Tutor profile: Thomas H.

Describe the three types of rocks, and describe the process of one rock transforming into another rock.

There are three types of rocks: igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks. Igneous rocks are rocks that form from cooled lava (above the ground liquid rock) or cooled magma (below the ground liquid rock). Sedimentary rocks are rocks that form from sediments or broken down rocks. Metamorphic rocks are rocks that have either been subjected to intense heat or pressure. The rock cycle starts as magma or lava. The magma can cool into an igneous rock. If the igneous rock stays underground, if it remains in the hot and pressurized areas it will turn into metamorphic rock. If the igneous rock goes above ground it will either stay an igneous rock, or be weathered down by the elements into sediments. The sediments will either be compacted (smushed into a solid mass) or cemented (absorbed water to become glued) into sedimentary rock. This new rock will either be weathered down into sediments again, or go under ground and become pressurized into a metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rocks can either be weathered down, turned into another metamorphic rock, or melted back into magma. This is called the rock cycle, where rocks can change over time due to their environment.

Consider the following: a rock, a virus, and a frog. Which are considered alive, and why? Use the characteristics of life to defend your answer.

In order to be considered alive, all of the following characteristics must be met: The organism must be made of one or more cells, use energy, contain genetic material (DNA or RNA), reproduce, be a product of evolution, be able to grow and develop, and respond to the environment. A frog is considered alive because it is made of cells, it uses energy to move and gains energy by eating other organisms. A frog also has DNA, can make baby tadpoles, has evolved over time, and grows over time. Frogs can respond to their environment as well. This means they are considered alive, because they meet of the requirements of being living. A rock is not alive because it is not made of cells, does not use energy, cannot reproduce or evolve, contains no genetic material, and does not respond to the environment. Because the rock does not meet these characteristics, it is not alive. A virus is not a live because it is made of cells, it is simply genetic material in a protein coat. Because it is not made of cells, it cannot be considered alive. Living things are alive if they meet all the characteristics of life.

You examine a patient and find out that there is a broken bone on their leg. Specifically, the damaged area is found on the anterior side of the body, distal to the feet, inferior to the femur, but superior to the tibia. Describe the damaged bone, and what problems will the person have as a result of this damaged bone?

Based on the descriptions provided the damaged bone in question is the patella or knee cap. The anterior side of the body is the front of the body, distal is a term that means far away. The bone is inferior, or below, the femur (thigh) but superior, or above, the tibia (the shin bone). This area would be the patella. If the patella is damaged the person in question would have trouble walking, because the knee cap is responsible for walking. It is a joint that allows the body to flex and extend, both of which help a person walk.