BAELS 2

Directions:Answer the following questions in not less than 150 words (per question).Write your answers
on a used paper for additional points.Submit your output when classes resume.

1.How can one study the food safety and safety to the environment of ceops like BT corn and Golden
rice? Discuss your answer.

bacillus thuringiensis, a soil bacterium, produces several crystal (Cry) protein

toxins that destroy the gut of invading pests, such as larval caterpillars. So far,
over 50 cry genes have been identified and found to affect insect orders
differently. Considered safe to humans, mammals, and most insects, Bt has been
a popular pesticidal spray since the 1960s because it had little chance of
unintended effects. Engineering the gene into corn, however, caused an
unexpected public backlash. “We thought it was going to be the greatest thing
since sliced bread,” says Guy Cardineau, agricultural biotechnologist at Arizona
State University. “Here's a way to withstand insect pressure, eliminate the use of
pesticides, and Bt spray was widely used in organic agriculture,” he adds. The Bt
wrangle illustrates how differently a product and a process can be regarded.

2.How do human activities contribute to climate change and how do they compare with natural
influences? Human activities contribute to climate change by causing changes in
Earth’s atmosphere in the amounts of greenhouse gases, aerosols (small particles),
and cloudiness. The largest known contribution comes from the burning of fossil
fuels, which releases carbon dioxide gas to the atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases and aerosols affect climate by altering incoming solar radiation
and out-going infrared (thermal) radiation that are part of Earth’s energy balance.
Changing the atmospheric abundance or properties of these gases and particles can
lead to a warming or cooling of the climate system.
Since the start of the industrial era (about 1750), the overall effect of human
activities on climate has been a warming influence. The human impact on climate
during this era greatly exceeds that due to known changes in natural processes,
such as solar changes and volcanic eruptions. Greenhouse Gases

Human activities result in emissions of four principal green-

house gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide

(N2O) and the halocarbons (a group of gases containing fluorine,

chlorine and bromine). These gases accumulate in the atmosphere,

causing concentrations to increase with time. Significant increases

in all of these gases have occurred in the industrial era (see Figure

1). All of these increases are attributable to human activities.

• Carbon dioxide has increased from fossil fuel use in transpor-

tation, building heating and cooling and the manufacture of

cement and other goods. Deforestation releases CO2 and re-

duces its uptake by plants. Carbon dioxide is also released in

natural processes such as the decay of plant matter.

• Methane has increased as a result of human activities related

to agriculture, natural gas distribution and landfills. Methane

is also released from natural processes that occur, for example,

in wetlands. Methane concentrations are not currently increas-

ing in the atmosphere because growth rates decreased over the

last two decades.

• Nitrous oxide is also emitted by human activities such as fertil-

izer use and fossil fuel burning. Natural processes in soils and

the oceans also release N2O.

• Halocarbon gas concentrations have increased primarily due

to human activities. Natural processes are also a small source.

Principal halocarbons include the chlorofluorocarbons (e.g.,

CFC-11 and CFC-12), which were used extensively as refrig-

eration agents and in other industrial processes before their

presence in the atmosphere was found to cause stratospheric

ozone depletion. The abundance of chlorofluorocarbon gases is

decreasing as a result of international regulations designed to3.As a student, what are

you actually doing to fight pollution?

4.How has robotics and nanotechnology help you in your daily activities? Cite examples and
situationsThe word “robot” conjures up images of famous Hollywood humanoid characters, but
robots are mostly undramatic mechanical devices programmed to perform specific repetitive
functions. They are used routinely to carry out many tasks that people don’t want to do
because such jobs are boring, dirty or dangerous. Robots can also be programmed to carry
out some tasks that are too complex for humans. They are broadly classified as industrial and
have multiple uses from robots that weld parts on auto assembly lines to robots that interact
with humans in the service industry. Though you may not feel like you are dealing with a
robot, using the self checkout lane at the grocery store or purchasing tickets from a kiosk at
the movies involves interacting with service robots. Robots most obviously impact everyday
life in the service capacity. The word “robot” conjures up images of famous Hollywood
humanoid characters, but robots are mostly undramatic mechanical devices programmed to
perform specific repetitive functions. They are used routinely to carry out many tasks that
people don’t want to do because such jobs are boring, dirty or dangerous. Robots can also be
programmed to carry out some tasks that are too complex for humans. They are broadly
classified as industrial and have multiple uses from robots that weld parts on auto assembly
lines to robots that interact with humans in the service industry. Though you may not feel like
you are dealing with a robot, using the self checkout lane at the grocery store or purchasing
tickets from a kiosk at the movies involves interacting with service robots. Robots most
obviously impact everyday life in the service capacity.

Restaurants
Japan leads the world in robot technology by using robots in restaurant kitchens to make
sushi and chop vegetables. They are also important earlier in food production, planting rice
and tending growing crops. Additionally, robots work as receptionists, cleaners and drink
servers. Some robots specialize in making coffee, starting with the beans, while others can be
hired as a barman to serve drinks at parties or working behind a bar. The makers of such
robots claim a savings of up to 20 percent on the cost of spilled drinks.

Assisted Living
Elderly people living in assisted care facilities or nursing homes can also benefit from robots.
A Korean robot in the shape of a chair can carry human beings weighing up to 220 pounds
and is controlled with a simple joystick. Robots can help the elderly get out of bed and can
even provide a sense of companionship for those who are lonely.

Crime Fighting
Police forces use robots to check buildings to pinpoint the location of criminals they expect to
be armed and dangerous. Remotely controlled robots are used to check out suspect cars for
booby traps, which they are also programmed to disarm. In the event of a hostage situation
where police are unable to get too close, they can send in a robot to collect audio and visual
data that will help them better assess the situation and make more informed decisions about
how to proceed. Crime fighting robots are helpful in any situation that would be too dangerous
for people.

Medicine
Hospitals can program robots to distribute medication to patients. They can also be
programmed to interface with intelligent hospital elevators to reach any floor and return to the
hospital pharmacy for refilling.Robots in medicine even perform complex surgeries. Though a
surgeon sits at the controls and sees everything through a camera, a robotic arm conducts the
actual surgery, which helps maximize precision in delicate surgeries.
Education
Children are a major market for service robots. An early childhood education center in San
Diego, California employs a robot as a teacher's assistant. The robot teaches the kids to sing
and can help them to sound out words. Robotic toys are readily available for children of all
ages and can help kids start to think about how things work from an early age.

Protection
Another robot, called Spykee, is Wi-Fi friendly. Controlled through the Internet, it can be made
to watch, hear, monitor and speak on demand. It takes pictures, records videos, makes phone
calls and protects the family home through video surveillance.

Around the home

Called the vacuum cleaner with a brain, Dyson’s Robotic Cleaner memorizes the complete
layout of a house and covers every area of every room, making up to 10 decisions per
second. Meanwhile, in the yard, another robot is simultaneously cutting and mulching the
grass, while a third is cleaning the pool, checking the chemical mix of the water and
calculating the life left in the filters.

10 ways nanotechnology impacts our lives on a daily basis.1. Faster,

smaller, and more powerful computers that consume far less power,
with longer-lasting batteries. Circuits made from carbon nanotubes
could be vital in maintaining the growth of computer power, allowing
Moore's Law to continue.

2. Faster, more functional, and more accurate medical diagnostic

equipment. Lab-on-a-chip technology enables point-of-care testing in
real time, which speeds up delivery of medical care. Nanomaterial
surfaces on implants improve wear and resist infection.

3. Nanoparticles in pharmaceutical products improve their absorption

within the body and make them easier to deliver, often through
combination medical devices. Nanoparticles can also be used to
deliver chemotherapy drugs to specific cells, such as cancer cells.
4. Improved vehicle fuel efficiency and corrosion resistance by
building vehicle parts from nanocomposite materials that are lighter,
stronger, and more chemically resistant than metal. Nanofilters
remove nearly all airborne particles from the air before it reaches the
combustion chamber, further improving gas mileage.

5. Nanoparticles or nanofibers in fabrics can enhance stain resistance,

water resistance, and flame resistance, without a significant increase
in weight, thickness, or stiffness of the fabric. For example, “nano-
whiskers” on pants make them resistant to water and stains.

6. Water filters that are only 15-20 nanometers wide can remove
nano-sized particles, including virtually all viruses and bacteria. These
cost-efficient, portable water treatment systems are ideal for improving
the quality of drinking water in emerging countries.

7. Carbon nanotubes have a variety of commercial uses, including

making sports equipment stronger and lighter weight. For example, a
tennis racket made with carbon nanotubes bends less during impact,
and increases the force and accuracy of the delivery. Nanoparticle-
treated tennis balls can keep bouncing twice as long as standard
tennis balls.

8. Most sunscreens today are made from nanoparticles that effectively

absorb light, including the more dangerous ultraviolet range. They also
spread more easily over the skin. These same nanoparticles are also
used in food packaging to reduce UV exposure and prolong shelf life.
9. Many drink bottles are made from plastics containing nanoclays,
which increase resistance to permeation by oxygen, carbon dioxide,
and moisture. This helps retain carbonation and pressure and
increases shelf life by several months.

10. Thanks to nanotechnology, a huge variety of chemical sensors

can be programmed to detect a particular chemical at amazingly low
levels, for example, a single molecule out of billions. This capability is
ideal for surveillance and security systems at labs, industrial sites, and
airports. On the medical front, nanosensors can also be used to
accurately identify particular cells or substances in the body.

5.Is climate change related to biodiversity? How?Yes.Simpl Biodiversity affects our food,
medicine, and environmental well-beingThe link between climate change and
biodiversity has long been established. Although throughout Earth’s history the climate has
always changed with ecosystems and species coming and going, rapid climate change affects
ecosystems and species ability to adapt and so biodiversity loss increases.

Climate change is already having an iimpact on biodiversity, and is projected to become a

progressively more significant threat in the coming decades. Loss of Arctic sea ice threatens
biodiversity across an entire biome and beyond. The related pressure of ocean acidification,
resulting from higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is also already being
observed.
Ecosystems are already showing negative impacts under current levels of climate change …
which is modest compared to future projected changes…. In addition to warming temperatures,
more frequent extreme weather events and changing patterns of rainfall and drought can be
expected to have significant impacts on biodiversity.

Biodiversity also provides ecosystem services or benefits to people.

These benefits include: hurricane storm surge protection, carbon
sequestration, water filtration, fossil fuel generation, oxygen production
and recreational opportunities. Without a myriad of unique ecosystems
and their respective diverse plant and animal life, our quality of life may
become threatened.

6.What are your favorite media? How do we prepare to be responsible users of this new world? My
favorite media is that the facebook because facebook is part of my daily life
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Social media has the power to change lives—but for the most part, these changes
aren’t positive. More than 2 billion people around the world use
Facebook, the most popular social media platform, to get news, communicate with
family, and stay in touch with old friends.
It’s tempting to think that such a widely used platform (and such a popular industry)
would naturally be safe to use, but the reality is, social media has significant
destructive potential. And if we don’t all learn how to use it responsibly soon, it
could have devastating consequences for our lives – including society as a whole.

Social media isn’t a purely negative or positive force—it all depends on how you use
it. So if you want it to hold a positive, or at least a neutral place in your life, it’s on
you to take measures to use social media responsibly. Here’s how:

1. Limit the number of platforms you use. Though the causal link hasn’t been
affirmatively identified, there is a correlation between managing multiple social
media platforms and higher levels of stress and anxiety. Limiting the number of
platforms you use can decrease the total time you spend, and hopefully give you
fewer reasons to check in throughout the day.
2. Turn off notifications. Most of the time, we get the urge to check in on social
media due to some external prompt, like your phone buzzing when you get a
Facebook notification. Turning those notifications off can reduce the number of
prompts that encourage a reaction, and hopefully, break your habit of routinely
checking in.
3. Be aware of how much time you spend (and limit it). It may be hard to limit the
time you spend on social media, so the first step is to start tracking how much time
you’re spending, and how you’re spending it. With that knowledge, you can identify
the root causes of your habit, and work to improve it. Set a strict time limit for
yourself, such as half an hour a day, or three check-ins per day.
4. Note the quality of your online interactions. Not all social media use is bad. Pay
attention to how you feel after each interaction, such as getting a message or
reading a headline. If you feel negative feelings, consider unfollowing, muting, or
blocking the person who caused that feeling, or adjusting your habits to avoid it in
the future.
5. Seek out plenty of offline interactions. Finally, don’t let social media make up the
majority of your social interactions. No matter how convenient it is to keep in touch
via a digital platform, your best, healthiest, and most fulfilling interactions are
usually the ones you have in person.
Like any technology, social media is a neutral tool—one that can be used
effectively, as well as one that can be abused. The problem is too many people are
using these tools irresponsibly. It’s time we all start learning how to use these
platforms in a healthier way.