La Cosa Nostra Essay -- essays research papers fc

La Cosa Nostra Perhaps one of the most poignant moments in American cinema is the closing scene in the film â€Å"The Godfather† when Don Vito Corleone’s son Michael takes over his father’s position... and one of the most unforgettable moments, a severed horses’s head lies bloody in a man’s bed. It is this tradition and brutality that characterizes the Mafia, a secret Sicilian society that lives and functions just as much today on American soil as it did and does still in Italy. To understand this organized crime, one must begin to understand how it came to be organized in the first place. During the medieval times in Sicily, Arabs invaded the land and native Sicilians fled and took refuge in the hills. Some of these refugees formed a secret society that gave protection to the people in exchange for money. This group took their name, â€Å"Mafia† based on the Arabic word for refuge. In America today, one can hear it also be called â€Å"La C osa Nostra†, or â€Å"This Thing of Ours.† In the 1700s,Wealthy people would receive a card with a black hand drawn on and if they did not pay the money, they could expect murder, theft, and violence. During the time Mussolini was ruling Italy, this secret society was under heavy persecution and many fled to the United States. â€Å"Don (term for the boss or head of a Mafia family) Vito Cascio Ferro fled to the United States in 1901 to escape arrest. He is known as the Father of American Mafia.† (La Cosa Nostra) Many Italian immigrants came to the United States through Ellis Island in New York, which is today the most important center of organized Mafia crime in the United States. The new American Mafia came to power during the Prohibition by organizing the sale of outlawed alcohol, but after Prohibition was revoked, the Mafia needed a new â€Å"racket.† During the war, the Mafia got government issued ration stamps and sold them on the black market. These days the Mafia is involved in running prostitution, unions, construction, and gambling. New York, also called the â€Å"City that never sleeps,† houses the Five Families of New York. These Families are highly influential and powerful crime families and each holds claim to certain â€Å"rackets.† The Five Families are: Gambino, Bonano, Lucchese, Colombo, and Genovese. While all people in the Mafia are required to maintain certain silence about the workings of the Family, a code of silence called â€Å"Omerta,† d... ...si in America as it was in Sicily. â€Å"Say what you will about me, but don’t think it applies to my family.† (Godfather II) The Mafia, a group of stylized criminals, exists as a hidden power in our world today and shall remain to do so into the new millenium by controlling underground markets and making this world an offer they can’t refuse. Bibliography The Godfather. Dir. Francis Ford Coppola. Perf. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan. Paramount, 1972. The Godfather, Part II. Dir. Francis Ford Coppola. Perf. Al Pacino, Robert Duvall. Paramount, 1974 â€Å"La Cosa Nostra.† Online. World Wide Web. 4 June 1999. Available http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/9880/index.html La Vien, Douglas and Papa, Juliet . (1993) The Mafia Handbook. Penguin Books. Machi, Mario. â€Å"Mario’s Mafia Page.† Online. World Wide Web. 4 June 1999. Available http://www.naxs.com/people/mmachi/mafia Malta, J. Geoff. â€Å"The Godfather Trilogy.† Online. World Wide Web. 1 June 1999. Available http://www.jgeoff.com/godfather.html Wiseguy & Company, Inc. â€Å"Unofficial Homepage of the New York Mafia.† Online. World Wide Web. 4 June 1999. Available http://www.users.aol.com/whizkid01/index.html Word Count: 1132

Ib Biology Hl Notes

Genes and Genetics 1. 2. each chromosome exists as two genetically identical chromatids attached to their centromere. Each chromosome appears as two chromatids attached to a centromere. In the first meiotic division chromosomes align in homologous pairs. Points of contact form between members of the same homologous pair. The points of contact or crossing over between members of a homologous pair are the chiasmata. 3. The homologous pairs move to the equator of the cell. Equal lengths of the chromatids of the same homologous pair have broken off and crossed over. The chromosomes align at random and independantly.Only one possible arrangement is shown. 4. Homologous pairs align at random at the equator of the cell. This shows the early separation of the chromosomes of each of the homologous pairs. 5. Homologous pairs are separated. This shows the cell at an early stage of meiotic division. The cell membrane is starting to pinch inwards. 6. The cell divides to form two cells each with a haploid set of chromosomes. Cell division is complete and two cells containing a haploid set of chromosomes are formed. 7. In the second meiotic division the chromosomes in each cell align independently and randomly at the equator of the cell. . The chromatids in each cell are separated. The chromatids are pulled towards the opposite poles of the cell. 9. The cells divide. The cell membrane is starting to pinch inwards. 10. Cell division is complete, resulting in the formation of four cells each with the haploid number. 11. Meiosis – Functions ? ? Halving the chromosome number – meiosis consists of two nuclear divisions (meiosis I and meiosis II) but the chromosomes replicate once. Producing four daughter cells. Each are haploid Producing Genetic Variety – through prophase I and through random assortment during metaphase I.In addition, random fertilisation also produces variety since any gamete has an equal chance on combining. Crossing Over – during pro phase one, homologous chromosomes combine to form bivalent so maternal and paternal chromosomes are adjacent. Homologous pairs contain same genes but different alleles. They line up and non-sister chromatids break then they rejoin in corresponding position on other chromatid. Region this occurs is called the chiasma (chiasmata). Point where this is in random but not all chromatids form a chiasma and some dont happen at all. Therefore, chromatids keep alleles.Monohybrid and Dihybrid Inheritance0 There Codominance – both alleles have an effect on a phenotype neither allele is recessive multiple allels – 3 alleles in blood typed these are Ia , Ib and ‘i' (Io) these 3 alleles make up the phenotype and genotypes in the blood gene. Sex Link Genes Autosome (normal chromosome) pairs are said to be linked. Meaning they contain the same locus on a gene. HOMEWORK 2 b) Genotypes Gametes F1 Genotypes Phenotypes – AB BO A B B O AB AO BB BO AB, A, -B, B 4 b) Bw Tl Male G ametes- B,w T,l ww ll Female Gametes – w,w,l,l B w w Bw Bw w ww ww ) Polygenic inheritance of skin colour – Depends on the amount of pigment that is produced in the skin. Melanin synthesis is controlled by genes. The degree of pigmentation can range from very dark to very pale. Several genes are involved in skin colour determination and these produce continuous variation. Each gene has two alleles so there are numerous outcomes for example when three genes are involved there are seven outcomes. One allele M contributes to melanin. 7. 4. 6 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Ribosomes are made of two subunits, large and small Small subunits binds to the first codon on the mRNA.This is the initiation part of translation. The first codon is usually AUG and codes for the amino acid methionine. Large Sub-units will now bind and two binding sites for tRNA sit over the first two codons Transfer RNA with the correct with the correct anticodon will lock into the first tRNA binding site and f orm hydrodgen bonds to the first codon. The second tRNA will now enter into the second binding site as it has the correct anti-codon Each tRNA has its own specific amino acid, and now a peptide bond forms between these amino acids.This is the beginning of elongation ( joining amino acids to make a polypeptide) the first tRNA now breaks away and moves into the exit site and now the next codon has to be read. the small subunit shifts down the mRNA in a 5†² 3†² direction followed by the large subunit the second tRNA now moves down into the neighbouring binding site and the third tRNA can now move onto the mRNA and locks them to the exposed binding site another peptide bond is formed this process of the ribosome moving along the mRNA is called translocation eventually the ribosome reaches the last codon and it has no corresponding anti-codon so no tRNA will bind. This is a biological full-stop and this is termination.The ribosome sub units break apart, releasing the polypeptid e chain, which will now coil into its secondary and tertiary structures to form a protein. CroCrossing Over (p237) ? ? ? ? Crossing over occurs during prophase one. Chromosomes shorten and coil and homologous pairs of chromosomes come together form a bivalent Chromosomes ontain the same genes but have different alleles. Two segments then rejoin from broken chromatids at corresponding positions. Mendel's law of Independent assortment When gametes are formed, the separation of one pair of alleles into the new cells is independent of the separation of any other pairs. or; either pair of alleles is equally likely to be inherited with either of another pair. production but m does not making MMMMMM the darkest and mmmmmmm the palest. Polymerase chain reaction is used to copy and amplify minute quantities of DNA.It can be useful when only a small amount of DNA is available but a large amount is required to undergo testing. We can use DNA from blood, semen, tissues and so on from crime scen es for example. The PCR requires high temperature and a DNA polymerase enzyme from Thermus aquaticus (a bacterium that lives in hot springs). Sample is heated which denatures DNA and separates into two strands. Thermophlils Aquaticus is a bacterium which Polymerase increases rate of base pair creation. Replication in a few hours 4. 4. In gel electrophoresis, fragments of DNA move in an electrical field and are separated according to their size. Electric charge separatees DNA and allows to see natural variation in DNA Restriction Enzymes cut to produce varying fragment sizes. magnetic field so all DNA (-ve charged) move different distances and then are stained. this leaves a DNA profile Chamber, power supply, gel it doesn't mater 4. 4. 4 Organisms have short sequences of bases which are repeated many times. These are called satellite DNA. These repeated sequences vary in length from person to person.The DNA is copied using PCRand then cut up into small fragments using restriction enz ymes. Gel electrophoresis separates fragmented pieces of DNA according to their size and charge. This gives a pattern of bands on a gel which is unlikely to be the same for two individuals. This is called DNA profiling. DNA profiling can be used to determine paternity and also in forensic investigations to get evidence to be used in a court case for example. Human Genome ? It is now easier to study how genes influence human development. ? It helps identify genetic iseases. ? It allows the production of new drugs based on DNA base sequences of genes or the structure of proteins coded for by these genes. ? It will give us more information on the origins, evolution and migration of humans. ? 20,000 – 25,000 ? Carried out in 1990 to map entire DNA base sequence the whole genome. 3 billion pairs in 2003. ? Spots added to a solid surface. Can determine levels of thousands of genes by measuring mRNA spots on microarray. Generating profile of expression on a cell Pharmacogenomics â⠂¬â€œ drugs which target specific genomes.

The Minimum Wage Should Not Be Paid Essay - 1951 Words

The federal minimum wage shouldn’t be higher because it doesn’t contribute to society, the people of America should be paid more because an average person in today s society cannot survive, and parents can’t provide a stable environment for their children, the work being done is worth than what is being received, the underpaid are made to have multiple jobs just to make ends meet. l minimum wage has been one of the most talked about social issues since it was in was introduced in the year of 1938. To increase the federal minimum wage has pros as well as cons. I believe that the increase of minimum wage would not only give more people motivation but it can increase the livelihoods of individuals in poverty and strengthen business and the economy all at once. The average American in the today s society cannot live off of $7.25 an hour. In cities, such as New York, the cost of living is far too high for a minimum wage pay rate. Jobs that pay minimum wage are paid bi -weekly, those people that are paid bi-weekly have a tough first week, and it can also make the following week after that hard as well. The average American household spends about $151 every week on groceries, that amount will consist of about half of a person s check if they are paid minimum wage seeing as how during a full 40 hour work week they make $290 dollars not to mention the breaks that they are required to clock out for so the average person doesn’t even see a whole 40 hours in a week full-time orShow MoreRelatedMinimum Wage Should Be Paid2347 Words   |  10 Pagesthemselves, solely on the income from a minimum wage job. With federal minimum wage sitting just over seven dollars an hour, those tasked with budgeting these kind of meager earnings have begun to question why they dont deserve more pay. Some states have their own laws with discretion over minimum wage pay, and 29 states and DC all currently have minimum wage standards higher than the federal standard, but not necessarily by much. Those working labor jobs, where minimum wage is the compensation they receiveRead MoreMinimum Wage Should Not Be Paid Essay1910 Words   |  8 PagesIn 1938 congress instituted minimum wage with 25 cents an hour being the first wage. After 78 years seven dollars has been the increase of minimum wage, stated by the article listed on, Heritage.org . Every year the cost of living and surviving in this country increases. You would think after 78 years, minimum wage would not be at $7.25. Many college students work part-time jobs that pays minimum wage to have some extra cash in their pockets or pay a few minor bills. Having a part time job is perfectlyRead MoreThe Minimum Wage Should Be Paid845 Words   |  4 Pagesearning the increased minimum salary to earn the same amount of compensation as CEO Doug McMillon. The answer? It would take more than 2.8 million hours of earning $9 per hour to reach the roughly $25.6 million in compensation McMillon earned in 2014, his first year on the job.† (Huddleston) This is just one glimpse into the reality of the problem America is facing by not raising the minimum wage and investing money back into Americans. Arizona s lack of action to raise minimum wage from $8.05 keepsRead MoreShould The Minimum Wage Be Paid?993 Words   |  4 PagesMany case in USA suffering from the very low hourly payment according to Talk poverty: As wages go down, the percentage of workers relying on public assistance gets higher: 60 percent of workers earning less than $7.42—only slightly higher than the $7.25 federal minimum wage—receive some form of means-tested public assistance. Overall, 70 percent of the benefits in programs meant to aid non-elderly low-income households—programs like food stamps, Medicaid, and the Earned Income Tax Credits—go toRead MoreShould Minimum Wage Be Paid?903 Words   |  4 Pagescandidate for this years election, recently claimed that wages are too high in America. One may wonder if he was lost in some so rt of day dream or maybe he was talking about his own wages? As someone who has never had to worry about money, considering his families wealthy background, how would he possibly know what its like to live barely get by living off the federal minimum wage? Consider someone who is able to work a full time job being paid minimum wage, after taxes are taken out of their paycheck theyRead MoreThe Effects Of Minimum Wage On The Economy1391 Words   |  6 PagesThe Effects Minimum Wage on the Economy The controversial topic about increasing minimum wage is debated countless times over the years. Minimum wage is the lowest wage an employer can pay an employee permitted by law. The contemporary federal minimum wage is $7.25. Minimum wage applies to all domestic workers but teenagers are the main receivers of minimum wage. Minimum wage has a major effect on the economy. The question is are the effects positive or negative. There are many arguments on whetherRead MoreMinimum Wage Should Be Raised?958 Words   |  4 PagesMinimum Wage Louis Montgomery III English Composition 101 Mrs. Blackwell April 23, 2015 Minimum Wage Do minimum wage jobs help pay the bills? Do minimum wage jobs support the family? Should minimum wage be raised? Will raising the minimum wage reduce poverty? The idea of minimum wage jobs is to help people get work experience without having any skills. Most minimum wage jobs include fast food restaurants and grocery stores. Minimum wageRead MoreEffects Of Minimum Wage In South Africa708 Words   |  3 Pagesrelates back to the minimum wage. Minimum wage, defined by Google, is the lowest wage permitted by law or by a special agreement. This raises many questions such as: Is it fair to pay everyone the same minimum wage even though their jobs are different? Many people believe that the minimum wage should not exist and that people should get paid according to the work which they do. The minimum wage is a good law, I believe. A huge percentage of the labour force was paid an hourly wage equal to or belowRead MoreWhy The Minimum Wage Should Be Raised?1410 Words   |  6 Pagesraised the minimum wage to $7.25. However, six years later the minimum wage rage remains the same. It is time once again for the federal government to raise the minimum wage to spur the economy. Raising the minimum wage would help the American economy and the daily life of the citizens for a variety of reasons. The first topic is that it not only would help the people but it also would help the economy as a whole. The second topic is that companies are already raising the minimum wage because ofRead MoreThe Minimum Wage Should Be Legal905 Words   |  4 PagesRise in minimum wage has several impacts apart from unemployment. The minimum-wage workers would have to pay more taxes and receive fewer benefits if they are subjected to rise of minimum wage. The federal marginal rate for tax is 32 percent on an average for low earning mem bers. This would amount to almost one third of the income of a worker. The tax rate is quite high for low paid workers. The rise of minimum wage would also reduce some of the advantages and leverages that the low-wage workers