The adult zebrafish pectoral fin is comprised of endochondral and dermal bone, forming the proximal and distal radials, and the fin rays, respectively. The transgenic Tg(fli1a:eGFP) line can drive eGFP expression in blood vessels during embryogenesis. In addition, eGFP is expressed in the pectoral endoskeletal disc (ED) but absent in distal posterior chondrocytes. An enhancer within the mouse Hoxa11 intron, m-Inta11 that drives reporter expression in a subpopulation of hoxa13/hoxd13a-expressing cells in the larval pectoral fin has recently been identified. Beginning at 52hpf, the activity of m-Inta11 correlates with the absence of fli1a reporter expression in the distal posterior ED. This complementary expression pattern persists throughout
The Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), is a small freshwater mollusk that is an invasive species. It has slowly been making its way into the United States. It has done this by showing up in lakes and in rivers. The mussels get their name due to the striped pattern on their shells. They are a relatively small species, only growing to the size of a human finger nail but there have been cases of larger (“Zebra Mussels,” 2013, para. 2). Mussels live a short life span of 4-5 years and most do not make into adulthood. They live in freshwater at depths of 6 to 24 feet. The female produces 30,000 to 1,000,000 eggs per year starting at the age of two. Zebra Mussels are free moving and can move with an external organ called the byssus (“Zebra Mussels,” 2013, para. 3). But they can be moved around by currents and other objects too. Zebra Mussels are a threat to ecosystems. They damage the natural habitat of lakes and rivers and cause negative effects to the native aquatic life. They multiply in vast majority casing a lake of food and space for other animals. And also the U.S. has spent millions on the removal of these pests from our water (“Zebra Mussels,” 2014, para. 8). The Zebra Mussel has now made its way into Colorado. Just a few has been found in the waters of Colorado but a few is enough to cause a big stir. Extreme precautions have now been put into effect to make sure that the threat of Zebra Mussels is under control.
Zebra mussels have now found there way to the United States originating from the Caspian Sea and sought habitation, originally, in Lake St. Claire when ballast water brought them in. From there, zebra mussels have spread and have caused havoc to the environments and its biodiversity, specifically, Presque Isle. Zebra mussels are filter feeders of zooplankton and phytoplanktons, making the water appear clearer, but not cleaner. They have negatively impacted the existence of clams, walleye and several other organisms. In order to preserve the biodiversity of Presque Isle, zebra mussels must be culled and controlled. Several methods that can be utilized to achieve this goal is by chlorination, poison, scraping, etc.
“You hear her just scream out, ‘somebody help me!’ It was such a bloodcurdling scream. She knew she was going to die,” commented John Hargrove, a former SeaWorld trainer. There has been 21 attacks on humans by killer whales in the last 10 years. SeaWorld was associated with 12 of them. In 2013 SeaWorld was worth $2.5 billion, they would do anything to protect their business. They target adults and teenagers; or anyone who can pay. The purpose of the Blackfish documentary was made to inform people how wrong it is what SeaWorld is doing. Animals in captivity do not live as long and depending on the animal there is more complications. Seaworld is an unacceptable place to live, for orcas and any other animal. They do not have animals’ best interests in mind.
Blackfish is a 2013 documentary attempting to elevate public awareness regarding the orca that are being kept in maritime amusement parks, specifically SeaWorld, and the inherent danger of their captivity. The film is effective because it raises a set of important ethical questions for the viewer while presenting with a necessary fact-based style of documentation that does not evoke gratuitous scenes of abuse in order to inspire sympathy, unlike some of the other films that are intended to raise awareness about animal abuse.
Understanding other people’s perspective is vital when it comes to making someone a more informed and a more sympathetic person. For example, in politics, there are two main sides; the democrats and the republicans. These two sides almost never see eye to eye, but when they see from the other’s point of view, an agreement can be made.
Picture this: you're having a nice weekend at the lake with your family, fishing, swimming, and having an all-around great time. But then you notice that your boat isn't running as well as it should, especially considering you just cleaned it and made sure everything was in perfect condition before leaving your house. Puzzled, you take your boat out of the water to notice that the hull and motor is covered in tiny clam-like creatures, making your pristine white boat look like something that was just drug out of the bottom of the lake. What are these animals that ruined your weekend of fun? They are zebra mussels, and are found in lakes, rivers, and other bodies of freshwater across the U.S. Normally found in Eastern Europe, the first group of this invasive species hitched a ride in the ballast tanks of ocean liners in the 1980s, and quickly spread. Regulations are in place to stop the spread, but removing them from places that have already been infested is tricky. Today we will talk about the damages zebra mussels cause, how this problem is managed, and what you can do to help.
Blackfish is a 2013 documentary directed and written by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. The film regards the effects that captivity has on killer whales, with a focus on a SeaWorld orca named Tilikum. Born in 1981, Tilikum was captured at the age of two off the coast of Iceland and taken to Sealand of the Pacific in British Columbia, Canada. 8 years later, Keltie Byrnes, a marine biology student and part time Sealand trainer, slipped into the pool containing Tilikum and two female whales. The three orcas submerged and dragged Byrnes around the pool, resulting in her death. Shortly thereafter, Tilikum was moved to SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, where he killed two more people. Charles P. Dukes was found dead, draped over Tilikum’s back, in 1999 after evading security and entering the orca tank. Dawn Brancheau, a veteran trainer, was killed during a post-show routine when Tilikum pulled her into the
The development of the heart is a complicated process that implicates cell specification and differentiation, including tissue formation, shaping and alteration, to create a functional organ. The zebrafish has become a potential model system to disentangle the fundamental genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms of cardiac development and function. The liver is one of the essential organ in mammals. It performs many functions such as help the body digest food, store energy, and remove poisons. The liver also completes many regulatory functions that are critical to fetal development and to life in general. However, failure to perform theses function can result in many mammal liver diseases. Hepatomegaly is a symptom that associate with several liver disorders. Surveys had shown that a large number of the death in the US is caused by chronic liver disease. Liver cancer is another type of liver diseases that is one of the main cause of cancer-related death worldwide.
The Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) is an invasive saltwater predator that is increasing exponentially in the tropics of the western Atlantic (Benkwitt, 2013). The Lionfish invasion is causing a dramatic decline in native marine reef species due the gluttony of the lionfish.
Also in a PRC reaction, DNA Polymerase is made of many complicated proteins with the function of duplicating DNA before division occurs (2).
Marfan syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder resulting from mutations in the gene fibrillin-1 (FBN1) found on chromosome 15 (McKusick V, O'Neill M, 2013). At least 140 different mutations of this gene have been recorded since 2008 (Frey R, Lutwick L, 2009). The FBN1 gene regulates the manufacturing of the fibrillin-1 protein that assists in constructing fibrous filaments which are present in portions of the fibers in connective tissue (Frey R, Lutwick L, 2009). Those filaments manage the discharge of growth factors or protein molecules which prompt the reproduction and growth of cells (Frey R, Lutwick L, 2009). In healthy individuals, the filaments discharge growth factors at the right moment but those who have Marfan syndrome are faced with the dilemma of growth factors being discharged too soon. The early release of growth factors results in fragile connective tissue and the uncommonly lengthy limbs of those with the disorder.
In Blackfish, Director, Gabriela Cowperthwaite, addresses the accidents that occurred at SeaWorld involving trainers and whales. Cowperthwaite’s purpose is to educate the audience on the cruel treatment and rough conditions of whales that occur in SeaWorld. The film maintains a shocking tone in order to persuade the audience and appeal to feelings of sadness and anger.
Fish fins developed around 500 million years ago. A fin is a thin appendage attached to the body of an organism that causes either propulsion, stabilization, or the ability to steer and brake. The median caudal, dorsal, and anal fins are possessed by most fish species. The rainbow trout has six different types of fins- an anal fin, an adipose fin, a dorsal fin, a caudal fin, a pair of pelvic fins, and a pair of pectoral fins.
There’s No Real Good Guy In the movie, “Blackfish” we are exposed to the fact that the way orcas are treated at SeaWorld is worse than we are lead to believe. We see how they are forced to swim in tiny pools and how they can only be fed if they preform well. After seeing this it makes you feel like the only way to help these poor creatures is to jump on the animal activist wagon and to free all the whales like in “Free Willy”. But is that really the right way to go?
Sousounis, k., A. Ogura, and P.A. Tsonis. 2013. Transcriptome Analysis of Nautilus and Pygmy Squid Developing Eye Provides Insights in Lens and Eye Evolution. PLoS ONE 8(10): e78054