Viruses Essays - Virology, Virus, Non-cellular Life,

Viruses The word virus means "poi-son" in Latin. Viruses are submicro-scopic intracellular parasites that consist of either RNA or DNA, and a protective coat of protein. It has caused countless diseases in vari-ous organisms. The term virus was first used in the 1890s to describe agents that caused diseases that were smaller than bacteria. The ex-istence of viruses was established in 1892, when Russian scientist Dimity I. Ivanovsky discovered microscopic particles later known as the tobacco mosaic virus. Over the years, scientists have debated whether viruses are alive. Some scientists argue that the virus is lifeless. On the other hand, other scientists argue that viruses are lifeforms and should be classified into a kingdom. However, many sci-entists have agreed that things must have seven characteristics of life to be considered alive. The character-istics of life are all living things are composed of cells, all organisms are organized at cellular and molecular levels, energy use, and response to the environment, growth, reproduc-tion, and adaptation. From research and observa-tion, scientists have found that vi-ruses can perform some of the life processes. They found that viruses have organization, the ability to re-produce, and adaptations. First, they found that viruses are generally organized and composed of a nu-cleic acid core, either RNA or DNA, surrounded by protein. Next, they found that viruses could reproduce. It does not reproduce by sexual or asexual production, but by injecting its genetic material into the nucleus of a living cell. Finally, they found out that viruses have adaptations. They have the ability to mutate into different strains to resist man-made drugs. In short, these are some views and facts about the virus. To this day, scientists are still fiercely debating whether viruses are alive. Should we consider them alive since they perform some life processes or simply consider them lifeless?

citizenship in the world merit badge prerequisites 1-4 essays

citizenship in the world merit badge prerequisites 1-4 essays Citizenship in the World Merit Badge 1. (a) Citizenship is, as defined my Merriam Webster is the quality of an individual's response to membership in a community. A person can become a citizen of the United States by more than one way. A citizen of the United States is a native-born, foreign-born, or naturalized person who owes allegiance to the United States and who is entitled to its protection. In addition to the naturalization process, the United States recognizes the U.S. citizenship of individuals according to two fundamental principles: right of birthplace, or right of blood. If a person is born in the United States, then that person becomes a citizen by right of birthplace, unless they are the child of a head of another state or a foreign diplomat. If a person is born outside of the United States, and that persons parent/parents are citizens of the United States, then the child will become a citizen of the U.S. by right of blood. The US Congress decides how citizenship is passed on by a U.S. citizen parent or parents according to right of blood. Another way to become a U.S. citizen is by the naturalization process. To become a citizen if a person is from another country they must fulfill the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The general requirements for administrative naturalization include: a period of continuous residence and physical presence in the United States; residence in a particular INS District prior to filing; an ability to read, write and speak English; a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government; attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and, favorable disposition toward the United States. One can become a citizen in other countries by either becoming a citizen by right of birthplace, right of blood or naturalization, as in the United States, although ...

Integrating Language and Mathematics Learning Essay

Integrating Language and Mathematics Learning - Essay Example Apart from acquiring oral, written, and reading skills in English, they also need to learn to use these skills in content areas like mathematics and science. Mathematics is defined as â€Å"The study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols† or â€Å"a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement†. (www.thefreedictionary.com) Information about various subjects is communicated using mathematics, and in this respect it is often considered a language with its own vocabulary and grammar. Mathematical symbols from many alphabets and fonts constitute the vocabulary, and mathematical logic which decides the validity or otherwise of a mathematical argument and forms the grammar of mathematics. â€Å"All academic language is more abstract than social language. Because this is particularly so in math and science, these subjects present a special challenge to English learners. These students must be explicitly taught to use academic language.† (Muir) Contrary to common perceptions, mathematics has its foundations in attempts to describe and solve real life issues. Concrete examples include the need to measure farms using geometry, understanding why apples fall with the aid of calculus and understanding the risks in gambling using probability. Mathematics does also involve the study of some areas which deal with abstract matters lacking any known physical manifestations. Though the ability to handle numbers with ease and use of mathematics are crucial to employability and job success, LEP students are often denied the required level of mathematics education since it was believed that English language skills had to be acquired before even basic mathematical or computational skills could be taught. A compartmentalized system of language and mathematics education was the norm for LEP students, but recent research suggests that integrating language and