The Life Essay
In this essay you will be required to tell a tale of three atoms. The first is a carbon atom,
which will begin as part of the molecule CO2. The second is a nitrogen molecule, which
will begin as part of molecular nitrogen, N2. The third is an oxygen atom as part of
molecular oxygen, O2. The story should begin with these molecules in their major abiotic
reservoirs. You are to describe their travels as they enter the biotic realm becoming part
of hemoglobin in a human being. This human being is a soldier and at the time of the
incorporation of the atoms into the protein he is running in battle. Deliver oxygen to a
muscle cell and briefly explain how ATP is made. Then contract the muscle using that
ATP. Explain what is happening in his body in terms of fight-or-flight. Explain how the
atoms get back to their major abiotic reservoirs. You need all the details from
photosynthesis to cellular respiration to the biogeochemical cycles to the body systems.
Why are humans fighting (at the most basic level)?
This human survives the war and returns to America where she ends up having five
children before she dies. She has normal vision, but her five daughters are all color-blind.
Explain how this is possible.
Speeding time forward 50 million years, you find that humans have speciated into two
different species. You analyze the genetics of both populations and you find that every
“human” in one of the populations has a DNA sequence more similar to the soldier than
the other population and strangely all the individuals are color blind as it is not
advantageous. Give a scenario how the ancestors of this human became part of a new
species. Be sure to include all the methods of microevolution as well as how speciation
would occur specifically in terms of reproductive barrier. What do you predict will be the
outcome of the two species as a result of sharing an ecological niche?
The more detail you include, the higher the grade. However, remember your time limit of
a double period. The story must be finished. Therefore, you may need to make some
trade-offs between finishing the essay and the level of detail. Hey, all species have made
trade-offs.