Read the Snake Venom Evolved to Kill Specific Squirrels with Shocking Precision article, then address the following questions:

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• Explain why the relationship between these two species is considered an example of coevolution.
• What did you find most interesting or significant about how the rattlesnake population adapts to the squirrel’s defenses against its venom?

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Discussion for Week 8

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In the section about viruses, our textbook discusses how new strains of flu arise via viral reassortment. This is also known as genetic reassortment. Read the Tracking the Spread of Bird Flu article about tracking the spread of bird flu that discusses the impact of reassortment. Next, address the following:

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• Discuss the factors that make Alaskan waters in the summertime an optimal place and time for new strains of influenza to arise by genetic reassortment.
• What do you think is the most interesting aspect of this situation?

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Discussion for Week 9

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Sometimes we are interested in the way that organisms are distributed across a particular habitat. Corina Tarnita’s research on the spacing of termite mounds in savanna ecosystems is one example. Watch the Analyzing Patterns in the Savanna Landscape video, and then address the following:

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• What do you think is the most interesting aspect of Tarnita’s research?
• Discuss how the termite mounds benefit other organisms on the savanna.

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Discussion for Week 10

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Our focus this week is on ecology. Ecology is the study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their physical environments. Watch the video Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others: Keystone Species and Trophic Cascades [Video], then address the following two issues:

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• Why do you think that many keystone species are predators at the top of the food chain in their respective ecosystems?
• What do you think is the most interesting or significant facet of the video?

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Discussion for Week 11

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Reflecting on the work that you have done and the articles and videos that you have read and watched, what do you think is the most interesting or useful topic that you explored? Which topic do you wish was not included in the course? Next, if you could change this course in any way you wanted, what would you like to see?