Traits And Heredity (Genetics Homework)

While reading "What is Heredity?" and "What is a trait?", I learned two very important facts. I already knew what a trait was, a notable feature in a person that makes them unique, but I learned something else. I never knew that there were only three types of traits. There are physical traits, characteristics of one's body(hair color, height...), behavioral traits, characteristics of how you act, and finally predisposition to a medical disease, a risk of a child getting a certain disease that can be passed on. From "What is Heredity?", I found out that humans have two sets of 23 chromosomes. When parents conceive a child, they each give a set to the child. Therefore, the child gets some of the same traits as the parents.

Robotic Clam

Mechanical engineers are working on robotic clams that one day will help dig up and detonate buried underwater mines. They could also serve as robot subs or deep-sea oil drilling. The robots are being designed after the razor clam because it is one of nature's best diggers. The clam digs with two motions. One is pushing upwards with its foot and a synchronized push down. Inspired by this, researchers have created a simple robot about half the size and are testing it in the salt water of Cape Cod. The experiments show that it digs as fast as the real one. It is small light weight and does not use a lot of energy. The clam equally works as well in sand, mud, and cohesive soil. As well as exploding mines, it was suggested that it could serve as a light weight anchor that could dig itself into submarines.
          I think that this idea is really good. This clam will help detonate mines and even help with underwater scientific research. Also, it is good that they designed it after another clam because it would make it easier to build the robot. They would have to just rebuild the parts on the clam. All in all, i think that the RoboClam is a good idea and will help scientists to complete research.