Directions: 

Read, "Reading #1". Once you are done, answer ONE (1) of the questions below: 

Reading #1: 

Environmental Crisis in East Valley: Train Derailment Causes Mysterious Changes in Wildlife and Teens

A freight train derailment in East Valley, Ohio, has unleashed thousands of gallons of industrial chemicals into the local ecosystem, sparking alarming changes in both wildlife and high school students. The incident, which occurred near the town’s high school and a picturesque lake, has left the community in shock and scientists baffled. While some animals, like deer and foxes, are showing signs of accelerated development similar to the teens, other species, such as water fleas and certain fish, remain unaffected. This puzzling disparity has raised urgent questions about the chemicals’ impact and why they target some organisms but not others.

Students at East Valley High School are experiencing rapid puberty-like changes, including sudden growth spurts, hormonal fluctuations, and other physical transformations. "It's like watching a time-lapse video of my child growing up," said Emily Walsh, a concerned parent whose son grew two inches in just a few weeks and is experiencing debilitating acne. Dr. Lydia Thompson, a biologist at the nearby State University, confirmed the phenomenon, stating, "This is not just a case of late bloomers; it’s an alarming pattern that demands immediate investigation."

Meanwhile, local wildlife is exhibiting similar changes. Adolescent deer and foxes are growing at an unprecedented rate, with some showing signs of early sexual maturity. However, other species, like water fleas and certain reptile populations, appear completely unaffected. "This disparity is deeply puzzling," said Dr. James Porter, a biologist studying the lake. "It suggests that the chemicals are interacting differently with various species, but we don’t yet understand why."

The East Valley community is demanding answers. Residents are calling for transparency from the rail company and local government, urging immediate environmental assessments and health screenings for affected individuals and wildlife. "This isn’t just about a train derailment; it’s about our health and the future of our children," said local councilman Mark Hughes during a tense town hall meeting.

In response, local officials have launched a collaboration with environmental agencies and health organizations to monitor the situation. Testing of water sources, soil, and local flora is underway, with results expected in the coming weeks. Community organizers are also rallying for funding to support an independent study, hoping to uncover the long-term impacts of the spill.

Reading #2

Asexual and Sexual Reproduction

Adapted from Cengage Page 350 to 351

Sexual reproduction is a process in which offspring are produced by two parents and inherit genes from both. All organisms pass genetic information to their offspring through either asexual reproduction or sexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction combines genetic information from two parents. This mixing creates genetic variation. Genetic diversity is usually helpful because populations with more variation are often better able to survive environmental changes than populations with little variation.

Asexual reproduction produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent. Because of this, populations that reproduce asexually often have low genetic diversity. An organism that reproduces asexually passes all of its genes to each of its offspring. The offspring are essentially clones because they have the same alleles as the parent. In sexual reproduction, each parent passes about half of its genes to the offspring.

In a stable environment that does not change much, producing identical offspring can be a successful strategy. Alleles that help an organism survive and reproduce will likely help its offspring survive as well. However, most environments change over time. When individuals in a population are genetically identical, they may all be vulnerable to the same challenges. In changing environments, genetic diversity gives sexually reproducing populations an advantage.

There are also benefits to asexual reproduction. Because organisms do not need to find a mate or perform mating behaviors, they can use more energy for growth and reproduction. They also do not need to spend time searching for a partner.

Sexual reproduction mixes the genetic information from two parents with different alleles. The offspring inherit different combinations of these alleles. As a result, offspring are different from each other and from their parents. Some offspring may have traits that help them survive new environmental challenges. Because of this, populations that reproduce sexually often have a better chance of surviving environmental change than populations made up of clones. However, sexual reproduction requires two individuals, which can slow population growth. Finding mates, competing for them, and performing courtship behaviors also require time and energy.

Directions 

Step 1) Popcorn the article with your group (Read one paragraph each and rotate)

Step 2) Complete the Venn Diagram comparing the benefits and negatives of sexual vs asexual reproduction. 

Directions: Choose ONE of the problems below to answer. They vary in difficulty.