Lecture Enrichment Ideas - Chapter 35

35.1. Exponential Population Growth

The strategy described earlier for cell growth can also be used here. In the legendary Grand Vizier's reward for inventing chess, place one grain on the first square of a chess board, double it on the second, etc., for 64 iterations, and add them all up. The number is quite large (2⁶⁴ - 1). This rapid growth curve is very important and useful in growing vats of Penicillium, etc.

35.2. Human Population Growth

Note that mainland China has an effective one-child policy (except in rural areas) but the population continues to grow due to better health care and the increase in women entering reproductive years. As a result, PRC has recently increased age for marriage certificate from 24-25 to 27-28. Query students whether they could wait that long to get married. But can they think of any other practical way to curb population growth?

35.3. Human Population and Pollution

Discuss slash-and-burn practices of early pioneers in colonial United States. Ask students if it is fair to other countries to ask them to not develop through the same stages.

Not all environmental predictors are "doom and gloom." Air pollution is less than in the 1960s; older students may be able to volunteer comments on air conditions at that time, if they lived in cities.

35.4. A Sustainable World

Consequences of a sustainable world philosophy will impinge directly on student's life-style decisions. Query students on their willingness to pay more for products to include the cost of their disposal, etc., and the consequences of not moving to sustainable practices.
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