marketing ch.5 Essays

marketing ch.5 Essays marketing ch.5 Paper marketing ch.5 Paper Essay Topic: Literature false When analyzing the immediate environment and the macroenvironment, marketers must be careful to keep the firm at the center of all analyses. ⠐ £ ⠐ £ false In the immediate environment, the competition has no effect on consumers. ⠐ £ false Demographics are transmitted by words, literature, and institutions from generation to generation. ⠐ £ false As the euro becomes more expensive relative to the dollar, Americans are likely to purchase more European wines. ⠐ £ ⠐ £ false Macroenvironmental factors include the company, competition, and corporate partners. ⠐ £ false The global spread of technology has eliminated all differences between cultures. ⠐ £ ⠐ £ false Tweens rarely use any type of technology. false he members of Generation X are also referred to as Digital Natives. ⠐ £ ⠐ £ false One of the social trends discussed in the text that is shaping consumer values in the U.S. and around the world is a concern about the vast disparity in income. ⠐ £ ⠐ £ false Burger King no longer uses SpongeBob SquarePants to promote burgers and fries because the character is no longer popular with young children. ⠐ £ false Socially responsible marketing is defined as a strategic effort by firms to supply customers with environmentally friendly merchandise. ⠐ £ ⠐ £ false Inflation refers to the cost of borrowing money. ⠐ £ identify potential opportunities By paying close attention to customer needs and continuously monitoring the environment in which it operates, a good marketer can ⠐ £ ⠐ £ identify potential opportunties As a retail clothing store manager, Randy frequently asks his staff what customers are saying and what they are asking for. He also attends the quarterly clothing show at the regional merchandise mart. Randys efforts will likely help him to ⠐ £ ⠐ £ all of these The factors in the immediate marketing environment include the actions of the ⠐ £ ⠐ £ consumers The centerpiece of the Marketing Environment Analysis Framework is ⠐ £ competition A firms macroenvironment includes all of the following EXCEPT ⠐ £ ⠐ £ the consumer the center of all marketing efforts is ⠐ £ ⠐ £ her target customers As director of a small art gallery, one of Fredericas major concerns is the preferences of the people who buy her artists work. Frederica recognizes that the center of her marketing efforts is ⠐ £ ⠐ £ to offer greater value than competitors offer. One of the goals of value-based marketing is ⠐ £ ⠐ £ from a customers point of view. Ryan knows that one of the goals of value-based marketing is to provide greater value to consumers than competitors offer. To accomplish this goal, Ryans firm must look at everything it does ⠐ £ ⠐ £ needs, wants, and ability to purchase Yvonne knows her firm must look at everything they do from a consumers point of view. One major difficulty is that a consumers __________ change(s) over time. ⠐ £ ⠐ £ This generation puts a strong emphasis on work/life balance and are experts at using various media forms. Select the statement that best describes the key traits of Generation Y. ⠐ £ Time-poor society When an office supply store offers self-check-out, extended hours at its stores, and online shopping with next day delivery, it is trying to address what type of concern? ⠐ £ privacy. When you register your telephone number with the Do Not Call Registry, you are responding to a need for⠐ £ ⠐ £ the firm itself In the immediate marketing environment, one key factor that affects the consumer is ⠐ £ match their core competencies. Successful firms focus their efforts on satisfying customer needs that ⠐ £ match its core compenetencies The Mayo Clinic in Minnesota is known for top-quality medical care. For decades, even presidents and dictators from around the world flew to the Mayo Clinic to utilize its services. The Mayo Clinic used its reputation to create additional medical facilities in Jacksonville, Florida, and elsewhere. This is an example of a firm focusing its efforts on satisfying customer needs that ⠐ £ all of these When evaluating competitors, marketers need to assess competitors ⠐ £ likely reaction to Yuris promotional activities. Yuri is considering a new promotional campaign in which he will compare his products to those of his competitors. Before initiating the promotional campaign, Yuri will likely assess his competitors strengths, weaknesses, and ⠐ £ ⠐ £ corporate partners The firms that work along with the focal firm to provide goods and services to consumers are viewed as⠐ £ ⠐ £ corporate partners Firms that provide materials, transportation, advertising, accounting, and other goods and services, helping a firm create value for its customers, are called ⠐ £ ⠐ £ external The difference between a firms immediate marketing environment and its macroenvironment is that the macroenvironment is ⠐ £ ⠐ £ culture The shared meanings, beliefs, morals, values, and customs of a group of people constitute their ⠐ £ regional culture Political candidates are notorious for appealing to the different beliefs and values of groups of potential voters in different areas of the country. These politicians are appealing to differences in ⠐ £ ⠐ £ culture Insight Guides, a line of travel books, provides travelers with background information about the peoples beliefs, values, and customs. Insights books educate travelers about a countrys ⠐ £ ⠐ £ can help to identify a particular group that might be interested in the marketers products. When studying culture, the challenge for marketers is to determine whether culture all of these Marketers have learned that culture influences __________ consumers buy. ⠐ £ ⠐ £ country culture Late in the day on September 11, 2001, the day of the World Trade Center attacks, Americans purchased all the American flags Walmart stores had available, nationwide. These purchases were indicative of can be used as a relevant identifier for a particular target group. he United States has often been called the melting pot society, integrating people from many different cultures into the social fabric of the country. The challenge for marketers is to determine whether a groups culture ⠐ £ ⠐ £ all of these identifiable elements of a countrys culture include ⠐ £ ⠐ £ language When considering the use of a radio commercial in England that was designed for U.S. markets, a marketer would likely need to consider which of the following aspects of culture that might be different between the two countries? ⠐ £ regional culture In New England foot-long sandwiches are called grinders while in many other parts of the country they are called subs. This is an example of the impact of ⠐ £ ⠐ £ reduce regional cultural differences. the shift of population from the Rust Belt in the North to the Sun Belt in the South and Southwest will likely ⠐ £ ⠐ £ all of these Typical demographic data include ⠐ £ ⠐ £ demographics When marketers look at advertising media they often begin with viewer or listener profiles such as age, income, gender, and race. They then compare the media profile with their target audience. These marketers are using __________ to see if the media fit with their advertising agenda. ⠐ £ ⠐ £ purchase behavior Generational cohorts are groups of people of the same generation who have similar __________ because they have shared experiences and are in the same stage of life. ⠐ £ ⠐ £ demographic data indicating that Monday Night Football attracts male viewers and the Academy Awards attracts female viewers. Viewers of the baseball World Series are likely to see ads for beer and cars, and viewers of the Academy Awards broadcast (the Oscars) are likely to see ads for clothing and hair care products, due to ⠐ £ baby boomers From a marketing perspective, what separates __________ from the generation before them is that they are individualistic, value leisure time as a high priority, and are trying to maintain their youth. ⠐ £ generation x Marketers selling to the __________ generational cohort need to recognize that these consumers are not too interested in shopping, are cynical, and are less likely to believe advertising claims than the generation(s) before them. ⠐ £ ⠐ £ generation x Julie is an experienced shopper. She has been doing the familys weekly shopping since she was twelve. She is not very interested in status items, and questions advertising claims. Julie is most likely to be in the __________ generational cohort. ⠐ £ ⠐ £ generation x The __________ generational cohort is characterized by the question, Why shop at Neiman Marcus when Kohls and Target are just as good, cheaper, and more convenient? ⠐ £ ⠐ £ generation y Tweens are part of which generational cohort? ⠐ £ greenwashing ABC Company knew that its customers were interested in environmentally friendly business practices, so it began marking all of their products as environmentally friendly because they were made with all natural ingredients, even though ABCs plant was one of the worst polluters in town. The new term for this practice is ⠐ £ income in the United States has become more unevenly distributed. When considering income as a demographic variable affecting marketing efforts, marketers need to recognize that ⠐ £ ⠐ £ creates opportunities to provide value to each group. Astute marketers recognize that the increasing disparity of income between upper- and lower-income groups value ince the late 1970s, most American families have seen their income growth stagnate, with income rising only slightly more than inflation. This has changed many Americans consumers concept of ⠐ £ ⠐ £ useful predictions of purchase behavior. for some products, marketers can combine education level with other data like occupation and income to obtain ⠐ £ ⠐ £ spend their disposable income differently. Marketers know that, compared to high school graduates who are working full time, college students ⠐ £ have been blurred in the past several years. gender roles they speak different languages and come from different cultures. Marketers should not assume that they can target all Asian consumers in the United States with one strategy because approximately 80 percent of all population growth in the next 20 years is expected to come from minority groups. Marketers in the United States are paying increasing attention to ethnic groups because ⠐ £ New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Marketers are more likely to find higher concentrations of foreign-born Americans and recent immigrants in⠐ £ the fastest growing minority population. Though Asian Americans comprise only 3 percent of the U.S. population, they represent ⠐ £ green marketing strategic efforts to supply consumers with environmentally friendly merchandise are called ⠐ £ more green-consumer conscious. Compared to consumers in the United States, Europeans are ⠐ £ ⠐ £ add value that other products do not have. By offering environmentally responsible products, green marketers ⠐ £ ⠐ £ value contributing to a greener environment. Many American consumers are purchasing hybrid automobiles even though they are more expensive and sometimes less fuel efficient when compared to compact conventional autos. These consumers ⠐ £ Honest telemarketers found it easier to reach customers. he U.S. Federal Trade Commission created the Do Not Call Registry to curb problems with unwanted telephone solicitations. Which of the following was NOT one of the results? ⠐ £ his lack of privacy. Recently, Jason, one of the few Americans who has not registered with the Do Not Call Registry, received a call from a marketer suggesting Jason needed additional insurance since he had just become a father and changed jobs. Jason was shocked and very concerned about ⠐ £ grab consumers attention. The many demands on consumers today have made it more difficult for marketers to ⠐ £ ⠐ £ all of these The reality that marketers face consumers who are time poor is illustrated by the fact that ⠐ £ ⠐ £ making their products available whenever and wherever consumers want them. Because Americans are working longer hours without increases in real, disposable income, and are utilizing an army of communication devices to keep up with the demands in their personal and work lives, retailers are ⠐ £ ⠐ £ the time-poor society. David travels a great deal in the course of his business. He has noticed ads in many new places, including fortune cookies, baggage claim conveyor belts, on the sides of buses, etc. Marketers would like to reach David, and are responding to concerns about ⠐ £ ⠐ £ advertising their products heavily on daytime television. Gretchen has a job that requires working late several nights a week. This puts a lot of strain on her to find time to shop and prepare meals for her family. Grocery stores recognize the importance of consumers like Gretchen and have responded in all of the following ways except ⠐ £ meet inventory needs. A recent advance in technology called RFID makes it easier for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to track items through production, distribution, and sales. This advance helps the firm to ⠐ £ ⠐ £ age When marketers monitor the economic situation affecting their target markets, they are likely to monitor changes in all of the following EXCEPT ⠐ £ Mexican products became more expensive while U.S.-made products became comparatively less expensive. In the early 1990s, the inflation rate in Mexico was twice the rate in the United States, but the Mexican monetary authorities kept the peso/dollar exchange rate almost constant. For Mexican consumers ⠐ £ ⠐ £ more Canadian visitors. Every winter, resort managers in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, check the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar. In recent years, the exchange has changed from approximately $0.65 Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar, to approximately equal value of both currencies (i.e., $1 Canadian is worth about the same as $1 U.S.). These resort managers should expect ⠐ £ ⠐ £ increased choices. Laws that prohibit the formation of monopolies or alliances that would damage a competitive marketplace benefit consumers through ⠐ £ ⠐ £ generation z Which of the following groups has never lived without easy access to the Internet and other digital technologies? ⠐ £ ⠐ £ culture Which of these is a macroenvironmental factor? ⠐ £ ⠐ £ green marketing Kimberly-Clark recently introduced rolls of toilet paper without the cardboard core. What social trend does this product respond to? ⠐ £ ⠐ £ generation z The members of the __________ generational cohort tend to share preferences for TV shows and video games with their parents. ⠐ £ generation z the members of the __________ generational cohort were born into a world where the Internet and extensive digital technologies already existed. ⠐ £ creating an advertising campaign to target elementary school children. If McDonalds wanted to change its marketing strategy in response to the social trends outlined in the text, it might consider all of the following ideas EXCEPT ⠐ £ wireless payments from mobile devices. Suppose that you are the vice president of marketing for Target, the large retail store chain. You want to keep your website and in-store services current with technological advances. You would be experimenting with the next expected development in mobile technology, which is ⠐ £ ⠐ £ greenwashing Some companies have been accused of taking advantage of the current social trend of green marketing, positioning their products as environmentally friendly when this may not actually be the case. This is called ⠐ £ ⠐ £ yoga Part of the social trend toward health and wellness is a concern about the increasing degree of obesity in the United States. In addition, trend-watchers are noting the increasing popularity of ⠐ £ legislation and laws The political/regulatory environment comprises political parties, governmental organizations and ⠐ £ ⠐ £ baby boomer baby boomer gen y Which generation is also known as Millennials? ⠐ £ The first generation of latchkey children. Generation X is is known for which of the following characteristics? ⠐ £ $5,800 the poorest 10 percent of the U.S. population earned an average of _______ in 2010. ⠐ £ African American U.S. households are more affluent than previous studies suggested. Which statement about the changing diversity in the United States is TRUE? ⠐ £ privacy concerns Which social trend would lead you to purchase a protection plan against identity theft? ⠐ £ ⠐ £

Mollusk Facts

Mollusk Facts Mollusks may be the most difficult animal group  for the average person to wrap their arms around: this family of  invertebrates  includes creatures as widely divergent in appearance and behavior as snails,  clams, and cuttlefish. Fast Facts: Mollusks Scientific Name: Mollusca (Caudofoveates, Solanogastres, Chitons, Monoplacophorans, Scaphopods, Bivalves, Gastropods, Cephalopods)Common Name: Mollusks or molluscsBasic Animal Group: Invertebrate  Ã‚  Size: Microscopic to 45 feet in lengthWeight: Up to 1,650 poundsLifespan: Hours to centuries- the oldest is known to have lived over 500 yearsDiet:  Mostly herbivore, except for cephalopods who are omnivoresHabitat: Terrestrial and aquatic habitats on every continent and ocean in the worldConservation Status: Several species are threatened or endangered; one is extinct Description Any group that embraces  squids, clams, and slugs present a challenge when it comes to formulating a general description. There are only three characteristics shared by all living mollusks: the presence of a mantle (the rear covering of the body) that secretes calcareous (e.g., calcium-containing) structures; the genitals and anus opening into the mantle cavity; and paired nerve cords. If youre willing to make some exceptions, most mollusks can also be characterized by their broad, muscular feet which correspond to the tentacles of cephalopods, and their shells (if you exclude cephalopods, some gastropods, and the most primitive mollusks). One type of mollusk, the aplacophorans, are cylindrical worms with neither shell nor foot. Getty Images Habitat Most mollusks are marine animals that live in habitats from shallow coastal areas to deep waters. Most stay within the sediments at the bottom of water bodies, although a few- such as cephalopods- are free swimming. Species There are eight different broad categories of mollusks on our planet. Caudofoveates  are small, deep-sea mollusks that burrow into soft bottom sediments. These worm-like animals lack the shells and muscular feet characteristic of other mollusks, and their bodies are covered with scale-like, calcareous spicules.Solanogastres, like caudofoveata, are worm-like mollusks that lack shells. These small, ocean-dwelling animals are mostly blind, and either flattened or cylindrical.Chitons, also known as polyplacophorans, are flat, slug-like mollusks with calcareous plates covering the upper surfaces of their bodies; they live in intertidal waters along rocky coastlines worldwide.Monoplacophorans are deep-sea mollusks equipped with cap-like shells.  They were long believed to be extinct, but in 1952, zoologists discovered a handful of living species.Tusk shells, also known as scaphopods,  have long, cylindrical shells with tentacles extending from one end, which these mollusks use to rope in  prey from the surrounding water.Bivalves are characterized by their hinged shells and live in both marine and freshwater habitats. These mollusks have no heads, and their bodies consist entirely  of a wedge-shaped foot. Gastropods  are  the most diverse family of mollusks,  including over 60,000 species of  snails and slugs that live in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats.  Cephalopods, the most advanced mollusks, include  octopuses, squids, cuttlefish, and nautiluses. Most of the members of this group either lack shells, or have small internal shells. A tusk shell. Getty Images Gastropods or Bivalves Of the roughly 100,000 known mollusk species, about 70,000 are gastropods, and 20,000 are bivalves or 90 percent of the total. It is from these two families that most people derive their general perception of mollusks as small, slimy creatures equipped with calcareous shells. While the snails and slugs of the gastropod family are eaten the world over (including as escargot in a French restaurant), bivalves are more important as a human food source, including clams, mussels, oysters, and other undersea delicacies. The largest bivalve is the giant clam (Tridacna gigas), which reaches a length of four feet and weighs 500 pounds. The oldest mollusk is a bivalve, the ocean quahog (Arctica islandica), native to the northern Atlantic and known to live at least 500 years; it is also the oldest known animal. Bright yellow banana slug. Alice Cahill/Getty Images Octopuses, Squids, and Cuttlefish Gastropods and bivalves may be the most common mollusks, but cephalopods (the family that includes octopuses, squids, and cuttlefish) are by far the most advanced. These marine invertebrates have astonishingly complex nervous systems, which allows them to engage in elaborate camouflage and even display problem-solving behavior- for example, octopuses have been known to escape from their tanks in laboratories, squish along the cold floor, and climb up into another tank containing tasty bivalves. If human beings ever go extinct, it may well be the distant, intelligent descendants of octopuses that wind up ruling the earth- or at least the oceans! The largest mollusk in the world is a cephalopod, the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), known to grow to between 39 and 45 feet and weigh up to 1,650 pounds.   548901005677/Getty Images Diet With the exception of cephalopods, mollusks are by and large gentle vegetarians. Terrestrial gastropods like snails and slugs eat plants, fungi, and algae, while the vast majority of marine mollusks (including bivalves and other ocean-dwelling species) subsist on plant matter dissolved in the water, which they ingest by filter feeding. The most advanced cephalopod mollusks- octopuses, squids, and cuttlefish- feast on everything from fish to crabs to their fellow invertebrates; octopuses, in particular, have gruesome table manners, injecting their soft-bodied prey with venom or drilling holes in the shells of bivalves and sucking out their tasty contents. Behavior The nervous systems of invertebrates in general (and mollusks in particular) are very different from those of vertebrate animals like fish, birds, and mammals. Some mollusks, like tusk shells and bivalves, possess clusters of neurons (called ganglions) rather than true brains, while the brains of more advanced mollusks like cephalopods and gastropods are wrapped around their esophagi rather than isolated in hard skulls. Even more weirdly, most of the neurons of an octopus are located not in its brains, but in its arms, which can function autonomously even when separated from its body. The mouth of a limpet. Getty Images Reproduction and Offspring Mollusks generally reproduce sexually, although some (slugs and snails) are hermaphrodites, they still must mate to fertilize their eggs. Eggs are laid singly or in groups within jelly masses or leathery capsules. The eggs hatch into veliger larva- small, free-swimming larvae- and metamorphose into different stages, depending on the species.   Evolutionary History Because modern mollusks vary so widely in anatomy and behavior, sorting out their exact evolutionary relationships is a major challenge. In order to simplify matters, naturalists have proposed a hypothetical ancestral mollusk that displays most, if not all, of the characteristics of modern mollusks, including a shell, a muscular foot, and tentacles, among other things. We dont have any fossil evidence that this particular animal ever existed; the most any expert will venture is that mollusks descended hundreds of millions of years ago from tiny marine invertebrates known as lophotrochozoans (and even that is a matter of dispute). Extinct Fossil Families Examining the fossil evidence, paleontologists have established the existence of two now-extinct classes of mollusk. Rostroconchians lived in the worlds oceans from about 530 to 250 million years ago, and seem to have been ancestral to modern bivalves; helcionelloidans lived from about 530 to 410 million years ago, and shared many characteristics with modern gastropods. Somewhat surprisingly, cephalopods have existed on earth ever since the Cambrian period; paleontologists have identified over two dozen (much smaller and much less intelligent) genera that plied the worlds oceans over 500 million years ago. Mollusks and Humans Wayne Barrett Anne MacKay / Getty Images Over and above their historical importance as a food source- especially in the far east and the Mediterranean- mollusks have contributed in numerous ways to human civilization. The shells of cowries (a type of small gastropod) were used as money by Native Americans, and the pearls that grow in oysters, as the result of irritation by sand grains, have been treasured since time immemorial. Another type of gastropod, the murex, was cultured by the  ancient Greeks for its  dye, known as imperial purple, and the cloaks of some rulers were woven from long threads secreted by the bivalve species Pinna nobilis. Conservation Status There are over 8,600 species listed in the ICUN, of which 161 are considered Critically Endangered, 140 are Endangered, 86 are Vulnerable, and 57 are Near Threatened. One, the Ohridohauffenia drimica was last seen in 1983 in springs feeding the River Drim in Macedonia, Greece and was listed as extinct in 1996. Additional surveys have failed to find it again. Threats The vast majority of mollusks live in the deep ocean and are relatively safe from the  destruction of their habitat and depredation by humans, but thats not the case for freshwater mollusks (i.e., those that live in lakes and rivers) and terrestrial (land-dwelling) species. Perhaps not surprisingly from the perspective of human gardeners, snails and slugs are most vulnerable to extinction today, as they are systematically eradicated by agriculture concerns and picked off by invasive species carelessly introduced into their habitats. Just imagine how easily the average house cat, used to picking off skittering mice, can devastate a near-motionless colony of snails. Lakes and rivers are also prone to the introduction of invasive species, particularly mollusks which travel attached to international seagoing ships. Sources Sturm, Charles F., Timothy A. Pearce, ngel Valdà ©s (eds.). The Mollusks: A Guide to Their Study, Collection, and Preservation. Boca Raton: Universal Publishers for the American Malacological Society, 2006.  Fyodorov, Averkii, and Havrila Yakovlev. Mollusks: Morphology, Behavior, and Ecology. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2012. Mollusk Facts Mollusks (Mollusca) is a taxonomic phylum that contains a diverse array of organisms, including snails, sea slugs, octopuses, squid, and bivalves such as clams, mussels, and oysters. Between 50,000 and 200,000 species are estimated to belong to this phylum. Imagine the obvious differences between an octopus and a clam, and youll get an idea of the diversity among mollusks. Fast Facts: Mollusks Scientific Name: Mollusca: Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Cephalopoda, Monoplacophora, Scaphopoda, Aplacophora, PolyplacophoraCommon Names: Snails, sea slugs, octopuses, squid, and bivalvesBasic Animal Group: InvertebrateSize: Varies from 0.04 inch (solenogasters and gastropods) to 4 feet (giant clam)  Lifespan: 3 years to over 500Diet:  Carnivore or herbivoreHabitat: Oceans and coastal waterways worldwidePopulation: UnknownConservation Status: Most are classified as Least Concern; mollusks make up nearly one-fourth of all marine animals on Earth.   Description Mollusks have a shell and soft body and usually have a distinguishable head and foot region. Some may have a hard covering, or exoskeleton. Mollusks also have a heart that pumps blood through their blood vessels, digestive system, and a nervous system. In addition to a shell, most mollusks have a muscular foot for creeping or burrowing, and some have a head with sense organs. Their soft body includes lungs or gills for breathing and digestive and reproductive parts. These are surrounded by a skin-like organ called the mantle. Mollusks also have bilateral symmetry- one side is a mirror image of the other- and can have one or two shells. Their organs are in a fluid-filled cavity; indeed, the very word mollusk in Latin means soft. The upper body, or the mantle, is a thin, muscular sheet that covers the internal organs. Most mollusks, particularly those with shells, also have gills in the central part of their body cavity. Despite looking fragile, mollusk shells are quite hard. Scientists are even studying nacre, a material found in mollusk shells, to develop materials that are stronger and lighter than steel. Puneet Vikram Singh, Nature and Concept photographer/Getty Images Habitat and Distribution Mollusks- snails, sea slugs, octopuses, squid, and bivalves- are found in habitats ranging from freshwater lakes and rivers to shallow coastal waters to the deepest parts of the oceans, worldwide. Most live in the bottom sediments, though cephalopods are primarily free-swimming species; some snails and clams are terrestrial. Species Mollusks belong to the kingdom Animalia and there are tens of thousands of invertebrates that fit into the Mollusca phylum. New ones are still being discovered, and researchers continue to modify the number and grouping classifications. One common schema used by researchers includes seven classes: Gastropoda (snails and slugs)  Bivalvia (clams, scallops, oysters, mussels)  Cephalopoda (squid, octopi, nautilus)Monoplacophora (limpets)  Scaphopoda (tusk shells)  Aplacophora (shell-less, worm-like animals)  Polyplacophora (chitons)  Ã‚   Diet and Behavior Many mollusks feed using a radula, essentially a series of teeth on a cartilage base. The radula can be used for complex tasks, from grazing on marine algae or drilling a hole in another animals shell. The radula scrapes tiny plants and animals off rocks or tears food into chunks. The adoption of different feeding habits appears to have had a major influence on molluscan evolution, according to the University of California Museum of Paleontology: The change from grazing to other forms of food acquisition is one of the major features in the radiation of the group. Based on our current understanding of relationships, the earliest mollusks grazed on encrusting animals and detritus. Since mollusks are such a wide-ranging phylum, its helpful to look at how one of the organisms that belong to this group feeds and how it captures its prey. Consider the deadly blue-ringed octopus. This mollusk hunts small crabs and shrimp during the day, but it will eat bivalves and small fish if it can catch them. The octopus pounces upon its prey, using its tentacles to pull its catch toward its mouth. Then, its beak pierces the crustaceans exoskeleton and delivers the paralyzing venom. The venom is produced by bacteria in octopus saliva, a combination of tetrodotoxin, histamine, taurine, octopamine, acetylcholine, and dopamine. Once the prey is immobilized, this mollusk uses its beak to tear off chunks of the animal to eat. The saliva also contains enzymes that partially digest flesh, so that the octopus can suck it out of the shell. The blue-ringed octopus is immune to its own venom. Reproduction and Offspring Some mollusks have separate genders, with males and females represented in the species. Others are hermaphroditic, which means they have both male and female reproductive organs. The mollusk life cycle varies greatly among different classes of mollusks and among species within classifications. Squids reproduce sexually: The females lay fertilized eggs in the water which hatch into larvae and then develop on their own. Octopuses do the same, except the females carry the eggs with her until they hatch. Clams, mussels, and oysters produce larvae that drop through the sea water and attach to a host to grow to maturity on. The hosts are usually fish, but oysters prefer the shell of an adult oyster. Land snails are hermaphrodites that mate and both partners produce fertilized eggs. The eggs are deposited in the soil; they hatch with a shell but most consume calcium to make it harden.   Mollusks and Humans The primary use that humans have for mollusks and the rest of ocean-living animals is their ability to filter large quantities of water, up to 10 gallons each. Mollusks are also important to humans as a food source- especially in the Far East and the Mediterranean- and have contributed in numerous ways to human civilization. The shells of cowries (a type of small mollusk that belongs to the gastropod family) were used as money by Native Americans, and the pearls that grow in oysters, as the result of irritation by sand grains, have been treasured for centuries. Another type of mollusk, the murex, was cultured by the  ancient Greeks for its  dye, known as imperial purple, and the cloaks of some rulers were woven from long threads secreted by the bivalve species (twin-shelled mollusks)  called Pinna nobilis. Culturing Tahitian pearls. CampPhoto/Getty Images Conservation Status Over 8,600 molluscs are listed in the IUCN Red List, most classified as Least Concern or Data Deficient, although many are threatened or endangered. The phylum represents nearly one-fourth of all the species on the planet. Threats Increasing levels of carbon dioxide are raising the pH level of the worlds oceans, which in turn, increases the acidity of these bodies of water. This greatly weakens mollusks otherwise strong shells and even makes it difficult for them to produce shells in the first place, threatening their survival. If mollusks begin to die out in mass, then fish and other animals that feed off of them may suffer. Northeastern University marine biologist Brian Helmuth gives the example of the common mussel, a member of the family of bivalve mollusks. In addition to the problem of increased acidity in the oceans, which, as noted, makes it harder for these mollusks to produce shells, the increasing temperatures of the oceans and even the sand and air on the surrounding beaches can mean a death sentence for mussels. â€Å"You are sitting there in the blazing sun, you’re not going to be able to move,† Helmuth says. â€Å"You can’t escape the heat, you can’t escape the sun, you can’t go into a crevice like ... a crab.† Mussels can literally start to cook on the rocks if they get too hot. Helmuth adds that global warming is shrinking the habitat in which mussels and other mollusks can live. And since mollusks are such an integral part of the food chain, that could eventually affect many other animals that depend on them for sustenance. Sources Beeler, Carolyn. To Understand Climate Change, Look at it From a Mussels Perspective. PRIs The World, April 25, 2017.Martinez, Andrew J. Marine Life of the North Atlantic. Aqua Quest Publications, Inc.: New York, 2003.The Mollusca. University of California Museum of Paleontology.â€Å"Molluscs.†Ã‚  Biology Education.Mollusks. Factmonster.Phylum: Mollusks. Mollusk Science.Salvini-Plawen, Luitfried. â€Å"Mollusk.†Ã‚  Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Inc., 13 Apr. 2018,

Conducting training sessions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Conducting training sessions - Essay Example Task D (printing of handout copies), will only commence after training materials (task B) shall have been developed, hence it depends on task B. At the same time, task E (developing PowerPoint slides) also depends on task B, hence, will only commence after task B is completed. However, task D and E are concurrent since they can take place or commence at the same time. After developing PowerPoint slides (task D), one can go ahead to conduct a practice training session (task F). However, task F cannot be carried out before task D, hence task F is dependent on task D. Lastly, to conduct user training sessions (task G), task C (confirming of arrangement of training facility), task D (printing of handout copies) and task F (conducting practice training sessions) must have been completed. It means therefore that, task G is dependent on task C, task D and task F. The critical path therefore is when the project comes from task A to C to G. this is the longest path that the project can take to a successful completion. It will take a total of 15 days for the training session to come from the start all through to completion. However, the project can take other alternative shorter routes like go through rout 1 and 2 above which take 11 days and 13 days

Benefits of Hodges University Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Benefits of Hodges University - Essay Example Communication can be defined as the process of transmitting ideas verbally, nonverbally, and through the use of technology. Communication is very important, particularly for those who are aspiring to build a career in the field of education. In the course of my studies at the University, I learned the ways and significance of organizing thoughts. Communication must involve description, examples, reasons, and/or research to support assertions. Otherwise, the audience may be misled, which can be extremely dangerous in the teaching profession. Appropriate sentence structure and word selection are crucial since these linguistic skills would ultimately help me to express my ideas and interpretations. Also, the training imparted on using the software tools, electronic media, etc. would help me to increase interactivity during communication, especially while delivering a speech or writing an essay.Critical thinking involves thoughtful judgment, reflective decision making, application of rea sons, and drawing conclusions. Analysis and logic are the pillars of critical thinking. The University curriculum provided me with crucial articulation skills and knowledge in search strategies. It also helped me to learn how to interpret and analyze relationships, concepts, and facts on the basis of evidence and data. I learned how to clarify that whether I support, oppose, or remain neutral regarding a topic or belief. Also, I learned how to consider different viewpoints in the course of eliminating contradictions.

Abraham Lincolns second inaugural address Essay Example for Free

Abraham Lincolns second inaugural address Essay At the time of Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, which was delivered in March 1865, the country had (long) been looking forward to the end of the Civil War. Lincoln’s second address is shorter than the first one because according to him there was no need for a long address because of the union’s current political situation. Compared to the first address, Lincoln is using many different kinds of rhetorical strategies like religious allusions, parallel structure, as well as diction in order to reunite a broken nation and make them feel united again, which I’m going to focus on in the following. Lincoln starts with the words â€Å"Fellow countrymen†, which shows that he sees himself on the same level as the other citizens, and not only their president. He also wants to emphasize that he pursues the same interests as everyone should: to stop the war. Lincoln often uses the rhetorical method of allusion, focusing on God and the Bible to reunite the country, the North and the South, by stating that they all have the same faith. In his second inaugural speech, Lincoln says, â€Å"Each looks for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces, but let us judge not, that we are not judged.† In this paragraph Lincoln is quoting the Bible, which is very smart and effective of Lincoln to use religious allusions like the ones stated above; Therefore, a lot of people can relate. He also wanted to point out that they should all be on the same side and not fight against each other. The main reason why the Civil War started was that the North and the South ha At the time of Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, which was delivered in March 1865, the country had (long) been looking forward to the end of the Civil War. Lincoln’s second address is shorter than the first one because according to him there was no need for a long address because of the union’s current political situation. Compared to the first address, Lincoln is using many different kinds of rhetorical strategies like religious allusions, parallel structure, as well as diction in order to reunite a broken nation and make them feel united again, which I’m going to focus on in the following. Lincoln starts with the words â€Å"Fellow countrymen†, which shows that he sees himself on the same level as the other citizens, and not only their president. He also wants to emphasize that he pursues the same interests as everyone should: to stop the war. Lincoln often uses the rhetorical method of allusion, focusing on God and the Bible to reunite the country, the North and the South, by stating that they all have the same faith. In his second inaugural speech, Lincoln says, â€Å"Each looks for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces, but let us judge not, that we are not judged.† In this paragraph Lincoln is quoting the Bible, which is very smart and effective of Lincoln to use religious allusions like the ones stated above; Therefore, a lot of people can relate. He also wanted to point out that they should all be on the same side and not fight against each other. The usage of the word â€Å"both†, as in the quote above, often occurs during his speech, which is an example of how he uses his diction in order to try to connect the people and create a feeling of unity. The main reason why the Civil War started was that the North and the South had two different opinions on slavery. When Lincoln delivered his second address, this issue (was put in the background) but the two parties were still fighting. Lincoln also states, â€Å"†¦Let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This statement is also an allusion to the Bible, which he is using to impact the people to help bring the nation back together. Lincoln is mentioning the pronouns â€Å"us† and â€Å"we†, to point out that it is about time to reunite the country, combining the North and the South. The word â€Å"work† implies Lincoln’s recognition of the sheer diligence, effort, and commitment needed to finish the war, but it also implies that he does not glorify the war. Neither does he speak of magnificent triumphs nor does he threaten the South with punishment. Instead, he speaks with moderation and modest y. Another example of an allusion is at the beginning of the speech when Lincoln says, â€Å"All dreaded it, all sought to avert it.† He is trying to treat both parties equally by saying â€Å"all† and not mentioning just the North or just the South. Nobody wanted a war, and nobody was fairly prepared for one but after so many years of fighting, losses, tears, and deaths they now have to come together to fix the â€Å"broken nation† and make peace again. Lincoln also concludes: â€Å"Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman\s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said ‘the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.’\. Relating to this quote one can tell that Lincoln is not very fond of the war, but his faith in God and religion are very clear to see. â€Å"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations.† These lines show Lincolns religious character in various ways. â€Å"With malice toward none† implies that he is willing to forgive the South and to recreate the Union with them without judging. â€Å"[W]with charity for all† implies his willingness to love everyone as Christians are taught to love according to the Bible; and â€Å"with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right† This passage shows that Lincoln is a man of the law, but that through God the people are able to see what is right and what is wrong. It is clear to see that Lincoln does not s eparate the nation into the North and the South, not even when he mentions the fallen soldiers and their grieving families. To Lincoln it does not make a difference which party one belongs to but that every single citizen finds their own peace and most importantly that the nation finds its peace as one. The main goal in his first address was to keep the nation together and to prevent the upcoming Civil War. In contrast to the second address, Lincoln then stated very clearly that the fate of the Union lies in the hands of the South and only they can prevent the Civil War: â€Å"In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The Government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors. You have no oath registered in heaven to destroy the Government, while I shall have the most solemn one to ‘preserve, protect, and defend it.’† He is calling the South themselves â€Å"the aggressors† and is separating himself and his union from the others, unlike his second address, in which he only uses the pronouns â€Å"us† and â€Å"we†, creating a unified feeling. d two different opinions on slavery. When Lincoln delivered his second address, this issue (was put in the background) but the two parties were still fighting. Lincoln also states, â€Å"†¦Let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This statement is also an allusion to the Bible, which he is using to impact the people to help bring the nation back together. Lincoln is mentioning the pronouns â€Å"us† and â€Å"we†, to point out that it is about time to reunite the country, combining the North and the South. The word â€Å"work† implies Lincoln’s recognition of the sheer diligence, effort, and commitment needed to finish the war, but it also implies that he does not glorify the war. Neither does he speak of magnificent triumphs nor does the threat the South with punishment. Instead, he speaks with moderation and modesty. Lincoln also expresses his compassion, his special concern for the soldiers and his thoughtfulness, as well as condolences towards the suffering families. This shows that he is a man of peace who is also a man committed to justice.

Ability to Meditate in The Wanderer Essay -- Wanderer thinking Poem Es

Ability to Meditate in The Wanderer Human beings stand alone in the ability to meditate; to think about one’s own thinking. While humans view this as a positive aspect or even a dominant trait of their own species, this same ability can lead the thinker down a dark and depressing path. Found in the Exeter Book of Old English poetry, â€Å"The Wanderer† displays how this same ability that allows humans to grasp meaning and reason, feel a purpose and use their imaginations can also resurface memories of sadness as well as remind one of better times. In a world of overpopulation and crowds the idea of solitude is foreign. Many people take â€Å"retreats† or trips to escape and find peace with themselves. However, these same people usually return to civilization and to familiar faces. The Wanderer in the lyric poem does not have this luxury; he is alone and will never see his kinsmen’s faces again. It is not just seeing these friends, however, that pains the Wanderer the most: â€Å"There is now none among the living to whom I dare clearly express the thought of my heart.† Being able to...

Advice about cheating situation Essay

I would like to thank you for your letter and would like to commend you for stepping out and trying to ask for help with your problem. Marriage is a complicated thing but is very rewarding, especially when the two persons involved try their best to work the whole relationship to the best of their abilities. However, is it not unknown to many of us that there are just some relationships and marriages that do not work because of different reasons. As for your case regarding your sister and brother-in-law’s relationship, unhappiness is the main cause of trouble. It is unfortunate that your sister resorted to cheating because there could have been many things she could have done about the situation without having to commit any sins. It is also very unfortunate for you because you know what is happening and is torn between doing the right thing and protecting your sister. The best thing that you can do here is to offer advice to her. You cannot dictate what she should do with her life and relationships but you are entitled to your opinion and this is what you should give to your sister. It is also important to note that you cannot force your sister to do something that you think she should be doing because she should make the decision herself. What you can offer is a good advice, as well as support and guidance whatever decision she decides to make because this is her life. Ultimately, she would be the one suffering the consequences of her decisions but in the end, you can say that you did not lack in giving the support that she needed. As mentioned above, there are many ways as to how she could have handled her unhappiness with her husband aside from cheating and you, as her sister, can offer the following advices to her. You have to remember that she may or may not follow your advices and may or may not agree with your opinions but the important thing is you did your part and it is up to her to make the right decision. The first advice that you can give her is to end the affair with her coworker. This is the most obvious option that she could do to end all the drama in her life, as well as to clean your conscience. In the first place, she should not be having this rendezvous with her coworker or any other person for that matter simply because she already has a family of her own that she should be taking care of. This is the oath that she took when she married her husband and should be keeping it because she wants the marriage to last. She should also keep in mind her children who are very young and may not understand the situation. Maybe if she tried hard enough and not dwell on her sadness and loneliness, she can make the marriage work along with her husband who seems to be devoted to her and the whole family. The second option that she has is to divorce her husband to live with the coworker that she is having an affair with. This would solve all problems and she could live freely without hiding anything from anybody. However, divorce might be hard because of the two children and the thought that she, the woman, is leaving her husband and family for another man. Still, concern for the children is not reason enough not to divorce. It is better to live in honesty than to let your kids see that you are unhappy because this might affect their growing up. While some people may think that it is selfish for your sister to leave her whole family and be with the person that she thinks she will be happy with, it is better to have a divorce rather than live in a lie and have a negative effect on the people around you.   Another thing that your sister can do is to go to a marriage counselor with her husband. This would allow her to determine the cause of her unhappiness with her husband and the whole family. Going to a marriage counselor can help lessen the chances of the marriage ending in divorce. It would also help the couple talk about their differences and what could be done to improve the status of their relationship. Having a professional mediate them can give them a chance to hear a neutral side regarding their relationship and might help them see each other in a different light. This should be done with the young children in thought and how hard it must be for them to see their parents not happy with each other. The couple try for the sake of their kids because their children look up to them and it is important for them to have a normal childhood. The last option that you could give to your sister is for her to admit the affair to her husband and let her husband decide what should be done next. This is because your sister does not want to leave the family and leaving the decision to her husband might make things easier for her. However, it is not guaranteed that the husband will decide to leave the family once he learns the truth. It might be that he wants to work things out and ask your sister to give up the affair and go to counselor with him. Whatever her decision may be, you should remind her that she should go for the one that would make her happy not only for the present time but also in the future. She might be feeling happy at this time because of the excitement that the affair is bringing, but in the long run, it might not be what she wants and it might be too late to change her mind. She should also keep in mind her children because as their mother, she has a responsibility to them. If she decides to leave them and divorce your brother-in-law, she has to make sure that her kids do not feel abandoned and unloved. She should also make sure that she has the right resources to provide support for her kids in case her husband decides to leave her upon learning about the affair. She is faced with a hard decision but she has to decide now and be the one to tell her husband. The truth will hurt but it will hurt even more for the husband if he learned it from somebody else. To answer your question, I believe that you have no right in telling your brother-in-law that her wife, your sister, is having an affair with another person because you are not involved in the relationship no matter how close you are to them. The most that you can do is to talk to your sister and try to shed some common sense in her so that she becomes aware of the situation that she is presenting to both you and the whole family. Instead, you should be a good sibling and give the advice that you think is proper for her to make. You should give her sometime to think about things and what she truly wants in her life. Remember that this is not an overnight turn of events. It will take some time and the outcome will depend on what she decides to do. Your loyalty is to yourself and the whole family. Although it is obvious that you should be taking the side of your brother-in-law, we are still not sure as to why your sister became unhappy with the relationship in the first place. We cannot judge her just because she presents to be the â€Å"sinful† one in the situation. Like many other situations, numerous factors can contribute to her decision to have an affair and unhappiness might only be a small part of it. Cheating, for most couples, is a very grave sin and can cause for breakups and separations. It will not be a surprise, then, if the husband decides to leave his family. Remember that this is a guy and that his ego plays a major part in his decisions. It might be hard for him to accept that his wife cheated on him. Whatever happens, you must remember that you should be there for the both of them to give support in their respective decisions. This is the only way that you can show that you care for them both.

Annotated Bibliography for Childhood Obesity Essay

Child obesity became a very serious issue that is taking on the health of the nation’s children. It is everyone responsibility to work on preventing and reducing childhood obesity, from the parents who are suppose to care about their children’s health, to the public health representatives, who should care about a future healthy nation, and everyone in between. Every part of society should create a set of lifestyle changes in order to save our kids from obesity. There are many aspects, which have to be changed or improved, including parent’s nutrition education, children’s physical activity and kid’s nutrition in a school and home, food industry and etc. Wiley, L. F. (2013). â€Å"No Body Left Behind†: Re-Orienting School-Based Childhood Obesity Interventions. Duke Forum For Law & Social Change (DFLSC), 597-128. The article discuses the school intervention in childhood obesity. It suggests that school would be required to provide a minimum number of minutes of physical education every week. It is very important to make those classes accessible, enjoyable and stimulating for kids. The article also mentions that school lunches with a lot of fruits and vegetables are part of health promotion. It adds that many intervention in this sphere are already exist, but they need improvements, because statistic don’t show any result at this time. My assignment: The article indicates on moderating intervention on obesity in the school system. This idea can be used to support the argument that the school system is a important part of children’s environment and should create a set of changes to reduce obesity among this country’s young  generation. I believe this as one of the true aspects that society should concentrate and improve on. Murtagh L, Ludwig, DS. State intervention in life-threatening childhood obesity. JAMA 2011; 306(2): 206-207. This article is posing a solution offer from Murtagh and Ludwig on obesity in children. They suggest removing a specific subset of obese children away from their parents and placing them foster care as a remedy for their obesity on a state’s law base. Dr. Ludwig and Murtagh assume that this action would change the direction of the child’s obesity by providing an opportunity be exposed to healthy nutrition and reasonable activity level for some period of time. At the same time, the information on how to manage children’s weight would provided to parents of those children. The article further states that â€Å"under most existing child protective services laws, multiple less intrusive interventions such as in-home social supports, parenting training, counseling, and financial assistance, that may address underlying problems without resorting to removal of a child†. †¨ My assessment: I think â€Å"less intrusive interventions† is better idea then removing a child from a family. The last one is an unnecessary action, and may be even damaging for children’s psyche. I don’t defend parents, I also think that parental role is important in children’s obesity issues. I agree that parents should get educated on how to provide healthy nutrition and reasonable activity level for their children. This article would support the idea in my paper that parents are also an important part of society that should be involved in a process of preventing and reducing childhood obesity. Koplan, J., Liverman, C. T., Kraak, V. I., & Institute of Medicine, (U.S.). (2005). Preventing Childhood Obesity : Health in the Balance. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.(p. 153-154) One chapter of this book tells us about how the food industry’s advertising and media affect children’s obesity and what changes have to be done to  shift its affect to the healthier side. The author of this book says that prevention of obesity in children should be a national health priority. All these recreational industries ( food, beverage, restaurant, entertainment) should share in the responsibilities for childhood obesity prevention and be instrumental in supporting this goal. For example, leaders of food industry could make changes to expand healthier options (reduce portion-size, reduce sugar amount in meals and etc.). Media should advocate healthy lifestyle . According to their studies it already stated changing , it has to continue going this direction. The chapter stays idea that all those industries should prevent obesity in children by developing and promoting products, opportunities and information that would encourage healthful eating behavior and regu lar physical activity. My assessment: This book will be used to underscore the idea in my paper that coordinated efforts among the recreational industries, government, and other groups would make easier to create, support, and sustain customer’s demand for â€Å"healthful food and beverage products, appropriately portioned meals, and accurate and consistent nutritional information through food labels, health claims, and other educational sources.† (Koplan, J., Liverman, C. T., Kraak, V. I., 2005, p.153). The book will be used in the sections where food industry and advertising could change their marketing toward healthy choices to help reducing and preventing obesity. Caroli, M., Argentieri, L., & Masi, A. Role Of Television In Childhood Obesity Prevention. International Journal of Obesity, 28, S104-S108. Retrieved June 1, 2014, from http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v28/n3s/full/0802802a.html – aff1 This article is about the role of television in children’s obesity. Authors of the article say that children started watching more television then it was twenty-thirty years ago. Obviously it leads to inactivity and as a result to obesity. Furthermore, the article main point is television as a popular tool among children could be used for spreading correct information on good nutrient and obesity prevention. Authors mention that usually depiction of food in television has many negative consequences on food  habits. In many cases, characters from movies or cartoons eat unhealthy food and provide bad examples to follow. The article supports its idea with studies. My assessment: I will use this article along with other information, when I write about media and advertising effects on childhood obesity. I agree with this idea. I think it is hard to fight food industry or technology market, but society can try to shift it to healthier side at least. Government and policymakers as power layer of society could help to change the situation. Wilson, D. Prevention in Obesity is Part of Childbirth Education. International Journal of Childbirth Education, 29, 4. Retrieved June 1, 2014, from http://www.icea.org/sites/default/files/April%202014%20Final.pdf In this article Debra Wilson tells that prevention of obesity should start from childbirth. She points that women who are overweight during pregnancy have higher risk to give a birth to a baby who would become obese. Many factors could lead to obesity for a baby that depends on mother’s responsibilities, such as maternal smoking, short-term or long-term breastfeeding and etc. In addition, she notes that parents are the ones, who provide food to children and teach them eating habits; they are fully responsible for children’s health. The author concludes that it is much easier and cheaper try to prevent obesity from the beginning, that’s why childbirth educators can help with this. My assignment: This article will be used when I present how childhood obesity can be prevented. Further more, it shows how important the roles of parents are in obesity prevention. I will add this part as support for my point that every layer in society can be apart of changing the nations statistics on child obesity.

Dental Fillings and Mercury Poison essays

Dental Fillings and Mercury Poison essays When you go to the dentist to get a cavity filled, the dentist will usually use an amalgam filling. The reason most dentists use this and do not give you an option is because they are very much cheaper than your other choices. Theses amalgam fillings may be cheaper but they can really cause you some health problems. In most, but not all cases the mercury in the fillings will leach into your body and cause major problems. In my case, they were causing me to have seizures. After the mercury was removed from my body, my seizures ended, and my overall health was better. I was not tired or moody as I was before. I feel like a whole new person. Many of people have come to me and said that they could tell on my face and the way I talk that I have changed. Many studies are being done to see what all health problems the amalgam fillings are causing. A study done in Canada states that "the dental mercury released by amalgam dental fillings did, in fact, present a health risk, and a tolerable daily intake (TDI) was recommended to be .014 micrograms of mercury per kilogram of body weight per day." The report also recommended limits to the number of fillings a person should have; 1 filling in toddlers, one filling in children, three fillings in teens and four fillings in adults and seniors. The mercury that is swallowed with saliva can be as much as hundreds of micrograms per day for individuals with a large number of amalgam fillings. A study was done on sheep, pregnant ewes, and their unborn babies, by the University Of Calgary School Of Medicine. They placed amalgam fillings in the chewing surface of molar teeth and traced into body tissue. They found within two days that mercury was found in the maternal blood, amniotic fluid, and fetal blood. Mercury was also found in the tissues of the mothers and babies. The levels of mercury in the tissue continued to rise throughout the study. A study done on pregnant monkeys found to have the ea...

Analogy vs. Homology - Theory of Evolution

Analogy vs. Homology - Theory of Evolution There are many types of evidence that support the Theory of Evolution. These pieces of evidence range from the minute molecular level of DNA similarities all the way up through similarities within the anatomical structure of organisms. When Charles Darwin first proposed his idea of natural selection, he used mostly evidence based on anatomical features of organisms he studied. Two different ways these similarities in anatomical structures can be classified is as either analogous structures or homologous structures. While both of these categories have to do with how similar body parts of different organisms are used and structured, only one is actually an indication of a common ancestor somewhere in the past. Analogy Analogy, or analogous structures, is actually the one that does not indicate there is a recent common ancestor between two organisms. Even though the anatomical structures being studied look similar and maybe even perform the same functions, they are actually a product of convergent evolution. Just because they look and act alike does not mean they are related closely on the tree of life. Convergent evolution is when two unrelated species undergo several changes and adaptations to become more similar. Usually, these two species live in similar climates and environments in different parts of the world that favor the same adaptations. The analogous features then help that species survive in the environment. One example of analogous structures is the wings of bats, flying insects, and birds. All three organisms use their wings to fly, but bats are actually mammals and not related to birds or flying insects. In fact, birds are more closely related to dinosaurs than they are to bats or flying insects. Birds, flying insects, and bats all adapted to their niches in their environments by developing wings. However, their wings are not indicative of a close evolutionary relationship. Another example is the fins on a shark and a dolphin. Sharks are classified within the fish family while dolphins are mammals. However, both live in similar environments in the ocean where fins are favorable adaptations for animals that need to swim and move in the water. If they are traced back far enough on the tree of life, eventually there will be a common ancestor for the two, but it would not be considered a recent common ancestor and therefore the fins of a shark and a dolphin are considered to be analogous structures. Homology The other classification of similar anatomical structures is called homology. In homology, the homologous structures did, in fact, evolve from a recent common ancestor. Organisms with homologous structures are more closely related to each other on the tree of life than those with analogous structures. However, they are still closely related to a recent common ancestor and have most likely undergone divergent evolution. Divergent evolution is where closely related species become less similar in structure and function due to the adaptations they acquire during the natural selection process. Migration to new climates, competition for niches with other species, and even microevolutionary changes like DNA mutations can contribute to divergent evolution. An example of homology is the tailbone in humans with the tails of cats and dogs. While our coccyx or tailbone has become a vestigial structure, cats and dogs still have their tails intact. We may no longer have a visible tail, but the structure of the coccyx and the supporting bones are very similar to the tailbones of our household pets. Plants can also have homology. The prickly spines on a cactus and the leaves on an oak tree look very dissimilar, but they are actually homologous structures. They even have very different functions. While cactus spines are primarily for protection and to prevent water loss in its hot and dry environment, the oak tree does not have those adaptations. Both structures do contribute to photosynthesis of their respective plants, however, so not all of the most recent common ancestor’s functions have been lost. Oftentimes, organisms with homologous structures actually look very different from each other when compared to how close some species with analogous structures look to each other.

Growth Hormone in Psychological Processes Research Paper - 6

Growth Hormone in Psychological Processes - Research Paper Example Excessive production of growth hormone gets caused by the growth of a benign tumor in the somatotroph cells. This condition gets referred to an adenoma. A tumor of the islets of Langerhans or the lung which produce Growth hormone-releasing hormone can also stimulate excessive production of growth hormone. The growth hormone interacts with insulin through the IGF axis. The liver secretes insulin like growth factor 1- IGF-1, in response to secretion of the growth hormone (Juul & Jens, 2000). The IGF axis interaction is vital in the inhibition of cell death and promoting cell proliferation. IGF-1 is necessary for achieving maximal growth. Gigantism can get more complicated to treat than dwarfism. This is so because some forms of dwarfism get caused by insufficient production of growth hormone. These forms of dwarfism can become rectified by providing the patient with growth hormone (Artwelle & Vislon, 2008). Gigantism, however, results from the overproduction of growth hormone. This can become hard to correct as it is more difficult to place the excess growth hormone in the required normal range. The metabolic rates in a giant also become hyper abnormal, this contributes to a less life expectancy for giants. The pituitary gland gets located in the brain. It is divided into the anterior and posterior lobe. The pituitary gland secretes prolactin hormone, which stimulates the production of breast milk and the control of menstrual periods (Ho, 2011). Prolactin activates the mammary glands to generate milk. During pregnancy, prolactin concentrations rise causing enlargement of the mammary glands. Also produced in the pituitary gland is the hormone vasopressin. Vasopressin also gets referred to as anti-diuretic hormone. This hormone encourages water retention by the kidneys. This hormone works in the kidney’s collecting ducts to stimulate reabsorption of water by the body.

Reflection on conjoint family therapy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reflection on conjoint family therapy - Essay Example Indeed some of the purist therapists cannot acquiescence to commence with a session unless the whole family is present. This therapy exists on the premises that the whole family is the client hence anything less than that is underrepresentation. For the family to heal, it is hence essential that the ailing relationships must be present in the room while therapy is conducted, necessitating the presence of the whole family (Satir 1983, p.66). The symptoms of family pain manifest themselves in one member of the family; these then affect the other members in different forms causing the ultimate breakdown. This has been used with considerable success, to deal with problems such as alcoholism where one member’s addiction affects the entire family (Piercy, Sprenkle, Wetchler 1996, p.320,). One of the major advantages of conjoint family therapy is that it helps create a natural environment for children to express themselves in therapy. Young children often appear to have psychological problems, but these are normally reactions to a troubled environment. Bearing in mind that the child’s primary environment is the family, often family problems Cause his /her discomfiture. As such, the family as a unit will have to heal so the child’s problems can be solved Since children are often not very articulate, individual therapy can be intimidating, and they may be overwhelmed by therapy whose cause they may not even comprehend. This will devalue the therapy, creates the impression that there may be something wrong with him/her hence, and as a result create psychological new problem (Kafka, 2012). Besides, it is crucial that the parents support therapists’ work, and if they are not aware of what the child has learnt through therapy, they might reverse the improvements. This can occur inadvertently through their behavior especially if it is the course of the child requiring therapy in the first place. Conjoint