Assaignment # 1 The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment requires the active participation of students and the instructor to create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit, DB participation will be assessed based on both level of engagement and the quality of the contribution to the discussion. At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to the weekly dialogue by responding to at least two other posts from students. The first contribution must be posted before midnight (Central Time) on Wednesday of each week. Two additional responses are required after Wednesday of each week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the university tracks class attendance and participation. The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended, no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit. Background Biotechnology allows the use of living organisms or their processes for human needs or purposes. Currently, this topic includes such general examples as cloning, stem cells (adult, umbilical cord, and embryonic), DNA fingerprinting, biological warfare, bioremediation, genetically modified organisms, vaccines, and transgenic plants and animals to name a few. In this assignment, you will explore specific examples of biotechnology applications. Assignment Details Part 1 Biotechnology  is the use of a living thing or any part of a living thing to make a product or process that improves human life. For this part of the assignment, discuss the following: What are some of the examples of biotechnology that have made improvements to your life? Describe how one of these has made your life better. Do you have any concerns with biotechnology? Explain. Part 2 In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved food derived from cloned animals. In addition, these products will not need to be labeled as “cloned” or “from clones” (Black, 2008). The FDA explains that you will not be eating the clone itself. It takes thousands of dollars to clone a food animal such as a cow or pig. Animals that are cloned for improved food production will be used for a breeding program to produce many offspring with the desirable traits for increased meat or milk yield. These offspring of the clones will be fair game for food. Discuss the following: Do you think there are differences between a clone and a "normal" animal? How do you feel about eating a cloned animal? Is your opini.

1. Assaignment # 1
The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online
learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment
requires the active participation of students and the instructor to
create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is
expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB
question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts
created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit,
DB participation will be assessed based on both level of
engagement and the quality of the contribution to the
discussion.
At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original
and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to
the weekly dialogue by responding to at least two other posts
from students. The first contribution must be posted before
midnight (Central Time) on Wednesday of each week. Two
additional responses are required after Wednesday of each
week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the
Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the
university tracks class attendance and participation.
The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to
learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to
course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible
to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended,
no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit.
Background
Biotechnology allows the use of living organisms or their
processes for human needs or purposes. Currently, this topic
includes such general examples as cloning, stem cells (adult,
umbilical cord, and embryonic), DNA fingerprinting, biological
warfare, bioremediation, genetically modified organisms,
vaccines, and transgenic plants and animals to name a few. In
this assignment, you will explore specific examples of
biotechnology applications.

2. Assignment Details
Part 1
Biotechnology
is the use of a living thing or any part of a living thing to make
a product or process that improves human life. For this part of
the assignment, discuss the following:
What are some of the examples of biotechnology that have made
improvements to your life?
Describe how one of these has made your life better.
Do you have any concerns with biotechnology? Explain.
Part 2
In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved
food derived from cloned animals. In addition, these products
will not need to be labeled as “cloned” or “from clones” (Black,
2008). The FDA explains that you will not be eating the clone
itself. It takes thousands of dollars to clone a food animal such
as a cow or pig. Animals that are cloned for improved food
production will be used for a breeding program to produce many
offspring with the desirable traits for increased meat or milk
yield. These offspring of the clones will be fair game for food.
Discuss the following:
Do you think there are differences between a clone and a
"normal" animal?
How do you feel about eating a cloned animal?
Is your opinion of eating a cloned plant different?
Reference
Black, R. (2008).
U.S. approves animal clones as food
. Retrieved from the BBC News Web site:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7190305.stm
Provide references in APA format. This includes a reference list
and in-text citations for references used throughout the
assignment.
In your own words, please post responses to the Discussion
Board posts of at least two of your classmates. Responses must
be substantive, i.e. say something of substance that advances

3. the discussion about the concepts. You will be graded on the
quality of your postings.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, the
AIU Library, Web resources, and all course materials. Please
refer to the following:
Unit 3: Biotechnology Online
This assignment will also be assessed using additional criteria
provided
here
.
Grading Rubric
45%
Purpose of Assignment/Content Development
Demonstrates use of appropriate, relevant, and compelling
content expressing topic, main idea, and purpose to fully answer
all questions.
20%
Critical Thinking
Demonstrates ability to analyze assumptions and evaluate
evidence, complexities of issues, and alternatives. Demonstrates
ability to use creativity and originality in problem-solving.
Applies critical thought to the main topic and to student
responses sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course
content and the DB questions.
30%
Effective communication
Organization, Grammar, Presentation: Communicates ideas and
content relevant to the assignment through clear and effective
language and organization.
Presentation and delivery are confident and persuasive.
Audience, style, tone and perspective are consistent and

4. appropriate to discussion.
Correct grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.
5%
Information Literacy, Research
Student selects and uses high quality, credible references
relevant to the assignment questions. Sources are correctly cited
using APA style.
Assaignment # 2:
The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online
learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment
requires the active participation of students and the instructor to
create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is
expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB
question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts
created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit,
DB participation will be assessed based on both level of
engagement and the quality of the contribution to the
discussion.
At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original
and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to
the weekly dialogue by responding to at least two other posts
from students. The first contribution must be posted before
midnight (Central Time) on Wednesday of each week. Two
additional responses are required after Wednesday of each
week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the
Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the
university tracks class attendance and participation.
The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to
learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to
course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible
to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended,

5. no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit.
Background
For many years, antibiotics have been effectively used to treat
bacterial disease; and pesticides have been used to protect our
agricultural crops from many kinds of pests, including insects,
worms (nematodes), fungi, or agricultural weeds, for example.
A growing concern for treating bacterial diseases or pest
outbreaks is the evolution of antibiotic or pesticide resistance
by bacterial or pest populations. Resistance means that a
particular antibiotic is no longer effective in treating a disease,
or that a particular pesticide will no longer prevent crop
damage. This resistance can be viewed as evolution of a new
trait at the population level, which is resistance to an antibiotic
or to a pesticide. In this assignment, you will explore specific
examples of antibiotic or pesticide resistance.
Assignment Details
Methicillin resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) has become a big concern in hospitals throughout the
country and the world, as have other antibiotic resistant
bacterial strains.
Part 1
The use, overuse, and abuse of antibiotics is accredited with
creating these antibiotic resistant strains. Explain how this
relates to natural selection.
Describe 1–2 of the things that people do (you can include
individuals, doctors, health care professionals, hospitals,
farmers, etc.) that contribute to this problem? Why?
Part 2
How can you prevent or slow down the spread and further the
selection of new antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria?
Are there things that you can personally do to reduce your risk
or even to reduce the spread of these dangerous microbes?
What is your reaction to the following sign that is commonly
found in restrooms? Is it significant to the discussion of
antibiotic resistance?

6. (Free Signage, 2006)
Provide references in APA format. This includes a reference list
and in-text citations for references used throughout the
assignment.
In your own words, please post responses to the Discussion
Board posts of at least two of your classmates. Responses must
be substantive, i.e. say something of substance that advances
the discussion about the concepts. You will be graded on the
quality of your postings.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, the
AIU Library, Web resources, and all course materials. Please
refer to the following:
Unit 4: Understanding Evolution
Unit 4: Observed Instance of Speciation
Reference
Free Signage. (2006).
OSHA safety first signs
[Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.freesignage.com/osha_safety_signs.php
Grading Rubric
45%
Purpose of Assignment/Content Development
Demonstrates use of appropriate, relevant, and compelling
content expressing topic, main idea, and purpose to fully answer
all questions.
20%
Critical Thinking
Demonstrates ability to analyze assumptions and evaluate
evidence, complexities of issues, and alternatives. Demonstrates
ability to use creativity and originality in problem-solving.
Applies critical thought to the main topic and to student
responses sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course
content and the DB questions.

7. 30%
Effective communication
Organization, Grammar, Presentation: Communicates ideas and
content relevant to the assignment through clear and effective
language and organization.
Presentation and delivery are confident and persuasive.
Audience, style, tone and perspective are consistent and
appropriate to discussion.
Correct grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.
5%
Information Literacy, Research
Student selects and uses high quality, credible references
relevant to the assignment questions. Sources are correctly cited
using APA style.
Other Information
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Assaignment #
3:
The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online
learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment
requires the active participation of students and the instructor to
create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is
expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB

8. question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts
created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit,
DB participation will be assessed based on both level of
engagement and the quality of the contribution to the
discussion.
At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original
and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to
the weekly dialogue by responding to at least two other posts
from students. The first contribution must be posted before
midnight (Central Time) on Wednesday of each week. Two
additional responses are required after Wednesday of each
week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the
Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the
university tracks class attendance and participation.
The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to
learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to
course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible
to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended,
no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit.
Background
Angiosperms (flowering plants) are the largest Phylum in the
plant kingdom Plantae. (Note that the Phylum
Angiospermophyta may also be called Anthophyta or
Magnoliophyta in different classification systems.)
These plants have true roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. The
roots grow into the soil to anchor the plant in place and take up
water and nutrients. The leaves are above ground and act as the
main organs for photosynthesis. Stems provide above ground
support for the plant and operate as conduits to move nutrients
and water throughout the plant. Flowers contain the male and
female reproductive organs of the plant.
Assignment Details
Part 1
Plants develop specialized roots, stems, leaves, and flowers to
make them better adapted to their environment. People exploit
many of these modifications as vegetables. An example of this

9. is the taproot of carrots. The carrot plant stores sugars in the
taproot to supply energy for the formation of flowers in later
development. People dig up and eat the taproots while the sugar
content is still high. Complete the following:
Describe the anatomy (structure) and physiology (function) of a
plant. Is the structure of your plant a modification from the
standard root, stem, leaf, or flower?
Explain how this structure differs from the standard root, stem,
leaf, or flower.
Compare the plant that you have chosen, its structure, and its
function with 1 or more of your classmates’ choices.
Part 2
Animals are important for humans in ways other than providing
food. Medicines, clothing, beauty, fuel, air quality, building
materials, and industrial products are a few of the ways in
which humans exploit animals. Complete the following:
Choose 1 product or benefit that people get from animals
(besides food), describe it, and explain how people benefit.
Which do you think is the most important benefit of animals?
Select 1 benefit and explain.
List 3 adaptations that animals have that plants do not have.
Provide references in APA format. This includes a reference list
and in-text citations for references used throughout the
assignment.
In your own words, please post a response to the Discussion
Board. Be sure to compare and contrast your choice to other
plants presented by at least two other students by responding to
their posts, using "Reply to Message." You will be graded on
the quality of your postings.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web
resources, and all course materials. Please refer to the
following.
External Web links:
Unit 5: Plantae
Unit 5: Angiosperms: Flowering Plants

10. Grading Rubric
45%
Purpose of Assignment/Content Development
Demonstrates use of appropriate, relevant, and compelling
content expressing topic, main idea, and purpose to fully answer
all questions.
20%
Critical Thinking
Demonstrates ability to analyze assumptions and evaluate
evidence, complexities of issues, and alternatives. Demonstrates
ability to use creativity and originality in problem-solving.
Applies critical thought to the main topic and to student
responses sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course
content and the DB questions.
30%
Effective communication
Organization, Grammar, Presentation: Communicates ideas and
content relevant to the assignment through clear and effective
language and organization.
Presentation and delivery are confident and persuasive.
Audience, style, tone and perspective are consistent and
appropriate to discussion.
Correct grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.
5%
Information Literacy, Research
Student selects and uses high quality, credible references
relevant to the assignment questions. Sources are correctly cited
using APA style.