Sunday 12 October 2014

How Did Ebola Evolve to Affect Humans?

 This is another interesting video. Check it out!



 Did you understand the video? What is it in humans and bats that the virus recognises and makes it able to infect both? Do you think bats are the only animals affected by Ebola? Why does the video explain that the virus evolved from bats to humans and not from any other animal?

 Rememeber!
You can hand in the answer to these questions as a project and obtain extra grade marks!

WHAT IS EBOLA? HOW IS IT SPREAD? AND HOW DO YOU CATCH IT?



 The first case of Ebola transmission in Spain has raised many questions in the class this week about this virus. The very discussed case on television of a nurse that has contracted the virus in a spanish hospital and whether sufficient protocols were implemented to protect health workers has awakened an interest in my students to know more about the virus. How is it transmitted? What are the symptoms? Is there a cure? are some of the questions asked in class.

 I have chosen a couple of simple, explanatory videos for you to see. I hope you enjoy them and you learn a little more about Ebola. I have also published a link to CBBC webpage where you can read more.

WHAT IS EBOLA? HOW IS IT SPREAD? AND HOW DO YOU CATCH IT?
Click here!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/28952811


Wednesday 1 October 2014

AN EXTRAORDINARY SWEET POTATO



We have an amazing sweet potato growing in our laboratory. This astonishing sample weighs over 3kg and is covered with long shoots and leaves that have grown from the tuber. Sweet potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, sugars and carotenoids, which give them their orange colour. They have heart shaped leaves and funnel shaped pink or purple flowers. It would be good to see the flowers and fruits grow on our sample.
  Mrs. Ana Buggle kindly gave us this extraordinary sample that had grown in her garden plot in Puebla de los Infantes.

  The scienctific name for sweet potato is Ipomoea batata, you can click on this link to read more about this species. It contains a lot of interesting information. CHECK IT OUT!

Ipomoea batata