Welcome,
Over the course of the semester, we will ask you to post a series of thought-provoking questions about the course readings in the comment section below.
These questions are an integral component of the course, so it's probably a good idea to bookmark this page and make visiting part of your online routine. To earn full credit, you must post questions before 3:00am before the class session in which we'll discuss the reading. We advise you to get in the habit of posting your questions early and often.
How is that woman hovering above campus?
ReplyDeleteDo most biologists insist that their eirliest childhood memories of animals really effect their life long carrer?
ReplyDeletewhy is this the first time i have heard about the garbage patch that is twice the size of Texas?
ReplyDelete- Marc Lapeyri JO2
I believe William McDonough said it best when on page 18 he stated about a RVC filled toy: "What kind of people are we that we would design like this?" I agree! Who would put such harmful chemicals inside a rubbed ducky!?
ReplyDeleteEmily Cummins J02
How is plastic destroyed and would tossing it in an active isolated volcano destroy it or cause more polution?
ReplyDeleteEdith Grover J04
Why do we continue to use platic so rampantly if we're basically poisoning ourselves?
ReplyDeleteHannah Massey J04
if manufacturers know that plastics are harmful why are mothers not made aware that the bottles they may be using could harm thier child?
ReplyDelete-Westin Dollmont J01
How do people morally justify the way they use and waste such harmful materials? Are people really so wrapped up in themselves that they can just throw their trash into the ocean and think that it has no affect?
ReplyDelete-April Henderson, J04
This is the first time I have heard of the trash in the ocean. Is the news about the trash not circulating more because people are ashamed that humans can generate that much trash or because not enough people care about the environment?
ReplyDeleteRebekah Ulmer, J03
Do you think that one man talking about how trashed our ocean is will change the way we throw away our plastic?
ReplyDelete-Kelly Fernandez, J04
OBAB
ReplyDeleteQ1. How long/often do biologests live in the field?
Edith Grover J04
SNW
ReplyDeleteQ2. What percentage of the earths surface is marked as wildlife preserves?
Edith Grover J04
Aristotle was one of the three main philosophers of the Greek time. In the preface John Janovy Jr. stated that biologists are “happy” and “successful”. I am sure that Aristotle had accomplished both of those in his life, but what exactly did Aristotle do to also claim the name of becoming such a great biologist in early times? Are some of his findings still accurate today?
ReplyDeleteJanice Smith J04
Where is this beach he talks about where you could build a city from the stuff that washes ashore? That sounds incredibly usefull. Why aren't more people taking advantage of all the free building supplies?
ReplyDeleteSarah Ryan J03
Why aren't there any regulations on testing the effects of these plastic products on humans before they are available for human use, not after when people are already at risk for their harmful effects?
ReplyDeleteSammy Becker JO1
What products are now made with biogradable starch-and corn-based plastics, and how succesful has this environmently friendly plastic become?
ReplyDeleteAlyanna Igliane J04
what kind of chemicals do our bodies injest on a daily basis as compared to the 1950's?
ReplyDeleteChris Day J01
How many studies have been conducted to prove the effects of these plastics? Is there enough scientific evidence to prove the long term negative effects of the plastics and their chemicals in our society? And if so, how long will it take for our society to quit using these harmful products in everyday life?
ReplyDeleteChelsea Green J03
What actions did Moore's detour in the Pacific inspire him to take?
ReplyDeleteRoss Douglas J02
Does the "Eastern Garbage Patch" still exist in the same areas today? If so, is it increasing at an outrageous rate?
ReplyDeleteXuyen Nguyen J04
I wonder what effort it would take to attempt to remove these vast "garbage patches" from the from the oceans? It wouldn't solve the base issue of pollution but it would be a step at containing the ammount of errant plastics in the environment.
ReplyDeleteStephen Bishop J03
I'm curious if there is a link between autism and the harmful effects of PFOAs, PBDEs, and BPAs?
ReplyDeleteNicole Lopez J03
In what more useful ways can the educated in this information work to spread the word about plastics? Before this reading, I had no idea how harmful plastics could really be. I didn't know that they could be cancer-causing, do prenatal harm, or cause reproduction problems. It came as quite a surprise to me.
ReplyDelete-Leah Gregg J03
How is it that we as humans continue to create seemingly unevil products that can potentially end our human existence? It's obvious that the multiple uses of these plastics have become detrimental to our bodies and reproductive system, causing multiple types of cancers and infertility. Surely there are other less harmful products we could be using, why haven't they started?
ReplyDeleteEric Mountcastle J02
How is it that the "Eastern Garbage Patch" stayed out of news.Why aren't more people involved in trying to get this kind of important information out there? The thought of all the illnesses that comes from plastic makes me wonder how much of that could a person my age have in my system?
ReplyDeleteIn this saying, "The world of a true biologist is also filled with potential investigations. This person goes home in the evening and despairs for only seconds over the bindweed strangling his tomato plants, for in that he recognizes a lifetime of experiments." How can one find a lifetime of experiments in a bindweed plant?
ReplyDeleteFlorence Hadley J01
what are protists?
ReplyDeletetravis johnson j01
Why was the ocean so polluted in this one spot, the doldrum.
ReplyDeleteMichael Caruso jo2
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIs money and the big business industry play part in the distribution of the information regarding plastic pollution?
ReplyDeleteI was wondering more about the sea creatures, do they face the same health issues such as cancer or reproductive problems like humans?
Have the sea creatures adapted to their highly polluted environment?
-If so, exactly how have they adapted?
LaTia Jackson, JO3
Wow... I wasn't aware that the problem was so bad. One problem I see is that this piece of writing would leave many americans in the dark. Even having taken high school Chemistry, Biology, Human anatomy and Medical Terminology, it was really hard to understand instantly. I found myself rereading multiple sentences, and I feel I still don't understand the whole of the information presented to me. Would more people care, or even know about this problem if it was presented in a more simple format?
ReplyDeleteRichard Ringle JO2
How is it that the garbage is in one long line of trash, is there more pollution just than trash? How is that possible?
ReplyDeleteAnastasia Brink, J01
Plastic Ocean-I know that new born babies have like glass bottles from the hospital, but why aren't they secure with plastic bottles to infants and tots? I think they should quit having plastic bottles period.
ReplyDeleteFlorence Hadley j01
On page 11, it says, "There's a basic moral horror in seeing the pictures: a sea turtle with a plastic band strangling its shell into an hourglass shape..." How are the sea turtles getting plastic bands around their shells?
ReplyDeleteOn page 12 is it saying that we shouldn't eat microwave popcorn because we are going to be digesting plastic chemicals that if we eat it constantly then we are going to die or we are just going to become very sick?
Chelsea Durham JO3
If so little amount of plastic can actually be recycled then why doesn't the world try to replace plastic with other materials that can actually be used more than once?
ReplyDeleteAmanda Banh J02
Do you think plastic is going to be around all your life? There was a time in life there was no plastic, it was only invented 144 years ago.
ReplyDeleteRegina Demmert
Why is it that when people do know the severity of what could happen, with all of the technology that we have today there are no protestors nor boycotting the plastics that could in the long run possibly hurt the human race?
ReplyDeleteAngelia Normandia Jo3
1)If Biologist spend a lot of time out in the field, then how is it they can still have a family when they’re gone all the time?
ReplyDelete2) Who does someone go too to get funding for field research, Like the research done in Madagascar with the Lemurs?
3) Bryan Doyal makes a great point, just because people say animals aren’t in a specific area anymore doesn’t mean they won’t come back, But my question is this. Why is it tell now that Bryan Doyal is speaking up about his encounter?
Marc Lapeyri J02
Does PFOAs, PBDEs, and BPAs have other effects on people like hair fallout or stunted growth?
ReplyDeleteJanice Smith 104
(added on a question from above)
John Seems like a guy who has a positive outlook about technology in the field of biology. He mentions the good things it does for science, but leaves out if there are any negative things about technology. Is there any letdowns in technololgy regarding the field of biology? If so what are they?
ReplyDeleteChris Day J01
1)Did the Author of "On Becoming a Biologist" develop the mental exercise he talked about or did he learn it from some one else?
ReplyDelete2) In "Fishering" is the writer trying to tell the reader without an open mind are we not seeing everything there is to be seen?
3)In "For the Love of Lemurs" it said a giant lemur the size of a gorilla use to roam Madagascar 350 years ago. Did this animal become extinct due to it being hunted, or due to a lack of reproduction?
Westin Dollmont
J01
OBAB
ReplyDeleteBy reading the first chapter of this book I was wondering if a naturalist makes a good biologist, and why?
-Kelly Fernandez, JO4
OBAB
ReplyDeleteWhen people study a specific species do they usually have a degree specific for studying that species or do they say have a degree in the overall study of animal behavior but just happened to get a job working a specific species?
SNW
Why is that Lemurs are only found in Madagascar? Does the environment and food sources in Madagascar differ that much from the relatively similar areas on the West Coast of Africa or is it just because there is no way for them to travel across the ocean in a big enough amount to actively reproduce and survive on the mainland of Africa?
Sammy Becker
JO1
OBAB - The chapter talked alot about biologists and naturalists. While I read the chapter, I will be rereading it as it was not made clear what the differences were in biologists and naturalists. Are the two labels interchangable? I have talked with "naturalists" on local tour ships and state ferries and not all of them have degrees in science. So, are they just summer hires that read up on the basics of the local flora, & fauna and then pass this information on to tourists?
ReplyDeleteSNW - Loved the writing on Lemurs. I find the fact that they are, for the most part, a female dominated society to be fascinating. The author talked about the now extinct gorilla size lemur. What is the scientific findings regarding the reason for it's extinction? Loss of food source? Disease? Pollutants?
Deema Ferguson
J02
SNW-How much are the locals involved with the sancturary and does it provide a sorce of profit for the island as a whole?
ReplyDeleteOBAB-How could anyone find studying frogs, or any other group of animals for that matter, to be unusual to the point of considering someone who does to be "not entirely right in the head"?
Fisher-Life will always find a way and animals will always be more resourcful then we give them credit; especially when we are not looking. What else might be out there that we don't yet know about?
Sarah Ryan
J03
Fisher- On page 27 he talks about how grooming is so important to the lemurs that it has shaped the evolution of their teeth. What else has evolution done for these lemurs? I dont understand why they use there teeth in the first place.
ReplyDelete-Kelly Fernandez, JO4
OBAB- I wonder, what sort of science fiction things will come to life during my lifetime?
ReplyDeleteSNM- Did wright chose her passion for lemurs over her love for her family?
Hannah Massey JO4
Plastic Ocean- Why doesn't these products such as water bottles and popcorn have the warnings mentioned in this article on them?
ReplyDeleteFishering- Why wouldn't the man in the story leave a map for his children of all the wonderful things he found?
OBAB CH1- Does this chapter open up a whole new meaning to biologists to anyone?
Johanna Christensen
J01
OBAB: I'm curious about how many biologists consider themselves to be a naturalist?
ReplyDeleteFishering: Did the man go back to the biologist and disclose his discovery? I must add, I love the line "...when the time comes for me to add to the compost of the world."
Lemurs: I wonder if Wright is still fighting to keep funded?
Nicole Lopez J03
OBAB-
ReplyDeleteAccording to JJJ biologists are those who observe their surroundings instead of looking for a friend or a cellphone. If one does not possess the characteristics that a biologist should have according to JJJ, is it possible for them to be or become a biologist?
Eric Mountcastle
SNW: What percentage of species on Earth have female dominated societies? When do female lemurs pass their child bearing age?
ReplyDeleteHow can a twelve pound animal kill a dog in less than a second?
Chelsea Green JO3
SNW: Why did Wright's husband leave her? Did it have to do with her passion for her career?
ReplyDeleteRoss Douglas
OBAB-
ReplyDeleteIs George Sutton's Arctic field sketches and Mexican paintings one of the oldest to be recorded? If not who was one of first person to record their findings?
SNW-Lemurs
Why type of female lemurs hibernate?Why is it that only some of the lemur females hibernate?
SNW-Fishering
Just because he seen one fisher does not mean that there are more does it?
SNW- Lemurs
ReplyDeleteWright mentions that females are usually in charge is this common for most primates?
SNW- Fishering
Why would he decide to not take photographs or recording and not take casts of its tracks or claim the former porcupine as evidence of the fisher. He could have had evidence to prove what he saw but decided not to take it.
OBAB
it is mentioned that public schools tend to encourage an early seperation of the arts and teh sciences. Do people feel that this is still true?
Freddie Munoz JO1
OBAB-
SNW: On page 29 it says that Madagascar now had eighteen national parks. When were these national parks made? and what all inhabits the parks?
ReplyDeleteChelsea Durham J03
SNW- lemurs
ReplyDeleteIn lemur societies, it is obvious that some of their traits and norms are similar to those that we as humans follow. For example monogamy is present in some groups of lemurs yet there are also cases of polygamy. Does the sexual activity/number of spouses depend on the species of lemur or are all these behaviors present in most lemur societies despite the species.
Eric Mountcastle
SNW: How did Wright choose to like choose lemurs than other animals and why is it so important?
ReplyDeleteAnastasia Brink, J01
SNW- Lemurs
ReplyDeleteI just think that it is astonishing that one person was able to contribute so much, through her passion.
I was wondering if Lemurs were cousins to Meerkats?
Wright states that everything hasn't already been discovered, how true is that statement?
What are some of the traditional native stories about the Lemurs?
SNW- Fishering
How did Brian Doyle come see the world the way he does? Despite discouragement, he saw what everybody said wasn't there.
LaTia Jackson, J03
SNW-For The Love Of Lemurs-
ReplyDeleteHow can a person figure out a name for a new animal that they haven't seen before? and how do they go about discovering what it does? i got this question on page 22.
Florence Hadley,J01
Are all bioligists naturalists?
ReplyDeletemichael caruso J02
ReplyDeleteFishering - Being a native of Oregon, I am well aware of the vast clear cutting of forests and loss of habitat for many indiginous species. The article states that there are only two significant populations of fishers left in Oregon. Is there a chance that there may be more significant populations in the future in areas of reforestation?
ReplyDeleteDeema Ferguson
J02
Lemurs: Have lemurs originating from Madagascar (after that first initial lemur that started it all) bred and formed groups in other countries?
ReplyDeleteFishering:
I wonder, would anyone have found a fisher sooner in that unknown area, if they had simply been more vigilant in thinking that it COULD be there?
-April Henderson, J04
Fishering: If fishers are known to be very fast and agile creatures, then why is it so easy for hunters to hunt them?
ReplyDeleteOBAB: How many different types of biologists are there? And what is the most common?
Lemurs: Why are female lemurs more dominate then the males?
Alyanna Igliane JO4
OBAB:
ReplyDeleteCH 2 page 45 states, "Third, the fact that results have been published doesn't mean the work is beyond reexamination."
Is it true we believe information is accurate because it has been published? We seem to be quick judge the accuracy of the news so why not turn that attention to question science.
Danielle Orbistondo, J01
Are there only two significant populations of fisher, or is it that we, as observers, just have not seen many, and made assumptions?
ReplyDeleteHannah Massey J04
OBAH: CH 2
ReplyDeleteOn page 76 it states; "It is nearly impossible for a person to expunge implicitly taught lesions from his or hers demeanor."
I was wondering what that meant and why is it so important in the scientific aspect?
-Kelly Fernandez, JO4
What is the goverment doing to replenish the forests that are being depleted due to clear cutting
ReplyDeleteMichael Caruso jo2
Is the government going to do anything with the empty cut forests?
ReplyDeleteKatrina Moran, JO4
OBAB-Chapter 2
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that through public education we only learn of what biology is instead of experiencing first hand what a biologists does?
SNM-The Nature of Violence
Are there studies researching how animals experience pain? If so, how is this done?
Hannah Massey J04
OBAB-Chapter 2
ReplyDelete"Someday another student will come along and establish the new context by 'seeing' in the work something that senior workers, restricted by their own paradigm, cannot see." (Pg 45)
Are biologists that are at the beinning of their careers more valuable than 'senior workers' who are more experienced because they are not yet restricted by a paradigm?
SNW-The Nature of Violence
What other insects are similar to the gryllacridids in that they lack the 'standard insect defenses'(they have no stench, toxins, or sting)?
J03
the nature of violence- are there gryllacridids outside of Australia?
ReplyDeletetravis johnson j01
O.B.A.B.-are revolutions in science increasing or decreasing in regularity?
ReplyDeletetravis johnson j01
The nature of violence- Since Gryllacridids are so small in size, what is their longest life span documented?
ReplyDeleteXuyen Nguyen jo4
1) Today it seems like the US is trying its hardest to be as “green” as possible why isn’t there more serious government funded recycling programs out there? And why isn’t the government stepping in and stopping the clear cutting that is going on?
ReplyDelete2) Who discovered the gryllacridid, has it changed in anyway from when it was first discovered?
Marc J02
Why is it that in a Biology classroom, we have to learn most of our studies through a text book, and not go out and about doing on hand research?
ReplyDeleteXuyen Nguyen JO4
I thought that it was interesting how insects can detect an animals chemicals for them to be alarmed. Does that mean it is instinct for them to automatically search for it and attack? or is it only when they feel threatened?
ReplyDeleteChris Day J01
john often mentions that to be a biologist you have to be extremely observant, doing it almost subconciously. he also mentions that every biologist becomes fascinated with organisms. what if someone lacks these characteristics and wants to be a biologist? does that mean they wont be successful even if they are very intelligent?
ReplyDeleteChris Day J01
OBAB-
ReplyDeleteJohn Janovy Jr. speaks about a young scientist on pages 49 and 50 who is experimenting with cells. He speaks of how the scientist discovered parts of immunology that had not been explored. Is this the same in all fields? I know that scientists are curious people and they enjoy solving problems and getting answers, but is there a reason for a lack of 'particular talent lately?'
SNW-
Is there a reason for the gryllacridids' agression? They will go against a predator even in the face of death. Is it because they want to make up for their lack of defenses or small size?
Eric Mountcastle J02
Does Biology deal with immunology based on things found in nature only or are some immunizations man made
ReplyDeleteMichael Caruso J02
in the guid book the word wilderness is underlined. this word is used and defined in the accidental explorer.this word being defined as a place untouched by man. I feel there is few such places untouched by man. my question is this.is there any place unmarred by man? meaning no man made trails, signs, or abandoned buses.
ReplyDeleteWhy are we reading grizzly man? What does that have to do with what we are trying to learn?
ReplyDeleteNani Toetuu J02
do people really care? Do they care enough to make a change after knowing all this information?
ReplyDelete