Nanotechnology and Human Health

Appendix B- Materials for Lesson #2 - 1.The Biology of B- Movie Monsters Questions

SESSION 1: Biology and Geometry Collide

1. What is "scaling"?
2. Answer the following question- What does math have to do with science?
3. What is the relationship between surface area and volume as an object's size increases?
4. How does the concept of surface area-to volume ratio apply to living organisms? Give some specific examples.
5. What are the three physical forces that apply to biology and geometry that are listed in this article?
6. When discussing the properties of water -cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension are listed. Give specific examples of how these properties can be observed in living organisms.
7. Based on gravitational and inertial forces as discussed in the article, why would a bird break its neck if it flies into a window, but the fly would bounce back without injury?
8. Why did the author call movie makers in Hollywood "hopelessly naïve"?
9. List some examples of movies that you have seen in which organisms where larger or smaller than real-life. What characteristics made them more interesting than if they had been shown in there more realistic state?
10. After completing this unit, do you think you will view "monster movies" in the same light? Explain why or why not.

SESSION 2: A World Distorted Beyond Your Imagination

1. What is metabolism? How is the Incredible Shrinking Man's metabolism going to be affected by shrinking by a factor of 70? List at least 4 examples.
2. n the contest between the man and the spider, who would have the advantage? Explain why.
3. What happened to the unsuspecting visitors in Dr. Cyclops?
4. Why did these small visitors not have to be concerned about climbing up or down the now massive-sized furniture?
5. What is velocity? What is terminal velocity? How are these forces affected by gravitational forces?
6. What is kinetic energy? Why is being small a good thing in regards to kinetic energy?
7. According to the article, what are two science-based methods of shrinking objects or monsters? Why would neither of these not be a feasible option in reducing size?
8. What other obstacles of being small did you observe in the video clips?
9. List some adaptations you would have to make if you were reduced in size like the Shrinking Man?
10. What is meant by the following statement, "…it's not the fall that hurts you, it's the sudden stop at the end…"

SESSION 3: The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall

1. Explain why many large terrestrial animals are now extinct.
2. What are some of the major flaws in the movie monster King Kong?
3. List two factors that affect the strength of bones.
4. How do the does the change in an animal's posture reflect the bone's ability to support the animal?
5. How would King Kong's size affect his metabolism? Was this behavior observed in the video clip?
6. List some specific obstacles you would have to face if you were 50 percent larger.
7. List some movies that you have seen in which the characters were "larger than life". What interested you about these characters?
8. In session three the author states, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall". Explain how this statement relates to the biology of structure fitting function in living organisms.
9. Consider the Giant Sequoias trees- how are these plants adapted to grow and function at such massive sizes?
10. How do aquatic animals such as Blue Whales physically adapt in their own unique habitats?