Questions and Answers on Biology Example

Assignment 1

QUESTIONS ON LESSON ONE

Please answer the following questions using no more than 75 words for each. Incorporate the questions within your answers (eg. the number of days in the year is 365)

Q1. What do you understand by the following terms: -

(a) plant - a plant is a life form capable of making its own food but incapable of locomotion.

(b) herb - a herb is a plant that does not have distinctive woody features such as those in trees and shrubs. It usually withers and dies off during the dry season

(c) tree- a tree, on the other hand, is a plant with a woody stem from the ground up and it is capable of withstanding extended dry period without dying off.

Q2. Name two fundamental differences between plants and animals.

Two fundamental differences between plants and animals are;

Locomotion - animals can move from one point to another but plants cannot. The plants can only grow but they cannot move independently from point A to point B.

Photosynthesize-while plants make organic compounds through photosynthesis process, animals lack chlorophyll which facilitates photosynthesis thus unable to produce primary sugars.

Q3. What is the function of Chlorophyll?

The function of Chlorophyll is to help in converting the carbon(IV) oxide taken through plants' leaves, water taken through the roots and solar energy from the sun, into sugar and oxygen which are stored for plants use and released into the atmosphere respectively.

Q4. Can you think of a reason why you should not have many plants overnight in a person's sick room?

The main reason why one should not have many plants overnight in person's sick room is that plants respire at night, meaning they take in oxygen from the atmosphere which is also needed for human respiration. For a sick person who is not able to breathe in well, the plants can reduce the amount of oxygen thus worsening the conditions of the patient.

Q5. In a lichen, what benefit do you think that a fungus could derive from its algal partner?

One major benefit a fungus derives from an alga is food. This is because a fungus lacks chlorophyll which is essential for photosynthesis process to make its own food.

Q6. Which part of the plant would you examine to differentiate between a monocotyledonous plant and a dicotyledonous plant?

The best part of the plant to examine to differentiate a monocotyledonous and a dicotyledonous plant is the seed. While a monocot seed embryo is composed of just a single cotyledon, a dicot seed embryo is made up of two cotyledons.

Q7. What is the difference between a genus and a species? Give the names of two herbs of the same genus to illustrate this.

The difference between a genus and species is that species comprises of a classification whose members can be able to interbreed and produce offspring that can as well be able to interbreed while for the genus, although the members of the classification may look very similar, the chance of them interbreeding and producing a fertile offspring is minimal. Examples of herbs in the same genus are Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius. The two herbs belong to genus Panax and different species.

Q8. Anathemis nobilis (L) is known as the true or Common Chamomile. What does the (L) stand for?

In Anathemis nobilis (L), the (L) refers to the classification system used to name the herb.For the mentioned herb, the classification system used is by the Swedish botanist, Carolus Linnaeus commonly abbreviated with an "L."

Q9. Are the old country names for herbs of any value to us today? From the text of this lesson, give an example to support your brief answer.

The country names are not of much help to us today. This is because, although the names can be quick to remember especially for the people who relate with the origin of the name, the names are not universal and for a person interested in deriving more information on the herb, a name that does not specify the genus or specific name is a hindrance to the process. For instance, with a herb name like Symphytum officinale (L), it has numerous varying country names including Knitbone, Boneset and Bruisewort which can be confusing when looking for information about it.

Q10. If man ever developed the technology to travel to other planets, what would he have to ensure or take with him if he was ever to successfully colonize another world?

Briefly explain your answer.

The essential thing to successfully colonize another world would be the source of food and medicine. for any animal or human being to survive, a source of body energy is the primary requirement for survival and therefore food would be the first necessity to have. But even more important, it is important that man is able to overcome the vulnerabilities to the body that comes with a change of the environment and those are diseases. Medicine is, therefore, key to survival.

Assignment 2

QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO

Q1. What do you understand by the term Vis Medicatrix Naturae?

Vis Medicatrix Naturae is the self-healing power suggested by a Greek physician Hippocrates and refers it to the action of stimulating the body to use its natural healing power to heal itself when it is ailing.

Q2. What type of tissue lines are the respiratory tract?

The type of tissue lining the respiratory tract is the epithelial tissue, which consists of cilia to move mucus and enhance immune.

Q3. What do you understand by the terms: -

(a) non-compliance -non-compliance is a phenomenon where a patient fails to consume the whole dosage prescribed by the physician mostly due to the adverse side effects of the drug taken.

(b) iatrogenic illness - iatrogenic illness is the diseases resulting from non-compliance which lead to unacceptable side effects.

(c) dynamic living medicines -my understanding is that dynamic living medicines are opposite of synthetic chemical often used in orthodoxy intervention. With dynamic living medicine, there are no adverse side effects experienced.

Q4. What evidence have we that there was any formal system of herbal medicine being practiced thousands of years ago?

There are several proofs that there existed formal systems of herbal medicine a thousand years ago. The archaeological evidence dating back to 1600 BC from Ebers Papyrus contains a list of 700 drugs and charms, the majority of which were herbs. Additionally, there are written texts on herbal medicine from the ancient Shang dynasty of China that dates back around 1700 BC and this is a full proof that a formal system regarding herbal medicine existed.

Q5. What is the difference between a sanguine and a phlegmatic temperament?

The difference between a sanguine and a phlegmatic temperament is that a sanguine is easily excited, emphasizes on the impression, is impulsive but more than not, sanguine temperament is unreliable, for a phlegmatic temperament, however, the character is quite obsessional, fussy, practical but it does not like exposure to the limelight.

Q6. What are the main characteristics of Cold conditions? What sort of herbs would one advise in their management?

The main characteristics of the cold condition are that it can exist as cold and dry or cold and wet where the former represents the earth and the latter refers to water according to Aristotle's theory. To manage cold conditions, one is advised to take hot herbs.

Q7. What do you think is generally the easiest and safest way of taking herbs? Explain why briefly.

I think the easiest and the safest way to consume herbs is to do so one at a time. This is because complex mixtures of herbs can result in unpredictable complex reactions which may endanger life. In case of extreme symptoms such as excessive body weight loss, I would recommend that the patient gets tested by his or her doctor first before administering the herbs to the body.

Q8. An individual with a raging fever, trembling and a flushed appearance would have what type of illness according to the balance theory? What type of herbal treatment would suit him best? Explain.

According to the balance theory, a raging fever, trembling and a flushed appearance represents the condition of excess. To remedy the condition of excess the individual is experiencing the best herbal treatment would be administering cold or cooling temperament herbs to balance the body condition.

Q9. An individual complains of haemorrhoids, slightly swollen ankles and cold feet in bed at night would have what type of illness according to the balance theory. What type of herbal treatment would suit him best? Explain.

Haemorrhoids, swollen ankles and cold feet at night are attributes of a Cold condition according to the balance theory. The best herbal medication for this condition is a warming herb administering. When an individual suffering this condition takes the warm herbs, the body is able to restore balance by adjusting to the optimal conditions.

Q10. An individual alternatively feels either hot or cold. He has alternating diarrhoea and constipation. He is losing weight rapidly and appears pale. What is your assessment of his history? What would you advise this individual to do?

My assessment on an individual showing alternating diarrhoea and constipation in addition to rapid weight loss symptoms is that the condition they are suffering is life-threatening and as an expert on herbal medicine I would recommend an orthodox approach first to get examined using Hi-Tec equipment to get the actual diagnosis before proceeding with herb prescription.

Assignment 3

QUESTIONS ON LESSON THREE

Q1. What are the main features of Cold conditions?

The main features of Cold conditions include a feeling of stagnation, congestion and general slowed body processes. The conditions may culminate in a skin disorder, which is believed to be due to poor nutrient circulation, and circulatory disorders resulting from sluggish regulatory routines in circulation.

Q2. Which of the following would you consider to be Cold conditions?

(a) sinusitis -Cold condition

(b) influenza -Hot condition

(c) thyrotoxicosis -Hot condition

(d) hypothyroidism -Cold condition

(e) haemorrhoids -Cold condition

(f) arthritis- Cold condition

(g) abscess -Hot condition

Q3. Constipation is common. One usually thinks of it as being a cold condition, yet can you give an example of it being produced in a hot condition?

Another cause of constipation apart from the slow movements of the bowel, which is classified as a cold condition, is excessive loss of water from the digestive system either through conditions like hyperhidrosis that lead to excessive sweating or diabetes. The two disorders are hot conditions in nature and ultimately lead to constipation hence it can also be produced in a hot condition.

Q4. What is the mode of action of a warming herb?

The mode of action of a warm herb varies with the specific cold condition an individual is suffering from but the generic action involves stimulating process in the body. For instance, Betony herb, which is excellent in treating the head and neck cold conditions, the mode of action involves stimulating the digestion, as well as, relaxing tension to cure headaches.

Q5. What do you understand by the term

(a) diaphoretic - diaphoretic is one of the action effect of Elecampane, a warming herb, that works by stimulating the sweat glands to release sweat during a fever.

(b) Tachycardia - Tachycardia is a powerful unwanted effect of Figwort warming herb that results from internal consumption instead of the recommended external application.

(c) 'the fig' - the fig is a medieval name for Figwort herb, which is a rough looking plant with knobbly root resembling piles. The common name Figwort originates from this name "the fig"

Q6. Can you name a herb which would be of most value in dealing with...