SCIE 113 Speaker Series Worksheet 3

.docx

School

University of British Columbia *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

113

Subject

Biology

Date

Dec 6, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by harneetdeol48

SCIE 113 Speaker Series Worksheet This worksheet is designed to help you analyze arguments presented by speakers at the SCIE 113 speaker series, to concisely summarize their most important points in your own words, and to keep track of sources of information – all important skills that we will practice and apply throughout the course. This worksheet will also be a useful resource if you use information from the speaker series in Essay 1 or the final project. However, this worksheet is not intended for extensive note-taking, and we recommend that you take notes elsewhere before summarizing your answers on this worksheet. Please try to answer questions in 2 sentences at most, unless otherwise noted. Background questions (not for marks, but your TA may give you feedback on these) 1. What is the speaker’s name and job title? The speaker’s name is Ben Matthews, and he is an assistant professor in the Department of Zoology at UBC. 2. What is the speaker’s discipline or background in science? Using the APA style guide on Canvas, provide a reference for the source where you learned this information. The speaker's research area is comparative physiology specifically understanding how the genome of mosquitos affects their ability to perform adaptive behavior. http://mosquitolab.zoology.ubc.ca/ 3. Using the APA style guide on Canvas, provide a reference for this speaker’s presentation. Matthews B. UBC Vancouver. (2023 October). Thirsting for blood and hunting for water: Genetics and neurobiology of mosquito behavior [webinar]. Zoom. https://ubc.zoom.us/rec/play/KZtrQNdjEePJr5ihZ3caMmLuMqGiHDdp6GpPkCVPTDknYuKuq9Jiu KE30XnmjmjfYYHg7wFpL_D51iE.fl3XWJxhTifM5ZFz?canPlayFromShare=true&from=sh are_recording_detail&continueMode=true&componentName=recplay&originRequestUrl=https %3A%2F%2Fubc.zoom.us%2Frec%2Fshare%2FVlOMFChO6Ro7pdQZLnrJl0i 28JaCEIA2R5OMvE6qDuf_Um5WFw7euIEthjU5NXNr.6AbCc6ienFKjJCx2 Questions marked for completion (3 points total) 4. What is one question that you would like to ask the speaker? (1 point) One question I would like to ask the speaker is how previously conducted research in the field of gene expression influenced his research methods/question. Specifically, if any of this research motivated him to direct his research in a specific direction. 5. What was one thing you learned that you found particularly interesting? (1 point) © SCIE 113 2023 I found learning how specific genome sequences can be expressed in behavioral cues quite interesting. Learning how protein products come together into neural circuits which then are activated by sensory cues was something I found to be very informative. 6. In what way does this presentation relate to what you have learned in SCIE 113 so far? (1 point) (Note: This question does not apply to the first speaker series presentation of the term.) This presentation relates to the processes of an essay outline which we learned in class. Similar to an essay outline and structure, the research discussed in the presentation follows an outline and there is a flow of information that structures the overall processes of genome encoding in the nervous system. As discussed in SCIE 113, it is crucial to follow an essay outline to structure your ideas and allow each idea to connect to the main claim of the paper. Questions marked for content (7 points total) Note: If the speaker has discussed multiple research projects, please choose one research project to write about for the following questions. 7. What is the speaker’s research question? (1 points) The speaker is interested in specific genetic mechanisms and regulatory pathways underlying the evolution and expression of adaptive behaviors in mosquitos. Specifically, blood-feeding preferences and egg-laying site selection was researched and how these behaviors contribute to their ecological and evolutionary success. 8. What approaches or methods does the speaker use to investigate the research question? (1 point) The speaker employs a diverse array of

methodologies spanning genomics, genetics, and behavioral studies to investigate their research question. An example includes studying egg-laying sites of mosquitos to determine what characteristics they are evaluating including bacterial presence, pH levels, predator presence, climate changes, etc. They also evaluated behavior by examining speed-up footage of the processes of mosquito egg reproduction and mimicked blood-feeding processes. 9. What is the main claim that the speaker makes about the research project? (2 points) The speaker’s main claim is that specific genome sequences in mosquitos cause them to make behavioral choices during reproduction maximizing their chances of survival. For example, it was discovered that mosquitos prefer freshwater over salt water to lay their eggs maximizing chances of viable hatchment and repopulation. Sensory neurons also influence behavior by serving as the primary link between the external environment and the mosquito's nervous system. For example, the detection of carbon dioxide can lead the mosquito to identify the presence of a host for blood-feeding. 10. Using point-form notes, list examples of relevant evidence that the speaker presented to support the claim that you identified in question 9. (3 points) - Mosquitos are responsible for approximately 830,000 human deaths a year (the leading cause) - Anthropophilic mosquitos spread a variety of arm viral pathogens and preferentially bite humans -Mosquitos turn nutrients and amino acids from blood into eggs for reproductive abilities © SCIE 113 2023 -Mimicked blood-feeding processes in laboratory settings with warmed sheep blood and found that eggs were produced as early as 5 days -Presented mosquitos in environments with options regarding specific concentrations of sodium chloride or table salt and examined that female’s chose to lay eggs on freshwater -Specific sensory receptors in the mosquito antennae and other sensory appendages are responsible for detected odors, heat, and other environmental cues -Neuroimaging techniques such as calcium imaging have shown increased neural activity in the brain region associated with sensory information processing -Mosquitos with mutations or variations in sensory neuron-related genes exhibit altered behavioral traits, such as changes in blood-feeding preferences or egg-laying site selection.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version