Hi there, I’m Tovie-Jean and this is my Science test blog post!

1. Describe the key topics we have covered so far this term:

The key issues we have covered in this term include Genetic code, DNA, Punnett squares, Alleles/Genes, Mutations, Natural selection, Artificial selection, Adaptation and finally, Evolution. 

     2.  In one paragraph describe the words: DNA, Gene, Allele, Inherit, and Punnett square and connect them to each other. 

     3.  Do the same as #2 but with the words: Trait, Natural selection, Survival, Reproduction and evolution. 

TITAN: 

Explain CRISPR and how CRISPR offers several key benefits for humans. Then explain if the benefits are morally acceptable to use. 

Firstly, DNA and Genetic code.

The genetic code consists of sequences of nucleotides in DNA that dictate how information is translated into proteins. It is made up of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). The code is read in triplets called codons, each corresponding to a specific amino acid. This nearly universal code reflects a common evolutionary origin and plays a vital role in heredity. Mutations can lead to variations that influence traits and drive evolution. Understanding the genetic code is crucial in genetics, medicine, and biotechnology, as DNA serves as the genetic blueprint for all living organisms. Each nucleotide includes a phosphate, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base, with specific pairing rules facilitating DNA replication and protein production.

Now for a little about Punnett squares.

Punnett squares are a tool used in genetics to predict the possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring based on parental traits. Named after Reginald Punnett, they consist of a grid where one parent’s alleles are listed along the top and the other’s along the side. 

By filling in the squares, you can see the potential combinations of alleles. For instance, crossing a heterozygous parent (Aa) with a homozygous recessive parent (aa) results in a 50% chance of offspring being Aa and a 50% chance of aa. 

Punnett squares help visualize inheritance patterns and illustrate concepts such as dominant and recessive traits, making them essential in the study of genetics.

Alleles/Genes and mutations: 

Alleles and genes are key concepts in genetics. A gene is a piece of DNA that provides instructions for a specific protein, while alleles are different versions of a gene. For example, a gene for flower colour might have purple and white alleles. The combination of alleles from both parents determines an organism’s genotype and phenotype. Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence of a gene, which can occur due to factors like environmental influences or errors during DNA replication. They can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral. Beneficial mutations can enhance survival, while harmful ones may lead to disorders. Understanding alleles, genes, and mutations helps us grasp inheritance and evolution.

Natural/artificial selection, Adaption and evolution.

Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce, a key idea in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. A well-known example is Darwin’s finches, which have evolved different beak shapes suited to their food sources in the Galápagos Islands, finches with larger beaks can crack tough seeds, while smaller beaks are better for eating insects. This adaptation shows how species change over time based on environmental pressures.

In contrast, artificial selection is when humans breed plants and animals for specific traits, such as distinct dog appearances. Unlike natural selection, this process is driven by human choices rather than environmental factors. Both natural and artificial selection demonstrate how adaptations play a crucial role in the evolution of species. 

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DNA is packed with information about how everything works. These instruction manuals have different sections called genes, which tell our bodies how to make specific proteins. The cool part is that each gene can have different versions called alleles, so there can be variations in traits, like eye colour or flower colour. When babies inherit genes from their parents, they get a mix of those alleles, which shape who they are. Punnett squares help us figure out what kind of traits offspring might have by showing all the possible allele combinations from their parents, making it easier to understand how traits and features are passed down through generations.

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DNA is like the instruction manual for living things, holding the recipes for making proteins. Within this manual, genes are specific sections that determine traits, and alleles are different versions of those genes that create variations, like blue or brown eyes. When parents pass their DNA to their offspring, they mix and match these alleles, shaping the next generation. Punnett squares are a fun way to visualize this process, showing the possible combinations of alleles that kids might inherit from their parents.

CRISPR, or Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, is a gene-editing technology that enables precise modifications to an organism’s DNA. It uses a guide RNA to target specific DNA sequences and an enzyme called Cas9 to cut the DNA, allowing for the addition, deletion, or alteration of genetic code. The technology holds great promise for treating genetic disorders and improving agriculture.

CRISPR offers several key benefits for humans:

1. Genetic Disorder Treatment: It can potentially correct mutations causing diseases like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia.

2. Cancer Therapy: CRISPR may help edit genes in cancer cells, enhancing their vulnerability to treatment.

3. Disease Prevention: It could modify genes to prevent hereditary diseases, improving long-term health.

4. Agricultural Improvements: By developing resilient crops, CRISPR can help ensure food security.

5. Biotechnology Advances: It paves the way to better vaccines and therapies.

The moral acceptability of CRISPR’s benefits is complicated. On one hand, it can correct genetic disorders and enhance agriculture, which is seen as positive. However,  concerns arise when it comes to enhancements, like “designer babies,” which pose risks of inequality and consent issues. In agriculture, modified organisms could disrupt ecosystems, raising questions about potential harm. Therefore, the moral acceptability of CRISPR depends on intent, risks, consent, and social impact. Ongoing discussions among ethicists, scientists, and the public are essential to get through these challenges and ensure responsible use of the technology.

Anyways, That’s all for today, 

Thank you for reading my blog/test!

Hi, I’m Tovie-Jean,

Today I’m going to be answering some questions about the story “The pedestrian”.

1. I don’t think The Pedestrian is a realistic view of the future because…

I don’t think The Pedestrian is a realistic view of the future because Bradbury’s story suggests that technology could lead to people becoming entirely glued to their screens and disconnected from the world around them. While technology has certainly changed the way people interact, it’s not as clear that it would lead to such a complete societal shift where everyone stays indoors and ceases to engage with the outside world. In reality, technology often brings people together in new ways—through social media, video calls, and even online communities—which could make the opposite scenario of more connection and engagement more likely.

Anyways, That’s all for today,

Byeee

Hello there, I’m Tovie-Jean,

In health, we played a game called “drawing in pairs”. The way in which you play this game is you sit back-to-back with your partner. In your hand, you will have a pencil and a blank piece of paper, and in their hand, they will have an image. Your partner will try to describe how to draw whatever is on their page and see who gets closer to the actual image.

The area of hauora that was affected whilst playing this game was Taha Whanau, which is a social game that gets you with a partner, and you have to try and understand the other person’s instructions.

My taha whanau was impacted positively because I had to improve my listening skills, which was the only way I could draw a nice drawing. 

Hi, I’m Tovie-Jean,

This is my reflection on Athletics Day.

Yesterday in athletics didn’t participate. Instead of participating, I was cheering on my friends/family and supporting other people participating. This was because I don’t like how many people there were watching everything and so I decided to avoid that by not participating.

Some change I think we could add to make athletics day better Is

1. A few more speakers around the field would make it so that you can hear the announcements more clearly no matter where you are.
2. Free water (and maybe fruit), This is because most people have been running around participating and showing an excellent job and so by handing our free water and food it’s like a thank you.
3. Flag things, I think if we put like a flag on a pole around where the event is saying like “Long jump” near the long jump pit and “800m run” near the 800 meter run so help us see the event space as well.

Anyways that’s all for today, Thankyou for reading my blog.

Hi, I’m Tovie-Jean,

In health class, we played a little game called water pong. Water pong is exactly like beer pong except you don’t drink the water and obviously, It’s water. For this blog post, we had to answer a few questions about the game and so here they are:

1. Explain what the activity was that you participated in

The game as I said before, is water pong. The way we played the game was that we got into teams (with an equal amount of players) and set up the cups (11 cups) in a triangular way. Then we each had a turn throwing the ping pong ball into the other’s cups. If we threw the ball at the cup and it went in, that would then be a point and so the person would have to take that cup away. The rules were one person throwing at a time, you couldn’t lean over the table and the other table wasn’t allowed to interfere with the ball.

2. Explain how your Hauora was affected by participating in the activity

When I was playing this game it affected 2 main areas of my Hauora. These areas were Taha Whanau and Taha Tinana. The game affected my Taha whanau & Taha Tinana positively and negatively in these ways.

1. Positively, It affected my Taha Whanau in the fact that I had to socialize and communicate with my team members talking to them about different ways to throw the ping pong ball etc. The Taha Tinana side of things, it affected me positively as I got better with my aim.
2. Negatively, It didn’t really affect my Taha whanau badly necessarily but there were a few disagreements. For my Taha Tinana, I can’t think of anyways that affected me negatively but maybe because I hurt my wrist when I tried to throw the ball lol.

3. Explain how the values of social justice were/were not shown today. 

I think it was shown in the fact that everyone was being respectful of people’s turn and they were including everyone, on the other hand it wasn’t shown in the places when people were cheating but that’s all.

4. Describe how the participation of individuals and groups can impact a class’s Hauora during an activity. 

When someone participates it can impact the class’s Hauora through the fact that it helps the team out where if you don’t participate then the team loses a player.

That’s all for today, Thankyou fo reading my blog,

have a good day!!

Hii,

I’m tovie and this is my fitness and nutrition blog post.

1. What is the definition of fitness?

The definition of fitness (from Google) is the condition of being fit and healthy or the quality of being suitable to fulfil a particular role or task.

2. What are 4 facts I know about nutrients?

I can tell you these:

1. A simple carbohydrate has lots of fast sugars in it. Simple carbohydrates give us energy that doesn’t last long. Examples of simple carbohydrates are soda, lollies, white bread and fruit.
2. Animal-based proteins are also made from amino acids. Animal-based proteins help us to be strong and build muscles. Without protein, our brain struggles to work. Examples are beef, chicken, fish, lamb and seafood.
3. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature. We need to have them in small amounts. Examples of saturated fats are coconut, egg yolks, animal meats, and cheese. 
4. Starch and fibre are types of complex carbohydrates. Starch is needed for our brain and gives us energy. Fibre is needed so we can go to the wharepaku. Fibre also helps to lower heart disease and keep us full. Examples of starch are potatoes, rice and pasta. Examples of fibre are linseeds, fruit, vegetables and oats.

3. How does vaping harm our Taha Tinana?

Some ways vaping can hurt our Physical wellbeing would be The fact that it can cause lung cancer and cardiovascular disease (Heart disease). Some ways this can happen is because these vapes produce a number of dangerous chemicals including acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde. It can also lead to coughing, dry throat and headaches.

4. 2 things I have learned about the diet I chose are:

I chose a Mediterranean diet so two things I learned about that would include

1. The Mediterranean Diet emphasizes plant-based foods and healthy fats. You eat mostly veggies, fruits and whole grains. Extra virgin olive oil is the main source of fat.
2. The Mediterranean Diet can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and many other chronic conditions.

Lastly, Miss Bennett gave us a small activity to do, this activity was to make up an example of what you could eat in 4 certain situations and what the best time to eat the meal would be:

(a) HIIT workout –

(b) First meal of the day before school –

(c) Low-intensity exercise like a walk or yoga –

(d) Long distance run 10km+ –

Anyway, That’s all for now!

Thank you for reading my Blog!

Hola, Buenos Noches,

I’m Tovie-Jean and today I’m doing an art reflection blog about what I learned in art this term!!

Let’s start off with what I thought the learning was that my teacher was trying to get across to me. I thought that whaea Rowena was trying to teach me (and the class) How to use texture, and patterns and how to use a small colour palette in our art. She was also trying to show us different techniques to use and how to do them.

To achieve this goal that she set for me I added some texture in the clouds/sky and ass different colors to add texture through color I also used colors I thought complemented each other and looked nice.

The art that we used as an example was this :

I think it’s a nice piece of art that has a lot of texture and it shows a small color palette and how to use a small color palette to your example !!

here is my (Unfinished) work :

To do this I choose to use pink and blue because they are very nice with each other and I choose brown for my dog. I used texture in the back of the sky by dipping the paintbrush on the paper.

Like this*

I enjoyed using these different textures in this artwork and I enjoy doing it for something that I loved. I like how we had the freedom to choose what we wanted to do.

I definitely struggled with using the small colour palette but I think I did relatively okay !!