Category: S&P 2: Synthetic Materials (MS)

Gather and make sense of information to describe that synthetic materials come from natural resources and impact society

F&I 1: Newton's 2nd Law (HS), F&I 1: Newton's 3rd Law (MS), F&I 2: Newton's 1st Law (MS), F&I 2: Newton's 3rd Law (HS), Forces & Interactions, Physical Science, S&P 2: Synthetic Materials (MS), Structure & Properties of Matter

Anchoring like octopus

GwynneL.

Anchoring like octopus SUMMARY: In this experiment, scientists tried to reproduce an anchoring mechanism modeled after octopus suckers. There were a few important aspects they wanted to mimic: the softness of the suckers so that suction could be maintained, even on rough surfaces. And the ability to sense proximity and tactile stimuli. They ended up… Continue reading Anchoring like octopus

Non-NGSS Articles, S&P 1: Atoms & Molecules (MS), S&P 1: Periodic Table Patterns (HS), S&P 2: Investigating Electrical Force (HS), S&P 2: Synthetic Materials (MS), S&P 4: Molecule Traits (HS), Structure & Properties of Matter

The Antibiotic Neomycin Enhances Coxsackievirus Plaque Formation

GwynneL.

The Antibiotic Neomycin Enhances Coxsackievirus Plaque Formation SUMMARY: This article talks about how antibiotics (specifically neomycin) and other positively charged substances can help viruses spread (the virus studied in this case has a negatively charged exterior). Most of the experiments looked at the reasons why the virus was able to form more plaques with the… Continue reading The Antibiotic Neomycin Enhances Coxsackievirus Plaque Formation

Forces & Interactions, Life Science, Physical Science, S&F 1: Cells (MS), S&P 1: Atoms & Molecules (MS), S&P 2: Investigating Electrical Force (HS), S&P 2: Synthetic Materials (MS), S&P 4: Molecule Traits (HS), Structure & Properties of Matter, Structure and Function

Using Nanoparticles to Treat Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

GwynneL.

Recent advances in the treatment of pathogenic infections using antibiotics and nano-drug delivery vehicles SUMMARY: This article talks about the different ways to combat antibiotic resistant bacterial infections. Most of the articles and methods focus on nanoparticles, coating nanoparticles with antibodies to detect pathogens, and creating an immune response using vaccination-like methods. LESSON COMMENTS: An… Continue reading Using Nanoparticles to Treat Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

Chemical Reactions, CR 1: Predicting Reactions (HS), Physical Science, S&P 2: Synthetic Materials (MS), S&P 4: Molecule Traits (HS), Structure & Properties of Matter, W 3: Digital vs Analog (MS), Waves & Electromagnetic Radiation

Nanoplastics and the Cell Membrane: A Simulation

GwynneL.

Polystyrene Nanoparticles Perturb Lipid Membranes(NOT OPEN ACCESS) SUMMARY: This experiment used computer graphics to simulate how polystyrene nanoparticles could possibly interact with a biological membrane. This requires knowing the chemical properties of both polystyrene and the cell membrane. The simulation (called a coarse-grained molecular simulation) showed that these tiny pieces of plastic are able to… Continue reading Nanoplastics and the Cell Membrane: A Simulation

HSus 1: Human Activity (HS), HSus 2: Monitoring Human Impact (MS), HSus 3: Arguing Sustainability (MS), HSus 3: Human/Ecosystem Interactions (HS), HSus 4: Evaluating Solutions (HS), HSus 5: Showing Human Impact (HS), Human Sustainability, S&F 1: Cells (MS), S&F 2: Body Systems (HS), S&F 3: Body Systems (MS), S&P 2: Synthetic Materials (MS), Structure & Properties of Matter, Structure and Function

Feeding Plastic to Rotifers

GwynneL.

Microplastic Size-Dependent Toxicity, Oxidative Stress Induction, and p-JNK and p-p38 in Activation in the Monogonont Rotifer (Brachionus koreanus)(NOT OPEN ACCESS) SUMMARY: Rotifers (Brachionus koreanus) were fed fluorescent microplastic beads of 3 different sizes: 6um, 0.5um, 0.05um. The pictures in this article show how much microplastic was still left inside the rotifers right after eating, after… Continue reading Feeding Plastic to Rotifers