Disciplinary Recourse Guide for Biology Majors

Wisley Leandre
ENGW105
Ms. Jimisha Relerford
February 27, 2016

Abstract
This is a resource guide for students within the biology field. This guide contains resources that
could prove to be beneficial to a Biology students journey through Howard.

Journals
http://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pbio.0020302
This is a journal article discusses Life as we know it, what more we have to discover
about life, and the challenge of finding life on other planets. This journal makes the point that we
lack a definition of life that could guide a search for life outside Earth. The cause of this is the
fact that we only have one example of life, and this example is life on earth. The author gives
different definitions of life, one of which is that life is a material system that undergoes
reproduction, mutation, and natural selection. He discusses that typical approach to discovering
life is by finding what life needs, such as energy, carbon, liquid water, nitrogen, sulfur, and
phosphorous. While those may be what an organism on Earth needs to survive, an organism on
another planet may need something else to live. The author argues that life on other planets may
be completely different. To end the journal article, he discusses searching for alien life. He makes
the point that we may have technology that assists us finding life similar to ours, but if the
organism was truly alien then our technology wouldnt work. He gives a different approach to
search for new life.
Biology is defined as the study of life, and as a student within the field, one of your objectives
would be to give new meaning to life, make ground breaking discovery on life, to increase the
complexity within the definition of the concept, and to also to get a better understanding of life.
This would also greatly assist in finding new life on other planets.

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http://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.1002330
This Journal discusses breast cancer and the protein that causes the progression of the
cancer. The author discusses a new discovery within a study on breast cancer. The discovery
within the study was that the protein, ELF5, drives the spread of tumor cells within the lungs.
ELF5 is described in the journal as a key determinant of anti-estrogen therapy resistance. The
discovery from this study shows hat ELF5 may be behind the two most important processes that
cause luminal breast cancers to progress towards the lethal phenotype; resistance to anti-estrogen
therapy and the development of metastatic activity. The author also discusses the effects of this
protein on cancerous cells, for example ELF5 in cancer cells causes inflammation in tumors.
This discovery and new understanding of how breast cancer progresses paves the way for new
strategies in treating the disease, and new ways to test the activity of the disease and see how it
progresses or regresses. As a biology student, youll be conducting a lot of problem solving, and
it includes solving problems within diseases such as cancer. This problem solving will included a
lot of research and a lot of analysis. This journal is an example of such research and what comes
from researching and problem solving. As a student within the biology field, whether you decide
to be an optometrist or a neurologist, one of your objectives is to improve the health of people,
and to do that you must first find the problem within diseases, such as cancer, that deteriorates
the health of people, and then begin to think of solutions. This journal is a great resource in
aiding understanding the process of researching and problem solving.

http://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.1002056

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This journal discusses the ongoing epidemic of Ebola cases, steps to achieve control of
the disease and the prevention of other cases, and also the projections of deaths from the disease.
The author develops a branching process model in order to address the issues. The model
includes the number of new infection caused by each case, the feedback between new
cases and hospital demand under a range of plausible intervention
scenarios, particularly the increase of treatment facilities over time and
increasing the number of individuals seeking hospital treatment through
outreach and education, transmission scenarios to health care workers in
hospitals, to caregivers in the community, to hospital visitors, and to
individuals preparing bodies for funerals are also included. Results suggest
that the outcome of the epidemic depends on both hospital capacity and
individual behavior. Additionally, the model highlights the conditions under
which transmission might have outpaced hospital capacity, and projects
possible epidemic trajectories into 2015. Biology doesnt only include consist
of dissecting animals and looking through a microscope. Biology involves
mathematics, problem solving, statistics, data, and analysis. In this journal
article the author, uses data to generate projections of deaths, number of
new infections, the increase of treatment facilities, and the transmission
scenarios. The use of this data and its projection, will assist in achieving
control of the disease. This article shows that as a Biology student, the use of
mathematics will be imperative. It will assist in problem solving situations,
such as the one discussed in the article.

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Critical Vocabulary List
These are key terms needed for research in biology.
Biology- To be able to research in biology, you must first know the meaning of biology in its
entirety. Biology is defined as the study of living organisms, divided into many specialized fields
that cover their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, origin, and distribution. A more in
depth and detailed definition would be: Biology is the study of living organisms made up of
biological molecules, which involves the chemistry of life, and cells with functional cell
membranes and internal cell structure, with energy supply from cell respiration. Biology involves
inheritance, via DNA, by means of Genes guiding cellular reproduction. Biology examines
plants and evolution. The development of life, beginning with microbes and fungi.
Photosynthesis of plants, plant energy, plant form, and its reproduction. Finally, Biology studies
animals, homeostasis, circulation, respiration, nutrition, excretion, endocrine system, immune
response, nervous system, muscles, and skeletons (Biology).
Cells- Cells are defined as the structural, functional, and biological unit of all organisms (Cell).
Cells are the building blocks for all organisms. Cells carry out the functions of the bodies of
humans, animals, plants, as well as the functions of unicellular organisms, such as bacteria.
Without functioning cells in our bodies, we wouldnt be alive. Although every life form has cells
within their bodies, cells within bacteria, animals, and plants are different. There are two

different types of cells prokaryotic, found in bacteria, and eukaryotic, found in animals and
plants. The main difference between the two is a well-defined nucleus surrounded by a
membranous nuclear envelope, which is only found in eukaryotic cells.

5
Nucleus-The nucleus is defined as a dense organelle present in most eukaryotic cells, typically a
single rounded structure bounded by a double membrane, containing the genetic material
(nucleus). The nucleus is the control of the cell. It controls the functions of the cell and makes
sure those functions are carried out. The nucleus also contains the cells DNA and controls the
cells growth and reproduction. It also controls the synthesis of ribosomes and proteins in the
cytoplasm.
DNA- Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule that carries most of the genetic instructions used in
the development, functioning and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses
(DNA). DNA is commonly found in the nucleus. It consists of two long chains of nucleotides
twisted into a double helix and joined by hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases
adenine and thymine or cytosine and guanine. DNA is what makes up the specific characteristics
of the body of many animals, plants, and bacteria. Characteristics, such as, height, weight,
appearance, skin color, and many other physical characteristics are all within our DNA.
Amino Acid- Amino is defined as a biologically important organic compound containing amine
and carboxylic acid functional groups, usually along with a side-chain specific to each amino
acid (Amino Acid). An example of an amino acid is Protein. Protein plays a crucial role in almost
all biological processes and amino acids are the building blocks of it. A large proportion of our
cells, muscles and tissue is made up of amino acids, meaning they carry out

many important bodily functions, such as giving cells their structure. Amino acid also plays a
key role in the storage and transport of nutrients for a cell.
Life- life is defined as the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter,
including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change
preceding death. Anything that contains cells within is considered alive or living. Anything alive
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needs energy and water to survive. Energy and water are what keeps the cells, as well as the
organism a live. Also, anything without a cell in its body isnt considered life, or alive (life).
Organism- an organism is defined as a form of life composed of mutually interdependent parts
that maintain various vital processes (organism). Animals, Plants, even viruses are considered as
organisms. Humans and animals are made up of different parts and all those parts carry out
specific functions to keep the body as a whole functioning. Plants of a plant are different, but
those parts carry out specific functions as well to keep the plant functioning. Bacteria doesnt
have as many parts, but the same thing applies for bacteria as well.
Proteins- Proteins are defined as large molecules composed of one or more chains of amino
acids in a specific order determined by the base sequence of nucleotides in the DNA coding for
the protein (protein). Proteins are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's
cells, tissues, and organs. Without proteins within the body, bodies of organisms wouldnt
function properly. Proteins are imperative to the health of an organism.
Taxonomy- Taxonomy is defined as the classification of organisms (Taxonomy). It is used to
name, describe, and classify organism, and includes all plants, animals, and microorganisms in
the world. The classifications within the taxonomy animals are classified by their domain,

kingdom, phyla, class, order, family, genus, and species. The name of many of the animals,
plants, and microorganisms come from this taxonomy.
Nomenclature- Nomenclature is the devising or choosing of name for things (Nomenclature).
Many of the names for all living things comes from nomenclature. Nomenclature involves the
use of taxonomy to devise the names of all living things.

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Organization
These are organizations related to biology major at Howard University
Betta Kappa Chi
Founded in 1923 by the science faculty and science students of Lincoln University, Lincoln
University, Pennsylvania, Beta Kappa Chi National Honor Society is a collegiate honor society
dedicated to the promotion of high scholarship in pure and applied sciences. The motto of Betta
Kappa Chi is "SCIENCE HOLDS THE GOLDEN KEY TO THE ROYAL PALACE OF
KNOWLEDGE". In 1923, Beta Kappa Chi was founded by a biologist, a chemist and a
mathematician at Lincoln University, who believed in this motto and who emphasized quality of
training and performance in their efforts to interpret the place of science in a liberal education.
Betta Kappa Chi became known as Beta Kappa Chi National Honor Society in 1960 and became
a chapter on nearly every HBCU in 1965. The 73rd Joint Meeting BKX and NIS for 2016 will
take place in Hampton, Virginia, co-hosted by Hampton University and Norfolk State University
American Institute of biological Sciences
Founded in 1947 as a part of the National Academy of Sciences, AIBS became an independent,
member-governed organization in the 1950s. Today, AIBS has nearly 160 member organizations

and is headquartered in Reston, VA, with a Public Policy Office in Washington, DC. Its
approximately 40 staff members work to achieve its mission by publishing the peer-reviewed
journal BioScience and the education Web site ActionBioscience.org, by providing scientific
peer-review and advisory services to government agencies and other clients, and by collaborating
with scientific organizations to advance public policy, education, and the public understanding of
science. The mission of AIBS is to ensure that the public, legislators, funders, and the community
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of biologists have access to and use information that will guide them in making informed
decisions about matters that require biological knowledge. They do this by publishing peerreviewed journals and educational sites. An upcoming event for this organization is called using
gene drives to counter zinka. This event will discuss ways to control the spread of the zinka
virus.
Employment Opportunities
Chemistry Technician
http://www.indeed.com/cmp/Ideal-Option/jobs/Chemistry-Technician-2cd4d103dce442ce?
sjdu=QwrRXKrqZ3CNX5W-O9jEvaQkykIobvOl-vEznZIxy5M4xoFKpmJnaB1BLfORXf1kVuia7OOOKK8aachIfl5ow
Toxicology chemistry technician is needed to run both an immunoassay and LC/MS/MS analyzer. Will be responsible
for running routine urine samples, Calibrations and QC. Must be highly motivated and about to work independently.
Responsibilities

Performance of and reporting of clinical laboratory diagnostic testing results

Instrument maintenance and troubleshooting

Perform multiple computer functions, including LIS result entry in Labdaq, review of pending test logs, and
use of Microsoft Outlook.

Perform and document quality control

Effectively communicates with coworkers and management.

Lab Assistant
http://www.indeed.com/cmp/North-Sound-Dermatology--Snohomish-County/jobs/LabAssistant-2d2627ee158dabb3?sjdu=QwrRXKrqZ3CNX5WO9jEvbwN4FSuAZKEkimCDWQS7L_T4jcoaiFiwA8LQptct_6N4T1zP4sDOdAiwlCaCWfchA
Laboratory assistant needed for histology laboratory. Responsibilities will include assisting in laboratory specimen
processing which includes production of slides, computer data entry, and general maintenance of the laboratory. This
individual will participate in efforts aimed at improving flow of specimens through the laboratory. This is a part-time
job only, 15-25 hours.

Laboratory Research Associate

http://www.indeed.com/cmp/Champions-Oncology,-Inc./jobs/Laboratory-Research-Associatef0ac4acce4ac3b51?sjdu=QwrRXKrqZ3CNX5WO9jEvTqWTRjutmxTFD8IfrVN9vOmI4_kG42p-z9SM5LWriTkS9Qa48eP2aT20AAAfDZgYDaY3VtgIzJ6zgotLYE1PM
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: Perform basic cross-functional laboratory tasks in support of in vivo studies. Maintain and
collect data using various systems.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Perform basic cell culture including culturing primary cells and characterizing their growth and survival
through the use of cell based assays.

Perform molecular biology techniques including preparation of plasmids, transfection and infection of cells.

Assist with the characterization of Tumor grafts by Gene Expression, PCR, Oncogene Mutations, and HLA
typing.

Assist with sample processing and Histology.

Assist in analysis techniques including Flow Cytometry and Immunostaining.

Assist with the propagation and maintenance of Tumor graft banks for the Company.

Assist with new platform development.

Assist in performing tasks involved in the studies of in vivo oncology models, including subcutaneous tumor
implantations, tumor volume measurements, data collection and analysis.

Administration of therapeutic agents through different routes of administration (including IP, PO, and possibly
IV).

Style Guide
This resource guide conforms to an APA style of writing, although the guide isnt required to
conform to a certain style of writing. The basic format of APA style writing is 12 pt. Times New
Roman font. The paper should include four major sections; Title Page, Abstract, Main Body, and
References, in that order. References should always be at the end and separate from the texts of
the paper. References provides information necessary for the reader to locate and retrieve cited
sources in the body of the paper. Each source you cite in the paper must appear in your reference
list; likewise, each entry in the reference list must be cited in your text. This is an example of an
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End of document citation: HISTORY OF BETA KAPPA CHI SCIENTIFIC HONOR SOCIETY 1923-1984. (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2016, from http://www.betakappachi.org/about-us/ourhistory and the in text citation for this would be: (HISTORY).
Examples of End of Document Citation
AIBS:

Historical

Perspective.

(n.d.).

https://www.aibs.org/about-aibs/history.html

Retrieved

March

04,

2016,

from

Biology Concepts. (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2016, from http://hyperphysics.phyastr.gsu.edu/hbase/biology/biocon.html

Cell. (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2016, from http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Cell
HISTORY OF BETA KAPPA CHI SCIENTIFIC HONOR SOCIETY - 1923-1984. (n.d.).
Retrieved March 04, 2016, from http://www.betakappachi.org/about-us/our-history
Nomenclature

(n.d.).

Retrieved

March

04,

2016,

from

http://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/nomenclature
Examples of In text Citation
(AIBS)
(BIOLOGY)
(CELL)
(Nomenclature)
(HISTORY)

References
AIBS: A Historical Perspective. (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2016, from
https://www.aibs.org/about-aibs/history.html
Amino Acid. (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amino_acid
Biology Concepts. (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2016, from http://hyperphysics.phyastr.gsu.edu/hbase/biology/biocon.html
Cell. (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2016, from http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Cell

HISTORY OF BETA KAPPA CHI SCIENTIFIC HONOR SOCIETY - 1923-1984. (n.d.).

Retrieved March 04, 2016, from http://www.betakappachi.org/about-us/our-history
Life:. (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2016, from
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/life
DNA. (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2016, from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/DNA
Nomenclature (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2016, from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/nomenclature
Organism (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2016, from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/organism
Taxonomy. (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2016, from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/taxonomy
Protein. (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2016, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/protein?
s=t
Nucleus:. (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2016, from
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/nucleus?q=Nucleus