How is Tissue is like Silk??

So when I was watching the TED Talk video by Fio Omenetto, I had a constant connection in my mind going on between the similarities between the tissues we just learned about in anatomy, and the silk. Cells are what make up tissues in our body. These cells are all made of the same DNA, however it is the controlled expression of genes within the DNA that differentiates the cells form and function. So, from the video about silk, we learned that it can be formed in many different ways to serve endless purposes within our body. If you think about it, tissue and silk aren't all that different. They both represent how form affects function and vice-versa. Lets take an example. There is cartilage in your nose. So lets say for some reason this cartilage becomes damaged and it is not being repaired by your body. Well, since the extracellular matrix is what makes up most of connective tissue, many protein based fibers are used within the cartilage. Silk can be used in the same why by using proteins to make fibers that can substitute for the cartilage. Now keep in mind that this situation is hypothetical and it is unlikely that we have the ability to do this. However the concept that silk and tissue have direct correlations between form and function is extremely important. I predict that in the next several decades, we will have bio-engineered silk to the point where we can manipulate it to have exactly the same form and functions of our tissue and cells. How about your? What do you think silk will serve as in the future? I think this 5 millennial-old material has the potential to become something great.

Image from: http://www.organovo.com/science-technology
/bioprinted-human-tissue/architecturally-correct-tissue

Image from: http://now.tufts.edu/news-releases/high-strength

-silk-scaffolds-improve-bone-rep

Three Weekly Questions

1. What tasks have you completed recently?

Well, I think the biggest task that I accomplished in anatomy this week was studying and taking the chapter one exam. I have to say, it wasn't easy. I made a lot, and I mean a lot (like 60) flashcards for this test. I gotta say the flashcards and re-watching the flip notes made me much more prepared for the test. That test was a truly daunting task, but I think I completed it to the best of my abilities and I feel confident. Which may be either good or bad. Ms. Gardner is probably despicably laughing right now because she knows, that I will never again, be confident about her tests. Oh well.

2. What have you learned recently?

I learned mostly about the regions of the body, directional anatomical terms, and homeostasis. Those three topics were our main points of study in class this week and the previous week. I think I learned a lot. I would've never in a zillion years thought that I could memorize 40 regions of the body that quickly. But I did, so, yay.

3.  What are you planning on doing next?

I plan to make my flashcards in sections rather than all at once. I think it would be easier if I make the flashcards right after I take flip notes or complete a project/assignment that had some info that would be on the test. I am also gonna do my weekly questions from now on. (the whole class forgot to do them last Friday) Also I plan to have an amazing Friday and ace my playing test in jazz band, ace my written test in symphonic band, get a good grade on my MLKJ essay for English, make it into symphony orchestra by doing well in my audition after school, then kick butt at tennis practice, then to finish it off have a fun time in pep band at the basketball game. Busy day tomorrow. Wish me luck!!!!!

I am a Digital Native.

       The term Digital Native was founded by Marc Prensky in 2001. This term was used to describe those born into a new culture in the digital age.  These people such as myself grew up with technology becoming a part of a daily life. You can read more about digital natives by clicking the link. Another thing Marc Prensky argues, is that there are also Digital Immigrants. Digital Immigrants are people were born before the widespread digital technology. Although that doesn't mean that these people don't know how to use technology, rather they were introduced at a later age and had to learn to use it. Marc Prensky's original article can be found here. 

       After researching and taking a quiz or two, I have come to the conclusion that I am, in fact, a digital native. Shocker right? (that was sarcastic.) You might find from personal experience that most technology natives are under the age of 25. Being born in 1999, that puts me at 14 years old. So I know that I am in the range for being a digital native. The next thing I thought about is, "Can I remember a time when the internet wasn't in large scale use?" The answer to that was no. As far back as I can remember, the internet was already being largely used. We already had internet in our schools and were integrating digital technology into our education system.  For these reasons I believe that I am a digital native. I grew up with digital technology and it has been very easily accessible to me. I find technology easy to use because I was introduced to it so early on in my life. You might even be able to compare it to learning a language. It's easier to learn when you're younger. 

Here is an infographic I made to show the contrasts between 

Digital Natives and Immigrants. I used Picktochart.com to create 

this infographic.

       Are you not sure which you might be. A digital native? Or a digital immigrant? Take the quiz!

       Whether you are a digital native or a digital immigrant I won't judge you. This has repeatedly happened throughout history.  Maybe someday a new technology will come out when I am much older and I will be an immigrant. Who knows. But for know the natives are one step ahead of the immigrants in digital technology but more and more is being learned each day by each of the two parties. Who knows you may not forever remain either a native or an immigrant to digital technology. Only time will tell.