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Basic Research

I undertook some basic research of each of my four topics using the mindmaps I created. For each one I looked at a number of sources and compiled useful and interesting information to present back to the class. I also found a number of interesting events and studies for each of my topics.

Dreams

  • Dreams are "stories,  images, and sensations" that are created by our minds while we sleep.

  • Often rely on the memory and the subconscious to form

  • Science-wise, dreams occur during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep

    • Sleep is categorised as 5 different stages; 4 stages of non-REM sleep and the 5th and final stage, where dreams occur. Also known as Paradoxical sleep (https://www.verywellhealth.com/definition-of-paradoxical-sleep-3014904)​

    • REM sleep is the shortest sleep stage but has the most intense brain activity, which leads to dreaming as a result

      • Longer dreams occur closer to the end of this sleep stage as the brain gives its final waves of intense activity. This is why most people describe longer dreams ending at their peak (or the "exciting" bit).

  • Lucid dreaming (dreams where you are aware you are asleep and dreaming) was described as a phenomenon. 

    • Scientists have linked it to REM sleep and the increase in brain activity​

    • Still being actively researched, some links have been found to neurological differences between people as well as an impact from diet and nutrition.

  • Sleep paralysis is NOT a form of dreaming.

  • Parasomniac events - sleep-related disorders. Unwanted events that happen during sleep

    • Nightmares, night terrors, sleepwalking​

      • Potentially congenital (genetic)​

  • Interpretation of dreams varies across cultures

    • Been done for thousands of years​

    • Ancient societies believed they were communications with God

    • Became more personal after Freud wrote "The Interpretation of Dreams"

      • Stated that dreams are tied to the subconscious and individual want​

Extreme Weather

  • Term for unusual, unexpected, or unseasonal weather.

  • Measured in comparison to historical weather norms.

  • Includes:

    • Cold spells

    • Heatwaves

    • Excessive rainfall

    • Flooding

    • Drought

    • Storms

    • Tropical cyclones

    • Tornadoes

    • Extreme winds

  • Any area can experience it

    • Though some places are becoming more susceptible to extreme weather events

    • Coastal areas - more susceptible to high winds, flooding, and storms

    • The equator - found to experience more of any given weather event  but mainly heatwaves, storms, and cyclones

    • Typically hot countries - more likely to experience floods when it does rain because the ground is too solid to drain away water

  • Climate change is causing more extreme weather events than usual

    • Heatwaves

    • Droughts 

    • Allows for events like wildfires and dust storms to happen easily

  • Also changes water and rain cycles, so there will be more rainfall but changing wind patterns means certain places may have low rainfall

Deep Sea Trenches

  • Deep-sea trenches form as a result of subduction

    • When two tectonic plates collide

    • One of the plates slide underneath the other, forming the trench in the gaps

  • Not very stable due to underwater volcanoes and numerous earthquakes

  • There are a number of these trenches around the world

  • Expeditions have been led to try to discover what the conditions are like, many of which still underway

    • Many notable expeditions are to the Challenger Deep, the deepest known point on the seafloor. (around 10,930m)

      • Named after the HMS Challenger, the ship that first discovered and recorded the depth of the trench

      • The Trieste - 1960 expedition to the bottom of Challenger Deep

        • Don Walsh and Jean Piccard were the first to dive to that depth​

      • Deep-Sea Challenger - 2012 expedition lead by James Cameron to return to Challenger deep​

  • Only 12 people have ever gone to the bottom of the Challenger Deep

    • Equally, 12 is also the number of people who have physically walked on the moon​

      • More people have been to space than to the bottom of our oceans​

  • Sea life has had to adapt to the pressure of the water

    • Very little life found at the deepest depths​

    • Trenches do contain life closer to the surface.

      • Anglerfish, the “Blobfish”, Giant Squids, Giant Amphipods (found in the Kermadec Trench), the Vampire Squid, and the Megamouth Shark​

Genetics

  • The study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity (the passing down of genes between ancestors)

  • Observed for a number of years for mainly agricultural purposes, but was only begun to be researched in-depth scientifically in the 19th century

    • Farmers would select the best crops to replant so the new plants would bare the same quality of fruit as the original

      • Now considered a form of cloning​

        • Plant Splicing​

    • Gregor Mendel - experimented with pea plants.

      • He would cross-pollinate the plants and document the traits they displayed as a mathematical ratio. He identified “pure-bred” plants, and cross-pollinated them to see the distribution of their traits. He was then able to recognize and identify “dominant” and “recessive” traits.

        • Some of the flowers on the plants were either white or purple. Purple flowers would appear from two white-flowered plants that pollinated​

  • Nettie Stevens - using Mendel’s work was able to identify the X and Y chromosomes

    • Experienced genetic mutations with their subject matter  - was able to make the argument that genes were within chromosomes. From here it was discovered that DNA is responsible for genetic inheritance.

      • Mutations are caused during the copying process. Some but not all mutations are hereditary.

        • Hereditary examples include green eyes, cystic fibrosis, and colour-blindness.

        • Non-hereditary examples include polydactyly and heterochromia.

  • Genetics has been used agriculturally and aesthetically in terms of selective breeding

    • Crops have been and continue to be selectively bred for the purpose of a more bountiful harvest

      • For example, wild vs. Cavandish Bananas -  Wild bananas were selectively bred to bare bigger fruit with more flesh and no seeds, when in reality a natural banana is small and almost entirely seeded

    • Animals have also been selectively bred for multiple purposes, both functional and aesthetical.

      • Lots of breeds of dogs have been bred for specific purposes (some beneficial but mostly detrimental)

        • Pugs - Bred for its signature flat face but also causes breathing problems due to short nasal passages​

        • ​British Bulldogs - Actually Spanish, bred for bullfighting because their short stature made it easier to take out the bulls legs. Now most will experience skin problems and lots cannot groom themselves​

        • Golden Retrievers - Selectively bred for the aesthetic, which resulted in inbreeding. Now the breed is more susceptible to different types of cancers

  • •Advancements in cloning

    • Plant grafting where

      • Cuttings of a plant are taken and replanted to produce a genetically identical plant

    • Experiments on cloning humans and animals have been taking place

      • Dolly the sheep

        • Dolly was the first mammal to be cloned.

          • DNA was taken from one sheep and put into an egg cell from a second sheep, which produced an embryo that later was carried by a third sheep and produced Dolly.

            • She grew to adulthood with few issues as a result of her cloning​​

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