Group Learning

First I read Sandra's Blog (mostly because she was sitting right next to me...). Sandra is researching the difference between organic and conventional farming and which one is better for the environment. I learned that in many cases it is a wash. Organic farming still uses many chemicals and in most cases more chemicals than conventional farming however, the chemicals are natural instead of man-made. Sandra says that these naturally occurring chemicals are still bad for the environment and humans explaining that some can even cause terrible diseases such as Parkinson’s. Sandra answered the question by saying that the best way for farming to be done is using everything in moderation. Too many chemicals can cause resistance while too little can cause insect infestation. This post was interesting to me because organic everything is pushed on us so much we assume it is better for the environment. It is good to know that we shouldn’t always trust organic foods as being better for the environment.

Next I read Zach's post. Zach is writing about stem cell research and what its benefits can be used for. He began by explaining the difference between adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. This was extremely helpful to me because I was unaware of the difference. I learned the difference was that the embryonic stem cell is before the cell has taken its specific form (meaning skin cells or heart cells ect.). These cells are the ones that have the ability to become any cell in the body. The importance of stem cell research is that theoretically new organs could be grown instead of waiting for organ donors. Zach explains that at the moment scientist are trying to figure out how undifferentiated cells become differentiated which would allow them to control what cells are being made.


I also read Amanda's post about lactic acid. I learned that lactic acid is not the actual cause of muscle soreness however the process to make lactic acid indirectly causes the pain. Amanda says that the pH level is increased in the muscles and the acidity causes the pain. I think it is the process of the hydrogen being removed from the muscles which causes the increase in the pH level. I think it is the way I am reading it that I'm not completely sure but I left Amanda a comment so I can clear up my confusion. The most important thing I learned from her post was that lactic acid produces energy, making it good for our bodies which was contrary to most people's (including my own) beliefs.