Portfolio Presentation
1.) The three topics that I chose to demonstrate...
1.) Chemistry in Living Systems: lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals. Nutritional facts.
2.) Density and Buoyancy: How do you calculate density, and how can that result determine whether an object will float or sink?
3.) Scientific Investigation: Why is investigation in a "scientific way" so vital to what we know?
1.) Chemistry in Living Systems: lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals. Nutritional facts.
2.) Density and Buoyancy: How do you calculate density, and how can that result determine whether an object will float or sink?
3.) Scientific Investigation: Why is investigation in a "scientific way" so vital to what we know?
Chemistry in Living Systems
Chemistry in living systems is very crucial to any living person, animal, plant, etc. Lipids are fats. They are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Fat is something that we all need, but too much of the wrong kind isn't healthy. For example, saturated fats are not good for you, because they attach to your arteries. Cholesterol is a complex lipid that can build up, therefore, it's not the best thing for you either. Unsaturated fats are the best kind to eat because they are bent and loose. Proteins are amino acids that are linked together to form big molecules. Protein is very important to the human body because it gives us nutrition and makes us stronger. Carbohydrates are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but in different proportions than lipids. They have sugars and starches, which isn't the best thing for you, but is necessary in one's diet. Carbohydrates do give lots of energy to the human body. Some minerals that are important to your body are calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Calcium is what builds strong bones and teeth. Iron helps the red blood cells carry oxygen through all parts of your body. Magnesium helps the functioning of muscles and nerves, steadies the rhythm of the heart, and keeps your bones strong. Phosphorus, like calcium, forms healthy bones and teeth. Potassium helps the muscles and nervous system function. Zinc improves strong immunity, normal growth, wound healing, and sexual development.
Density and Buoyancy
Density is calculated by dividing an object's mass my it's volume. It is expressed in g/ml. The density determines whether an object will sink or float because if the density is greater than 1g/ml, the object will sink. If it's density is less than 1g/ml, then it will float. If an object's density is equal to 1, then it has neutral buoyancy, like water. Density isn't about just the mass or volume of an object. It is about the ratio of the two.
Scientific Investigation
Scientific investigation in a "scientific way" it vital to what we know. This is because experimentation leads us to many discoveries. Testing a theory is the best way to know whether it is true or not. Our knowledge of science is constantly leading us to new inventions and discoveries that would't be made if there was no science. Investigation of a certain topic is best when you already have previous information of what you are researching. Without previous knowledge in science, it would be difficult to discover anything new. Testing something in a scientific way is more organized than doing something randomly. In science, you know what you are doing, what you need, and what you are trying to prove. Without a scientific experiment, what you are ttrying to prove isn't as clear. If we didn't know all that we know about space, then we wouldn't have been able to have man step foot on the moon. Without man proving that the earth was round rather than flat, we would have false ideas about planet earth. The majority of our knowledge is from experimenting and investigating in a scientific way.
2.) Of the topics that I chose, I think that the most important is chemistry in living systems. I feel this way because without knowledge of this chemistry,we wouldn't be aware of the nutrition that we need in order to keep our bodies healthy. These elements of science let us know what is good for our bodies, and what is not. Minerals and organic compounds are what keep our bodies healthy and functioning.
3.) In my opinion, science is mostly experimentation. Without testing your hypothesis, there would be no way to be 100% positive that something is true. Experiments also let us know what we need to change in order to make our hypothesis true. Science is not things that cannot be measured. If something cannot be tested or proved through experimentation, then it is not science. These things include dreams, thoughts, etc. The process of science is very important because it is how we prove and discover new things. Without science, how would we know what is in the universe? Our bodies? Science does have limitations. If something cannot be measured, then it is something that cant be proved through science.
4.) I think that I did very well as a science student this year. I believe that I had very much growth. My scientific knowledge has greatly expanded, and I now have a much better understanding of various elements of science. The most challenging topic for me was astronomy. I had a slight difficulty comprehending all the information. The easiest topic for me was chemistry because it was simple for me to understand the different minerals, and what was healthy for you and what wasn't. I do have more interest in science. Now that i have gone in depth into the subject, I love digging deeper and deeper and learning new things about the topic. My future plans regarding science include taking it through my high school years. I look forward to learning even more science in the future!