Natural Product Development Lab
In the final lab of the ecology unit, we did an in depth exploration of the importance of biodiversity. We did this through natupuriral product development; attempting to find medicines in plants. We did this by taking water and alcohol extracts of plants and testing their antibiotic efficiency against E. coli. To see if our plants were resistant to E. coli, we compared the results against ampycillin and water. My group found that our extract had antibiotic properties, as much of the E. coli around the extract had been killed. Possible experimental errors included long time periods between pouring our extracts and observing the results.
This lab was done to explore why biodiversity is important to humans. Copious amounts of medicines are made using natural products, such as plants, fungi, or molecular engineering. By sustaining the heterogeneity of our planet, we will possibly be able to make medicines, as well as find alternatives to making paper, wood, clothing, and a plethora of other everyday thing. Biodiversity is also important as it boosts the productivity of ecosystems. Each organism plays an important role in their biome, no matter how small their niche. If an organism is lost, and ecosystems become more homogeneous, that system will lose productivity and sustainability. This can greatly affect our species as a whole. Biodiversity is also important, in my opinion, to keep our world lush, colorful, natural, and overall beautiful. In a digital world with skyscrapers and evolving locomotives, it is important to reach back to our Earth's inherent artistry.
This lab was done to explore why biodiversity is important to humans. Copious amounts of medicines are made using natural products, such as plants, fungi, or molecular engineering. By sustaining the heterogeneity of our planet, we will possibly be able to make medicines, as well as find alternatives to making paper, wood, clothing, and a plethora of other everyday thing. Biodiversity is also important as it boosts the productivity of ecosystems. Each organism plays an important role in their biome, no matter how small their niche. If an organism is lost, and ecosystems become more homogeneous, that system will lose productivity and sustainability. This can greatly affect our species as a whole. Biodiversity is also important, in my opinion, to keep our world lush, colorful, natural, and overall beautiful. In a digital world with skyscrapers and evolving locomotives, it is important to reach back to our Earth's inherent artistry.