Biology @ TASIS

Modeling Natural Selection

2012-03-05T16:41:00.000+01:00

Today students modeled natural selection with the Clipbirds Investigation.

Tomorrow G period will complete this activity and C period will begin to learn about speciation.

Evolution Arms Race

2012-02-24T07:44:00.001+01:00

As we continue to learn about microevolution, we watched PBS's Evolution Arms Race. Students answered guided questions and wrote their own questions which we used for a discussion.

When we return from Academic Travel we will be shifting our focus from microevolution to macroevolution.

How populations evolve

2012-02-21T14:25:00.000+01:00

Today we brainstormed ideas about some of the evidence that validates the evolutionary view of life. For part 1 of your homework: look up information on the four key terms on the first page of the packet. What does a person study if they are in the field of comparative embryology? What is an example of a homology? What do homologies tell us about the relationship between species?

Darwin proposed natural selection as a mechanism of evolution, as it turns out there are four parts of evolution. However, since your book starts with Natural Selection, that's where we will begin.

To see natural selection in action we read a case study about microevolution in a specie of crickets in Hawaii.

Attack of the Mutant Crickets!!!

"Attack of the flesh-eating parasitoid maggots!! Mutant mute crickets run rampant in tropical paradise!! The headlines may sound like a trailer for a cheap horror flick — but in fact, these sensationalist sound bites accurately describe the situation on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The "flesh-eating parasitoid maggots" are the offspring of the fly, Ormia ochracea, which invaded Hawaii from North America, and the mutant crickets are the flies' would-be victims. The flies follow the chirps of a calling cricket and then deposit a smattering of wriggling maggots onto the cricket's back. The maggots burrow into the cricket, and emerge, much fatter, a week later — killing the cricket in the process. But this fall, biologists Marlene Zuk, John Rotenberry, and Robin Tinghitella announced a breakdown in business-as-usual in this gruesome interaction: in just a few years, the crickets of Kauai have evolved strategy to avoid becoming a maggot's lunch — but the strategy comes at a cost... " Want to read more or see the article with color photos? Click here.

If you did not finish your summary of the case study in class you need to do that for homework as well. Not sure where to start for you summary, think of how this case study is an example of natural selection.

Lastly, define the terms/concepts on page six of the packet.

Test Review

2012-02-16T12:11:00.002+01:00

Today students created their own jeopardy review questions on the DNA structure and replication, as well as transcription and translation. We used the mini whiteboards for each pair to write their answers down. Next week we will begin learning about evolution. As we do this, remember this cartoon:

Your test has the following question types: multiple choice, fill in the blank, true/false, short answer and one essay.

Transcription & Translation Worksheet

2012-02-15T10:25:00.001+01:00

For homework, G period should finish the worksheet from class today. The codon chart is on page 303 in your book and it is also posted below.

C period: We reviewed in class today and G period we will review tomorrow for your test on Friday.

Expanding on Transcription & Translation

2012-02-14T15:54:00.001+01:00

Today we continued our work on Transcription & Translation.

G period homework: complete the worksheet (both sides). The colors you use do not matter, so long as you are consistent.

C period homework: complete the transcription and translation sheet from class today. HINT: rRNA is the RNA component of a ribosome.

Transcription & Translation

2012-02-13T18:22:00.000+01:00

Today students had a homework quiz on the basics of transcription & translation. After the quiz we went into more detail about how the process works.

Homework: Complete the worksheet (front and back). Be sure to take care in using complementary base pairs for the DNA strand. The colors you use don't matter, so long as you are consistent.

Reminder: You will have a test on DNA structure, replication and transcription / translation on Friday.

Homework for the Weekend

2012-02-10T15:44:00.002+01:00

Today in class you made some great posters to review the structure of DNA and how DNA replicates. Here is your homework for the weekend:

You will be learning about transcription and translation. You have a choice in how you learn this information.

You can:

* Read pages 300-306 in your book
* Play this game from Utah Genetics
* Watch this video from the DNA Learning Center (more advanced)

You should take notes because you will have a short quiz in class on Monday (or Tuesday for G period).

DNA Replication

2012-02-07T20:44:00.003+01:00

Today we started DNA replication. We used this animation to help us learn the basics and it is what you need to complete the homework.

Watch the Mechanisms of DNA replication below. Without the sound can you identify which is the leading strand and which is the lagging strand?

Gel Electrophoresis Pictures

2012-02-07T11:30:00.001+01:00

Today G period practiced using gel electrophoresis and got great results! After practicing micro-pipetting and learning how to read the 2-20uL and 20-200uL pipettes, students were ready to decide what color (or mixture) of colors to load in their gels (the ideal volume for the wells is 8uL). Check out the pictures of the set up below.

Materials for the lab (and our class mascot).

A gel loaded and ready to be run.

The new BioRad Power Packs are amazing! We ran two gels at a time for 18 minutes, at 300V and had great results.

Even after only two minutes, you can start to see the green dye in lane 1 has separated out into blue and yellow dye.

A finished gel after 18 minutes at 300V.

Notice how the black food coloring is actually made out of orange and purple dye. Can you determine which molecules of dye are the largest and which are the smallest?

Marcela records her results.

Antonia and Milly record their results.

Gel Electrophoresis

2012-02-06T16:15:00.001+01:00

Today students learned how to use micropipettes as well as how to run gel electrophoresis. Tomorrow's post (from G period) will have pictures and a more in depth summary of the lab.

There is no homework tonight :)

Strawberry DNA Extraction

2012-02-01T15:37:00.000+01:00

Today we extracted DNA from strawberries and had great results!

C period Homework: Complete the gel electrophoresis virtual lab. Click here to link to the virtual lab. Take notes on gel electrophoresis. You will have a short reading quiz on Friday before we actually do gel electrophoresis.

G period: No homework (unless you want to do the virtual lab, so you don't have homework on Thursday night).

Classical Genetics & Meiosis Test

2012-01-31T13:16:00.000+01:00

Today both classes had a test on classical genetics and meiosis. Tomorrow we will be extracting DNA from strawberries. This can be a bit messy and the strawberry juice will stain your clothes, so it's best to to wear clothes can get dirty.

Test Review

2012-01-28T13:56:00.002+01:00

On Friday students worked on a review packet for their test on Genetics & Meiosis on Tuesday January 31st.

On Monday we will be starting our next unit on DNA.

Mutations and Baby Dragons for G period

2012-01-26T12:18:00.000+01:00

Today G period learned about various types of mutations as well as created their baby dragons. Dragons and the questions at the back of the packet are due tomorrow in class. Please answer the questions on a separate sheet of paper and each person should answer the questions as well as draw his/her own dragon.

Tomorrow we will recap what we have learned about genetics.

Nondisjunction Disorders

2012-01-25T13:36:00.001+01:00

Today students did a jigsaw activity to learn about six different types of nondisjunction disorders:
* Down Syndrome
* Edward's Syndrome
* Patau Syndrome
* Klinefelter Syndrome
* Turner Syndrome
* XYY Syndrome

Karyotype of a female with Trisomy 21 from Nature.ca

For homework, complete the vocabulary self evaluation on page 12 of your packet.

Below is a graph for the incidence of Down Syndrome relative to the age of the mother during pregnancy.

Read more about Down Syndrome testing in this New York Times article.

Baby Dragons!

2012-01-24T20:24:00.000+01:00

C period made baby dragons today in class. G period will do this activity on Thursday.

C period - answer the questions on the last page of the packet (use a separate sheet of paper to write your answers). You also need to draw your dragon. Each person should draw his/her own dragon.

G period - read about TSD in the post below and answer the questions.

Gene Linkage, Sex Chromosomes and Mutations

2012-01-23T15:09:00.001+01:00

Today (or tomorrow for G period) we worked on pages 7-9 of the packet. However, not all species have sex chromosomes. We talked about sex determination in wasps and tonight for homework, you will learn about the effects that temperature can play on sex determination.

1. Read this article from Davidson.edu on temperature dependent sex determination

2. Answer the following questions:

a. What is the difference between GSD and ESD?

b. What is TSD?

c. Do humans exhibit GSD or ESD?

d. Give two examples of organisms which lack sex chromosomes.

e. What are the two patterns of TSD?

f. Global temperatures have been rising. What effects could this have on crocodilians and some species of turtles?

Photo Credit Here

Meoisis I

2012-01-20T15:49:00.001+01:00

Today we started to learn about Meiosis.

Homework:

Draw the stages of Meiosis II. Make sure to label the centrioles in at least one picture. Draw these pictures at the top of page 7 in your packet.

http://images.tutorvista.com/content/cell-reproduction/meiosisii-stage.jpeg

Homework for Friday

2012-01-19T14:22:00.000+01:00

G period - complete the vocab for pages 1 - 4.

Both classes:

Read and take notes on section 11-4 in your book (starting on page 275) for a reading quiz. Focus on the key concepts and vocabulary. To help focus your notes, consider answering the section assessment questions on page 278. NOTE: Drawings of the stages of meiosis are NOT required for the reading quiz. We will be doing an activity in class on Friday where we work with the stages of meiosis and spend time drawing them.

Still struggling? Sing along to the Meiosis Square Dance Video!

Variations on Mendel

2012-01-18T16:52:00.001+01:00

G period:
Today we completed page 3 in the packet and learned about test crosses and pedigrees. Spoiler Alert! If you haven't seen the last Harry Potter movie, this pedigree will ruin the end for you.

It's not very efficient to draw complete portraits for a pedigree. Instead scientists uses symbols (circles or squares) and shade them in to designate if an individual is affected, unaffected or a carrier.

G Period Homework - Read the post below for information on amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.

C period:
Today we completed page 5 in the packet and learned about variations on Mendel's principles: incomplete dominance, codominance, pleiotropy and polygenic inheritance.

C period homework: Read section 11-4 (starting on page 275) and take notes for a reading quiz. Keep the main points of the reading in mind. You do not need to draw the stages of meiosis, we will do an activity for this in class.

Amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling

2012-01-17T20:29:00.001+01:00

C period - please read over the information below. Also, in the space at the bottom on page 4 in the packet write out all of the vocabulary you have seen in pages 1-4.

Genetic Testing & Counseling -
We will touch more on this topic later on, but for now you should be aware of two types of tests that can be done during pregnancy to look for genetic disorders.

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is the removal of a small piece oftissue (chorionic villi) from the uterus during early pregnancy to screen thebaby for genetic defects.

These two tests are amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.

Welcome Back to Genetics!

2012-01-16T14:40:00.002+01:00

Today we completed pages 1 & 2 of the Mendelian Genetics Packet. C period complete the following problems for class on Tuesday. G period complete the problems for Wednesday.

Today we started chapter 11. Below are your homework problems. You do not need to write out the problems, just the answers.

A. For each genotype, indicate whether it is heterozygous (HE) or homozygous (HO)

1. AA ____
2. Bb ____
3. Cc ____
4. Dd ____

5. Ee ____
6. ff ____
7. GG ____
8. HH ____

B. For each of the genotypes below, determine the phenotype.
Purple flowers are dominant to white flowers
9. PP ___________________________
10. Pp ___________________________
11. pp ___________________________
Brown eyes are dominant to blue eyes
12. BB ___________________________
13. Bb ___________________________
14. bb ___________________________

C. For each phenotype, list the genotypes.
(Remember to use the letter of the dominant trait)

Straight hair is dominant to curly.
15. ____________ straight
16. ____________ straight
17. ____________ curlyPointed heads are dominant to round heads.
18. ____________ pointed
19. ____________ pointed
20. ____________ round

D. Set up the square for each of the crosses listed below.
The trait being studied is round seeds (dominant) and wrinkled seeds (recessive)

21. Rr x rr 22. What percentage of the offspring will be round? ___________
23. Rr x Rr24. What percentage of the offspring will be round? ___________
25. RR x Rr26. What percentage of the offspring will be round? ___________

E. A TT (tall) plant is crossed with a tt (short plant).
What percentage of the offspring will be tall? ___________

Videos & Discussions

2011-12-14T09:07:00.000+01:00

This week we have been watching video clips and discussing the effects of drugs on the people's physical, psychological, social and emotional health. We watched Frontline's investigation from May 2011.

We have also been watching clips from the episode of Intervention-In Depth, "Heroin Hits Home." The Intervention episode tells the story of four high school students who started taking OxyContin and transitioned to heroin.

When we return from ski week we will start our unit on Genetics.

How does drug abuse begin?

2011-12-09T13:58:00.001+01:00

After defining the difference between a drug and a medicine, students worked with data from an experiment on self-adminstration of drugs in rats. Moving forward students read a case study comparing two individuals and were asked who was addicted to drugs. We wrapped up class by watching a clip from National Geographic Explorer "A Heroin Addict Speaks."And in case you still had any notions that drugs will increase your popularity / appearance or give you any other benefits, click the picture below to link to a gallery of the faces of meth.

Drugs alter the chemistry of the brain

2011-12-09T09:47:00.001+01:00

In our last class we talked about how drugs alter the chemistry of the brain, specifically by blocking the protein channels that would otherwise reabsorb dopamine.

The picture above shows how methamphetamine disrupts this process. We have also talked about how different routes of administration result in different levels of chemicals in the body.

Today we discussed the differences between drugs and medicines as well as Drug Abuse Is Voluntary; Addiction Is Compulsive.

How neurotransmission works

2011-12-06T15:51:00.001+01:00

Today we talked about how neurotransmission works. We watched the clip below, click it to link to the animation.

For homework G period should read section 35.2 and take notes for a reading quiz. C period should should complete the worksheet and use the animation below to help you.

Starting Drugs, Brain & Behavior

2011-12-05T20:35:00.001+01:00

Today we started drugs, brain and behavior. Not wanting to give too much away for G period, all I'll post here is C period's homework:

Read section 35.2 and take notes for a reading quiz.

Mitosis, Cell Cycle & Cancer Quiz

2011-12-02T15:08:00.001+01:00

Today students had a quiz on mitosis, the cell cycle and cancer. In addition to the written part of the quiz students had a skills assessment where they needed to find anaphase in a plant cell using a light microscope.

Next week we will be starting the NIH's Drugs, Brain and Behavior unit.

Study Guides and Practicing with Microscopes

2011-11-30T13:17:00.001+01:00

Today and tomorrow students worked on making their study guides to review for the Cell Cycle/Mitosis and Cancer quiz on Friday.

Here's what you need to know:
All the stages of the cycle cycle, the order and what the stages of mitosis look like
The differences in cytokinesis between plant and animal cells
Information from the cancer packet (the questions you answered)
What angiogenesis is and how it is related to cancer.

In addition to the content, you will be tested on your microscope skills. I will ask you to find one of the stages in Mitosis using slide of plant cells. You will have two attempts to do this successfully. Each attempt can take no more than five minutes. This will count as a pass / fail laboratory grade.

Angiogensis & Cancer

2011-11-28T16:59:00.001+01:00

Today ( for C period, tomorrow for G period), we reviewed the cancer reading. After working in groups to compare the answers to the questions, we watched the TED talk below. "TED is a nonprofit dedicated to Ideas Worth Spreading" to learn more about TED click here.

Click here to search through their library of talks. Imagine how well informed you could be if you spent 20 minutes less per day on Facebook or playing Angry Birds, and instead watched / listened to a TED talk!

Cancer & The Cell Cycle

2011-11-24T13:04:00.001+01:00

Today we started to learn about Cancer & the Cell Cycle. Students worked in co-operatively in groups to come up with answers to questions about Cancer. Students complied a list of questions (see below) as a class.

Many of these questions will be answered in the reading you do over the weekend, and the questions you answer. The remaining unanswered questions will be addressed next week.

Questions we have:
1. What is the difference between a sign and a symptom?
2. Is cancer genetic?
3. What happens to your cells when you have cancer?
4. How do the number of deaths from cancer compare to other diseases?
5. How makes a cell sick?
6. How does cancer spread?
7. How quickly can cancer grow?
8. Can your emotional health impact your battle with cancer?
9. When do you call it cancer and when do you call it a tumor?
10. Are all types of cancer treatable or curable?
11. Which type of cancer causes the most deaths in the U.S.?
12. Which type of cancer is the most deadly?
13. What is the chance that a person gets cancer?
14. What does chemo involve?
15. Are all types of cancer malignant?

Mitosis & Microscopes Day 2

2011-11-23T13:37:00.001+01:00

Today students worked on using microscopes to identify the stages of mitosis in onion cells and white fish blastula.

C period homework for Monday: You have been emailed a four page reading on cancer. You need to read this and answer the questions on the last page. You should bring your answers to class on Monday. The answers do not need to be typed.

G period: You have no homework.

http://kvhs.nbed.nb.ca/gallant/biology/mitosis_phases.jpg

Mitosis & Microscopes

2011-11-22T08:04:00.001+01:00

After completing the reading quiz on 10.1 / 10.2 and reviewing the open notes test from Friday, students used light microscopes to look at slides of plant cells under going mitosis.

Onion root tip cells undergoing mitosis (http://tinyurl.com/c42amb3)

There is no homework for tonight.

Next Topic: The Cell Cycle & Cancer

2011-11-19T14:40:00.001+01:00

Yesterday you had an open notes test on Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration. Next week we will be starting the Cell Cycle & Cancer. How do our cells divide? Is there a link between how our cells divide and cancer? These are just some of the questions we'll be addressing next week.

C period classwork:

Mr. Schiff is your sub and he knows that you need to read sections 10.1 and 10.2 as well as take notes. There is a worksheet to help you review these sections. You will have a reading quiz in class on Wednesday.

Open Notes Test Tomorrow

2011-11-17T14:16:00.001+01:00

Tomorrow you will have an open notes test on cellular respiration and photosynthesis.

G Period: Homework for class on Tuesday: you need to read sections 10.1 and 10.2. Take notes for a reading quiz. Mr. Freddy will give you a handout to help you organize your notes. NB: Completing only the handout is not sufficient, you still need to read 10.1 and 10.2 & take notes.

C period: Please bring your textbook to class on Monday.

Krebs Cycle & the ETC

2011-11-16T20:43:00.001+01:00

Today G period learned about the Krebs Cycle and C period wrapped up cellular respiration by learning about the ETC. Click on the tab at the top of the blog "Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration" for links to helpful animations.

On Friday you will have an open notes test on Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration, so make sure you bring your notebook to class!

Starting Cellular Respiration

2011-11-14T15:09:00.001+01:00

Today (or tomorrow for G period) we started cellular respiration by playing team trivia to take notes. For homework (C Period) please read and take notes on pages 221-225. You will have a reading quiz on Tuesday. G period you will complete this assignment for Wednesday.

We also listened to a song from Muscles and Magnets titled "Oxidative Phosphorylation." Click on the lyrics below to link to the song file.

Don't forget that your lab write up is due Wednesday as well!

Elodea & Snails Lab Report Rubric

2011-11-11T12:19:00.001+01:00

Now that you have had the chance to analyze your results and discuss weaknesses/limitations and improvements, it's time to write a lab report. Your lab report is due Wednesday November 16th at the start of class. You must bring a printed copy to class. The rubric is posted below and it has also been emailed to you. Click on the picture to make it larger.

Elodea & Snails.... 48 hours later

2011-11-11T12:18:00.001+01:00

Today students examined the results from their Elodea & Snails experiments. Let's see what happened...

Elodea & Snails Lab

2011-11-10T08:30:00.002+01:00

Yesterday students were given the opportunity to completely design their own experiments involving Elodea and snails to determine if we can see products of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

Elodea & Snails Investigation

2011-11-08T09:09:00.002+01:00

After reviewing photosynthesis and voting on the best photosynthesis mini project, students worked on designing an experiment using Elodea & Snails to look at photosynthesis.

Here are some hints for your experimental design:

Materials:
Large test tubes (~50mL volume)
BTB indicator solution
Elodea
Snails
Aluminum foil
Test tube racks
Electronic balances
Graduated cylinders
Straws

BTB turns blue in the absence of CO2, BTB turns yellow in the presence of CO2.

We will be analyzing these experiments in class on Friday (Wednesday schedule).

For homework you need to complete the experimental design. Make sure to include your hypothesis and identify the independent and dependent variables.

Electron Transport Chain in Photosynthesis

2011-11-07T13:12:00.000+01:00

Click the picture below to link to images and step-by-step details of what happens in the Electron Transport Chain in the light dependent reactions in photosynthesis.

Reminder: Your photosynthesis mini-project is due tomorrow

Photosynthesis Mini Project

2011-11-02T15:57:00.000+01:00

This mini project is counts for three homework grades. It is due IN CLASS on Tuesday November 8th.

Task 1: Create a map of the areas that visitors will see on the trip. Your map should include the following information

How will you enter the plant?
A labeled drawing of a plant cell (remember, plant cells are different than animal cells. Be sure to look at the diagram on page 175 for details).
A close up labeled drawing of a chloroplast

Task 2: Write a script for a tour guide leading trips to the light dependent reactions and the Calvin Cycle. Your script should include the following information

The general equation for photosynthesis
A detailed explanation of what happens in the electron transport chain
The reactants and products (key components) of the electron transport chain.
Where the ETC takes place
Where the Calvin Cycle takes place
What are the reactants and products of the Calvin Cycle

You also need to remember to cite your sources. If you use only your notes include a citation that says "Information from class notes." If you used any other sources, even images from google you need to include the URL.

Below are examples of A+ work and F work.

The A+ Work


The F work - why is this an F ... well for starter's it's a screenshot of a webpage! Remember that Family Weekend is coming up, what would you like your family to see?

Photosynthesis - C period

2011-11-01T13:16:00.001+01:00

Please watch the video below. Click on the picture to link to the video. You should take notes which describe what happens in the electron transport chain.

You need to have completed these notes for Monday. Step 1 in your notes should say "A photon of light hits the reaction center in Photosystem II."

Welcome Back to Photosynthesis

2011-10-31T15:18:00.000+01:00

Today students had a reading quiz on sections 8-1 and 8-2. After reviewing the reading quiz, we started to look at the details of photosynthesis. C period - you should read pages 208-211 and take notes for a reading quiz. G period you have a reading quiz on pages 201-207 tomorrow.

Stem cell lecture & starting photosynthesis

2011-10-24T22:30:00.000+02:00

Today we had a mini lecture on stem cells, using HHMI's biointeractive series; Click here to see any of the animations we watched on stem cells.

After realizing that high school classes can be pretty great compared to large lecture style classes at some universities, we started to learn about photosynthesis.

On Monday when you return from AT you will have a reading quiz on pages 201-207, so take notes!

G period Homework

2011-10-21T15:42:00.002+02:00

Read pages 201-207 and take notes for a reading quiz when you get back from academic travel.

Osmosis & Diffusion

2011-10-19T13:40:00.000+02:00

Today we wrapped up Osmosis and Diffusion in G period. C period started to learn about pH and diffusion. Click the picture to link to an animation about osmosis.

Cell Membranes

2011-10-18T08:00:00.000+02:00

Today / yesterday students presented their cell part want-ads and learned about the importance of the cell membrane.

Homework: Read pages 183-189 for a reading quiz. Any notes you take you can use.

Last Day with Microscopes

2011-10-14T15:54:00.002+02:00

Today we continued using the microscopes and by now everyone should be comfortable looking at slides and focusing on the images.

For homework you need to create a want-ad for a part of the cell that you were assigned in class.

Your WANT AD should include a description of the function of the cell part (consult your book to expand on what we talked about in class). You should also include a picture; either hand drawn or printed.

This is due in class on Monday or Tuesday, depending on when your class meets.

Microscopes

2011-10-13T22:50:00.003+02:00

Today we continued our work with microscopes. Tomorrow will be our last day (for now) working with microscopes.

Microscopes

2011-10-12T21:46:00.001+02:00

Quote of the day, "This is so awesome! Have you seen the liver?! It's crazy!"

After completing a binder check C period continued working with microscopes. G period learned about proper microscope use and tomorrow G period will have their binder check.

Parts of the cell

2011-10-11T09:40:00.003+02:00

Yesterday (or today for G period) we started to learn about the parts of the cell. For homework due tomorrow,

Go to: http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/cell_model.htm and begin by choosing Animal Cell

Take notes on the following cell parts:

Cytosol / Cytoplasm
Mitochondria
Lysosome
Rough ER
Cytoskeleton

If you prefer to use your book to take notes, you can also do that. You can find the information in chapter 7.

Potato Catalase Investigation

2011-10-05T22:25:00.003+02:00

Both C and G periods had successful results for the potato catalase investigation. Check out the pictures from the experiment below.

Potato catalase pictures

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Today C period worked on the introduction, results and discussion sections of the lab write up. Tomorrow G period will have class time to work on these sections.

Macromolecules Discussion & Potato Catalase Lab Procedure

2011-10-03T12:42:00.001+02:00

Today (or tomorrow for G period), students wrote the discussion for the Macromolecules Investigation. After the independent writing time, we review the procedure for the Potato Catalase Lab.

Use the PowerPoint below to complete the procedure. C period will do this lab on Tuesday and G period will do the lab on Wednesday.

Potato catalse lab

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Test Today

2011-09-30T15:23:00.000+02:00

Today students had a test on Chapter 2. On Monday we will revisit the results of the food lab and we will look at our own diets. Later in the week we will do a lab that examines factors that affect enzyme reactions.

Food Lab Procedure

2011-09-26T12:55:00.003+02:00

Copy the following procedure into your notebook on the same page(s) as "Food Lab Procedure."

You can click on either of these images to make them larger.

If you do not have the procedure written (and it must be hand written) down in your notebook you will not be able to participate in the lab and therefore receive a zero.

Simple carbohydrate

1. Add 5ml distilled water using a pipette to atest tube.

2. Add 1ml or 1 gram of food sample to test tube.

3. Add 20 drops of Benedicts solution.

4. Place test tube in hot water bath for 10minutes.

Complex carbohydrate

1. Add 5ml of water using a pipette to the testtube.

2. Add 1 ml or 1 gram food sample to test tube.

3. Add 20 drops IKI solution.

Procedure: Amino Acids

1. Add 5ml distilled water

2. 1 ml or 1 gram food

3. 20 drops biuret solution

Fats

1. Add 5 ml water using a pipette to a test tube.

2. 1 ml or 1 gram of food sample to the test tube.

3. 20 drops Sudan IV to the test tube.

Macromolecules Mini Project

2011-09-23T14:03:00.000+02:00

Today in class students had time to work on their Macromolecules Mini Project. You do need to have a bibliography for this project. Please use the MLA format for your bibliography. EasyBib is a great resource for helping make a bibliography.

In case you 'misplace' the expectations for the project, you can read the guidelines below.

Part 1: Create a poster with the following information for your macromolecule:The name of macromoleculeProvide a short description of the macromolecule’s functions in the cell and in our bodies.At least three large, colorful, labeled images of the macromolecule should be on the poster.

Part 2: Create a one- page handout for the class that answers the questions listed under your macromolecule (or protein shape). The handout does not need to be typed, it can be hand written. Keep in mind that this will be photocopied and given to the rest of the class.

This mini project is due on Tuesday September 27th in class. One representative from the group will share the information on your topic with the class.

Carbohydrates:
1. What defines a carbohydrate and what is its function in both plant and animal cells?
2. Monosaccharides (-oses), the ratio of C:H:O
3. Disaccharides: reaction used to join them, removal of water, sucrose, maltose and lactose.
4. Polysaccharides: starches (glycogen; cellulose)
5. What are the main uses of carbohydrates in cells (plants and animals)?

Lipids:
1. Define lipids—insolubility in water; function.
2. Types of lipids—triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids
3. What are the main uses of lipids in cells

Proteins:
1. Define proteins and their function
2. What is an amino acid (monomers joined via dehydration synthesis)
3. How is a Peptide bond formed?
4. What are the main uses of proteins in cells?

Protein Shape:
1. What are the various levels in protein shape? (primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary)
2. How does structure relate to function with regard to proteins?
3. What does it mean to denature a protein, give an example.

Nucleic Acids:
1. Define, compare and give examples of the two types of nucleic acids (structure, location and function).
2. What are the main uses of nucleic acids in cells?

Section 2-4 Enzymes

2011-09-22T16:01:00.000+02:00

G period ONLY:
Use the PowerPoint below to help you complete the guided notes sheet you were given in class. The penultimate (2nd to last slide) is for questions 11 & 12. Also, on the penultimate slide, click on the word "Enzymes" in the header to link to a short video clip. Draw the diagram on the last slide on the back of the paper.
Click the white box to begin viewing the slideshow.

Section 2-4, Enzymes

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Chemistry of Carbon & Intro to Macromolecules

2011-09-20T20:33:00.001+02:00

Today C period (tomorrow for G period), learned about the importance of carbon in macromolecules. We also talked about the four major groups of macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.

On Friday you will work in assigned groups on a mini macromolecules project.

If you are in C period:

Remember that your lab report and completed rubric are due tomorrow at the start of class.

If you are in G period your lab report and completed rubric are due on Thursday at the start of class.

Parts of a Lab Report

2011-09-19T13:07:00.000+02:00

Today (or tomorrow for G period) we learned about the parts of a lab report. The first PowerPoint below details the parts of a lab report. The second PowerPoint shows you how to make an x y scatter plot in Excel. Lastly, there is an image of the rubric that you will need to turn in when you submit your lab report. You can not turn in a lab report without the rubric. If you don't have the rubric and self-evaluation completed, your lab report will be late.

The Parts of a Lab Report

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Tips for working in Excel:Remember that your graph should display the average for the five beans in each group (0.0g salt, 0.5g salt etc).

Insert a blank row, below the data for bean 1e. To do this, highlight row 7 (bean 2a), go to "Insert" and select "row." A new row should appear directly below 1e. The row in the screen shot is yellow, because I added the color to make it easier to see.

You can click on any of the images below to make them larger.

Directly below 0.41, type =average (as you start to do this a menu will appear and you can select AVERAGE.

Now the cell (square) below 0.41 should look like the picture below.

Highlight the data for which you want to take the average. Once you have highlighted these numbers, press Enter (Return).

You should now have an 0.38 in the box where you originally typed =AVERAGE . Place the cursor so that it touches the lower right corner of the highlighted blue box. A black plus sign (+) should appear. Drag this symbol directly across the row and this will give you the averages for the rest of the data for group 1.

Once you have all of the averages completed, you are ready almost to make an X Y scatter plot. You will want to open either a new spreadsheet or a new tab in Excel. Make a data table that contains the averages (see below).

Now you are ready to click through the PowerPoint below and make an X Y scatter plot.

Making an xy scatter plot

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And just in case you 'misplaced' the rubric, you can see it (and print it) from the image below.

Properties of Water

2011-09-16T17:51:00.003+02:00

Today students had a reading quiz on section 2.2 and we learned about the properties of water. In our seeds and salt experiment, we saw how plants take advantage of the cohesive and adhesive properties of water to take in water through their roots. Many of us experienced evaporative cooling in class over the past few days. If you go swimming in Lake Lugano or tubing at Lago Maggiore over the weekend, you'll be taking advantage of water's high specific heat (even though it has been cool at night, the lakes are still warm). So even without realizing it, you benefit from the unique properties of water everyday.

There is no homework due Monday. If you are unsure about the pH scale, click the picture below to link to an interactive pH scale. Use the brown arrows in the lower left of the animation to navigate. The interactive pH scale is on the third slide.

Homework for Friday

2011-09-15T19:15:00.001+02:00

Read section 2.2 and take notes for a reading quiz. Also, check out G period's bean seeds!

Tomorrow will be our last day of collecting data for the seeds & salt experiment. Unfortunately, C period's experiment was cut short due to the growth of mold on the seeds and in the dishes. In G period's experiment, only one dish showed signs of mold. Perhaps that's something that could be used in your discussions of the experiment.....

Chapter 2 - Radioactive Dating, Chemical Bonds and the Properties of Water

2011-09-14T10:57:00.004+02:00

G Period: Today students collected data from the seeds & salt experiment. After collecting the data, students were given a chapter 2 pre-inventory and we started to learn about basic chemistry.

G Period Homework: Read pages 37-39 and take notes for a reading quiz. Any notes you take, you can use on the quiz.

C Period: Today continued to collect data from their seeds and salt experiment, after which students had a reading quiz on pages 37-39. We moved on to section 2-2, the properties of water.

C Period Homework: Read and take notes on section 2-2, you will have a reading quiz in your next class.

Here are two video clips to help you understand chemical bonding and radiocarbon dating.

Chemical Bonding:

Radio Carbon Dating:

Starting Ch. 2

2011-09-13T19:16:00.002+02:00

C period class summary:
Students collected data from the seeds & salt experiment. After collecting the data, students were given a chapter 2 pre-inventory and we started to learn about basic chemistry.

C period homework:
Read pages 37-39 and take notes for a reading quiz. Any notes you take, you can use on the quiz.

G period class summary:
After some rather serious debate about the best method for collecting data, students collected their second set of bean growth data. With the remaining class time students started the Interpreting Data packet.

G period homework:
Complete the Interpreting Data packet. Also complete the book tour.

Beans Gone Wild!

2011-09-13T09:56:00.004+02:00

One of G period's beans in just water (0.0g salt added), 84 hours into the experiment. This group really had to pry the roots out of the cotton to mass the bean.

G period homework:

Part 1: Complete the Interpreting Data packet questions. If it is easier, you can make the graphs on a sheet of graph paper and staple it to the packet.

Part 2: Complete the book tour.

Seeds & Salt Data and Interpreting Data Practice

2011-09-12T11:33:00.004+02:00

Today (or tomorrow for G period) students collected their first set of data for the seeds and salt experiment. I will keep an Excel spreadsheet of the class data and email you the final compilation when we have finished the experiment.

Picture 1: C period's experiment, a 4 x 5 set up.

Picture 2: A close up of two of the beans. On the left is an original purple bean, on the right is bean 5a.

After collecting the data, students practiced interpreting data and graphing sample data sets.

Homework:
Part 1: Complete the graphing packet (unless you already finished it in class).

Part 2: Complete the Book Tour. That's right, introduce yourself to your textbook. You will leave this book at home for the majority of the year.

Setting up the seeds & salt experiment

2011-09-11T16:22:00.002+02:00

In class on Friday students worked together to set up the seeds and salt experiment. Tomorrow (or on Tuesday depending on when your class meets) you'll make predictions about the change in mass of the seeds and collect the data.

After collecting the data, we'll do several practice problems where you graph data.

Lastly, tomorrow you'll finally get your textbook, as by now you should know whether or not you will be staying in the class.

Experimental Design: Bean Seeds

2011-09-06T13:13:00.002+02:00

Today (or Thursday for G period) students presented their redesigned Simpon's experiments. Congratulations to the Bart group in C period for winning the 100,000CHF grant to continue their research.

Due Friday for C and G period: Complete a detailed experimental design for the seed lab. On Friday we will be selecting an experimental design to actually do in class. We will have from Sept. 9 through Sept. 21st to collect data in this experiment.

PART 1: Complete the rest of the experimental set up. Important questions to think about are:
* What will your light source be? How close will the plants be to the light? How can do make sure all the plants receive equal light?

* How often will you collect data?

* Water evaporates. What will you do to compensate for this?

PART 2: Make a data table that you could use to record your data from this experiment. You do not need to create data, just make the table.

Welcome to Biology

2011-09-05T11:37:00.003+02:00

Today we learned about controls and variables in experimental design with the help of the Simpsons.
Homework: Choose one of the experiments from the worksheet and redesign it in the 5 x 5 model. In class tomorrow you will present your experimental design to the class. Be prepared to defend your design.

Syllabus

2011-09-04T17:44:00.003+02:00

General Biology

2011-2012

Ms. Saxe

Text: Biology Student Edition with Manual, Miller & Levine, Pearson, Prentice Hall

Other Materials: 1 binder, divided into two sections

A minimum of 3 different colored highlighters, pens or markers.

Content: Biology is the branch of science devoted to the study of life. The course starts with building an understanding of the scientific method before moving on to investigating the cell and energy processes at the cellular and system levels. Moving forward we will delve into cellular reproduction, genetics and cancer. At last we will focus on evolution, populations and the environment. Throughout this course students will work on the following four sets of scientific inquiry skills:

A. Make observations, raise questions, and formulate hypotheses.

B. Design and conduct scientific investigations.

C. Analyze and interpret results of scientific investigations.

D. Communicate and apply the results of scientific investigations.

Office Hours: By appointment only. The best way to set up a time for extra help is by email.

Grading:

Homework/Reading Quizzes 25% Tests/Projects 30%

Quizzes 15% Lab work 20%

Classwork 10%

Semester grade: Coursework…..75% Final Exam……25%

Year grade: 1^st semester…..45% 2^nd semester...…55%

Integrity: Being honest with yourself, your classmates and your teacher. Don't take credit for work that isn't yours and ask for help when you need it.

Homework: Homework will be assigned almost every night and be incorporated into the following day’s class. A late assignment defeats the purpose of completing it. Therefore, late homework will not be accepted and will be graded as a zero. Assignments include, but are not limited to: worksheets; problem sets; readings; preparing for a discussion/presentation etc.

Make-up Work: You are responsible for obtaining missed assignments. If you know in advance you will be missing class for co-curriculars, an appointment etc. you should notify me in advance at least 2 days in advance.

Late Work Policy: As previously stated, late homework is not accepted. Late projects will be accepted up to three calendar days after the due date. However, each day that the project is late, 10% of the grade will be lost. After the third day the project will no longer be accepted.

Extensions: Extensions will not be given except in the event of extenuating circumstances, so plan your time wisely.

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory at all class meetings. You are expected to arrive on time in be in your seat with your homework and your notebook on your desk. A pattern of tardiness will be regarded as not meeting the expectations of the class and will affect your effort grade.

Class participation: In order to make the most progress in this class you will need to participate actively. Participating in class not only means sharing your ideas but also coming prepared and on time.

Notebook: Must be divided into two sections and have a table of contents:

You must keep a detailed table of contents for your notebook.

Class Rules:

· BE ON TIME!

· BE PREPARED! Bring the textbook, your notebook, highlighters and pens/pencils each day.

· BE PRESENT! Both in mind and body. Showing up for class doesn’t mean much if you are daydreaming.

· If you have an unexcused absence from class on the day of a test or quiz you will receive a zero.

· As soon as you need extra help, come find me. Don’t wait!

Outline of topics to be covered in the Fall Term:

N.B. The instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus at anytime.

Wk.	Ch.	Themes	Labs / Projects
1	1	Scientific inquiry and methods
2	1 /2	Experimental design and measurement; starting basic chemistry for biology	Seeds & Salt
3	2	Basic chemistry for biology, properties of water, pH	Seeds & Salt
4	2	Macromolecules	Testing for Macromolecules
5	2	Enzymes & Lab report skills	Potato Catalase
6	7	Cell structure and function	Microscope work
7	7	Membranes & osmosis	Dialysis tubing
8	Academic Travel

9	8	Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
10	9	Cellular Respiration	Elodea & Snails
11	9/10	Wrap up Cellular Respiration, start Cell Growth	Microscope work
12	10	Mitosis, Cell Cycle & Cancer	Cancer presentations
13	36	Skeletal & Muscular Systems	Build a skeleton
14	35	Nervous System & NIH’s Drugs, Brain & Behavior
15	NIH	Drugs, Brain & Behavior

Thank you in advance for all of the hard work and learning that you are about to engage in.

Sincerely,

Ms. Saxe

Final Exams Have Been Graded

2011-06-01T17:27:00.002+02:00

Fueled by a bathtub of Starbucks coffee, I've finished grading your final exams. If you want to know your grade, email me.

Good luck on the rest of your exams :)

Final Exam Today!

2011-06-01T09:26:00.004+02:00

It's rainy and gross out, so going downtown to the lake shouldn't be a distraction for you while you take the exam :)

One final reminder:

If you are in G period, your exam is in M1

If you are in D or F period, your exam is in M11.

Good luck :) If your were unwise last night and stayed up with the aid of Red Bull, drink lots of water today!

Final Exam Breakdown

2011-05-30T10:29:00.002+02:00

Here's the breakdown of your exam:

Evolution:
3 multiple choice questions
3 open response questions

Statistics:
1 open response question

Genetics:
12 multiple choice
2 open response

DNA:
14 multiple choice
5 open response

Macromolecules:
6 multiple choice
3 open response

1 free point question half way through the exam.

Review Quiz 3 & Wrapping Up Bioethics

2011-05-27T15:03:00.003+02:00

Yesterday students had their final review quiz (see answers below). We also spent the past two days learning how scarce resources are allocated, specifically, organs. We debated on the criteria that should be used to determine who would receive an organ and who wouldn't. Today, using that criteria we looked at four different cases to debate who should receive the transplant.

The big take away, "This is hard! Everyone should be able to have an organ." Too bad it's not like that in real life.

Review Quiz 2 & a Debate

2011-05-24T08:42:00.006+02:00

Today students had a review quiz on DNA replication, transcription and translation. After the quiz, students debated the issue of using enhancements in sports.

Students were given a list of statements to debate and chose the following:

G period debated: Does using enhancements in sports violate what people value most about sports?

D period debated: Is it fair for an individual to use an enhancement?

F period debated: Does using enhancements in sports violate what people value most about sports?

Tomorrow/Thursday we'll be taking a look at allocating scare resources in the case of organ transplants. On Friday you'll have a debate about allocating organs. Your next review quiz is on evolution.

Here are the answers for today's quiz. Click the picture to make it larger.

Review Quiz 1 & Bioethics

2011-05-23T09:36:00.008+02:00

After completing the short review quiz (see questions and answers below), we examined four core ethical considerations from module 1 of the NIH's curriculum:

1. Respect for persons
2. Harms and benefits
3. Fairness
4. Authenticity

We read a case study about a high school athlete and his potential use of steroids. Tomorrow we will have a debate about steroid use in athletes and the ethical questions raised by the use of performance enhancing drugs.

Tomorrow your review quiz will be on chapter 12 & the packets that go along with it.

Click the picture to make the page full size.

This way you can check your answers.

No Book? No Final Exam!

2011-05-20T22:13:00.002+02:00

You must either return your textbook or pay for it to take the final exam. Below are the book numbers that have been assigned to you. The book number is in a red square on the inside front cover. You must return YOUR book, not a book that belongs to someone else. Of course if you see a stray book in the dorm, snack bar or lost and found closet, please turn it in!

Click the picture to make it larger.

What is bioethics?

2011-05-20T21:58:00.002+02:00

Today we started our last unit of the year, using the NIH's bioethics curriculum. At the end of the fall term we used the NIH's Drugs, Brain and Behavior curriculum and had lots of thought provoking discussions; I suspect this unit we be the same.

Our goal for today was to define 'ethics' and assess the difference between ethical, legal and scientific questions. We ended class today discussing the case of Oscar Pistorius, a double amputee who uses cheetah legs to run, addressing such questions as:
• Should the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF)
allow Oscar Pistorius to compete?
• Should artiﬁcial limbs be permitted in organized sports competitions?
• Should Pistorius be allowed to compete in the Olympics?
• What alterations to the human body create an unfair advantage?

Below is a clip of Pistorius at the Bejing Paraolympics in the 100 meter dash.

Homework: On Monday you will have a short (10-15) question quiz on genetics. The questions and answers will be posted on the blog at the end of the day so you can check your work. It's never too early to start studying, so go!

Tabs!

2011-05-19T14:50:00.003+02:00

Check it out! Below the title of the blog and our/my favorite educational quote are a series of tabs that organize all of the helpful links.

You'll find the information about the final exam under "General Information."

Need to brush up on evolution for the final exam? Click on the evolution tab and see what you'll find.

Chocolate Statistics

2011-05-18T10:36:00.002+02:00

Chocolate statistics

Initial observations

Look at your chocolates. Which do you think has the greater mass, a Smartie or an M&M? Or do you think they have the same mass?

Now touch your chocolates and ask yourself the same question.

Create a Hypothesis 1 (H₁)and a Null Hypothesis (H₀)

Data Collection

How many Smarties/ M&Ms do you think you would need to measure the mass of to collect enough data to be sure of your answer?

Measure the mass of your Smarties. Now do the same for your M&Ms.

Record the data in an appropriate table. Don’t forget to include the units and the uncertainties of your equipment.

Data Processing

Calculate the arithmetic mean mass for your Smarties.

Now do the same for your M&Ms.

Calculate the Standard Deviations.

Perform an unpaired t-test on your results.

Data Presentation

Draw a graph of your results. Include error bars.

Conclusion and Evaluation

Which hypothesis can you accept/reject and why?

What were the possible errors in your experiment?

Calculating Standard Deviation

The Standard deviation (SD, s or ) of the mean tells us how spread out the reading are ( the ‘spreadoutness’ of the data).

1. Calculate the mean

2. Measure the deviations

3. Square the deviations

4. Add the squared deviations

5. Divide by the number of samples minus 1

6. Square root the answer

Ask your math teacher to show you how to calculate the standard deviation on your calculator. Or…. Just use Excel :)

The unpaired t-test

Go to

http://www.graphpad.com/quickcalcs/ttest1.cfm

and enter your data.

Your analysis is due by the end of class on Friday.

Starting Review

2011-05-17T23:24:00.003+02:00

Today students worked on test corrections and we reviewed genetics. The labels in the right side bar of the blog will be really helpful for reviewing for the final exam. Click on the genetics label to see everything we have done on that topic.

Tomorrow (or Thursday) depending on when you have class, we will be doing the Smarties vs. MMs lab. One person in your group should bring a computer to collect the data.

Data Manipulation in Excel

2011-05-16T19:21:00.002+02:00

Today students finished graphing with Excel and learned how to add standard deviation bars. Tomorrow we'll go over the macromolecules test and do a bit of review for genetics.

Please bring a computer to class on Wednesday/Thursday so we can collect the data for the Smarties vs. MMs lab.

Test Today

2011-05-13T23:13:00.002+02:00

Today students took a test on macromolecules and the properties of water. This test covered the BIG concepts we've been learning about for the past two weeks. Think of it as a warm up for the final exam. A few students who were absent will need to take the test on Monday, but if you were in class on Friday, you will be able to see your grade on Monday. On Tuesday we will go over the test.

And now, your homework....

By Monday at 3:35 PM, email me the answers to the following questions:

1. What assignment are you most proud of from this class and why?

2. How does this work demonstrate your skills and abilities in Biology?

3. What was challenging or interesting about this project?

4. If you had to do this again, what would you do differently?

5. What did you work the hardest on? Was it a specific project, studying for a test, learning to be organized etc?

6. What was the most interesting thing to learn about this spring term? In case you’ve forgotten all that we have done, look back through the blog archive.

7. What were the biggest challenges to your success in this class?

8. How did you work to overcome these challenges?

9. How have you changed as a student from the start of the year to now?

10. What can you teach others about Biology that you couldn't before?

11. Is there a skill that you learned in this class that can help you in other classes, if so what it it? (don't you dare write "nothing" because you are tired of writing.

Part 2:

What are three things you think I do well as a teacher?

What are three things (or areas) where you think I could improve as a teacher?
** I know that you folks weren't big fans of the test you took today as illustrated by the number of "OMG's" that were uttered in various languages. Consider that feedback received loud and clear, and try to think about other ways to improve the class for future students. **

What is one piece of advice you would give to students who are taking this class next year?

Anything else I should know?

Test Tomorrow

2011-05-12T12:15:00.000+02:00

Tomorrow you have your test on macromolecules and the properties of water.

Please bring your computer to class on Monday so we can finish the assignment from the post below.

Data Manipulation in Excel

2011-05-11T12:06:00.004+02:00

Excel can be used for many things: quickly finding the mean for a set of data, calculating standard deviation and even......... making a cartoon of Mike Tyson. Today students completed a worksheet on their computers where they needed to manipulate sets of data. Below is the worksheet with the hyperlinks.

Homework: study for your test on Friday. The information on standard deviation will be on the final exam, but not on the test on Friday.

Using Excel to Manipulate Data

A. Open the first file: 2003 American League Baseball Salaries

1. List three ways in which you could manipulate this data.

2. Sort the data so that each position is grouped together. Make sure that the salary of each player stays with the correct position. How many catchers are there?

Find the mean salary for each of the positions and fill in the information in the table below.

Catcher	1^st Base	Outfielder	Shortstop	Pitcher	3^rd base	2^nd base

Which position has the highest mean salary?

B. Open the Price of Electricity file.

3. How many years have complete records for the price of electricity?

4. Create a scatter plot in Excel (or numbers) showing the average price in electricity for the years 1986-1996. Make sure to correctly label the x and y axis and write a title for the graph. Add your graph to this word document. Unsure how to make an xy scatter plot? Click through this PowerPoint if you are a Mac user.

5. In your own words, explain standard deviation in the space below. If you don’t know what standard deviation is, read about it here (it’s the first term on the list).

6. Go back to your Excel / Numbers file. Calculate the standard deviation for 1986-1995. To do this, click in the cell next to the annual average and type =STDEV(

Then highlight the data for each month in that specific year

Close the ) and press enter/return.

Highlight this cell and place the cursor on the edge of the cell so it changes from an arrow to a +

Drag the blue edge straight down the column, until you have reached 1995.

You now have the standard deviation for each year.

7. Add standard deviation bars to your graph. If you do not know how to do this, watch this video if you use a Mac or watch this video if you have the new version of Windows. You may only be able to add the error bars for three years at a time.

8. Turn your graph from an xy scatter plot into a bar graph. Again, make sure it is correctly labeled.

9. What does the green triangle in the left top corner of each standard deviation box signify?

10. Which year had the most consistent gas price?

11. Which year had the largest standard deviation? What does this tell you about the gas prices that year, compared to the other years?

12. On a scale of 1-10 (ten being impossible, one being super easy) how hard was this assignment? Please write the name of each person in the group and his/her response

13. Please complete the feedback table below. For each of the four tasks, please write if you already knew how do to this or what it is. Write yes if you knew it before or no if you didn’t not know it before class today.

Name	What standard deviation is	How to find standard deviation	How to add error bars to a graph	How to find the mean using Excel

Google Data

2011-05-10T07:57:00.003+02:00

Google Data Interpretation.

Part 1: Click the picture below to access the world fertility data.

Part 2: Use Google Public Data to practice interpreting data. Choose any data set you want. Interpret the data as if it were the results of an experiment you did.

Homework: study for your test on Friday

Proteins

2011-05-06T11:54:00.003+02:00

Today we focused on the third class of macromolecules: Proteins.

Brace yourself for this shocking discovery....proteins are formed when amino acids are joined together by peptide bonds and when water is removed! Are we noticing a trend yet....?

Proteins having many functions including as enzymes and transport molecules. We didn't spend a lot of time on enzymes because we learned about this in the fall. Click here to see a video of how enzymes work.

Proteins play in an important role in transport of molecules across a cell membrane. As you know, phospholipids have a hydrophylic head and hydrophobic tail. In order for the transport proteins to maintain their location in the bilayer they have to have polar and nonpolar components.

There is no homework for Monday other than to study for your test on Friday May 13th.

Lipids!

2011-05-04T14:39:00.004+02:00

Today students completed a short guided notes sheet, before building models of various fatty acids.

Homework: Due Friday (courtesy of Mrs. Yust-Averett). Answer the questions below, you do not need to write the questions, just the number of the question.

1. What is the elemental composition of lipids?

2. How can you differentiate between carbohydrates and lipids when looking at a molecule or given a chemical formula?

3. What are the 4 main types of lipids (molecules)? (you will need to look this up).

4. What are the main functions of lipids?

5. What type of covalent bond (linkage) can be found between a glycerol molecule and fatty acid tails?

6. Are lipids polar or non-polar? How does this effect their interaction with water?

7. Explain the structure of triglycerides (look this up).

8. What is the main function of triglycerides (look this up).

9. Compare saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (number of hydrogen atoms, physical state at room temperature, healthy or unhealthy, single or double bonds between carbon atoms, ease broken down by body, sources found in nature, food examples) (look this up).

Carbohydrate Structure

2011-05-03T12:22:00.002+02:00

Today students built models of carbohydrates and learned how monosaccharides join together to form di and polysaccharides.

Carbohydrates Homework Questions

1. Which elements do carbohydrates contain, and in what ratio?

2. If a sugar compound has 11 oxygen atoms, how many hydrogen atoms does it contain?

3. Based on their molecular formulas, which of the following are NOT carbohydrates?

a. C3H803
b. C10H18O9
c. C18H32O16
d. C4H8O2
e. C16H32O2
f. C6H12O6

4. For each molecule below, determine if it is a monosaccharide, a disaccharide, or a polysaccharide. You will need to look these up on your own.

a. Fructose

b. Ribose

c. Cellulose

d. Glucose

e. Sucrose

f. Glycogen

5. Describe a biological function for each of the following carbohydrates
a. Cellulose
b. Ribose
c. Starch
d. Glycogen
e. Deoxyribose
f. Fructose
g. Sucrose

6. Draw the molecular structure of the following carbohydrates:
RIBOSE
GLUCOSE

7. Briefly describe the process of the condensation reaction (dehydration synthesis) for carbohydrates.

8. Briefly describe the process of the hydrolysis reaction for carbohydrates.

Welcome Back! (to chemistry)

2011-05-02T11:56:00.002+02:00

Over the next two weeks we will be reviewing some of the chemistry we learned at the beginning of the year, as well as going into more depth on the structure of molecules. This information is NOT in your textbook, so you will have more class handouts use additional websites.

Today we talked about what elements make up the human body and their functions, as well as how these elements compare to the elements in the Earth's crust. We also learned about the properties of water.

Homework: Read each statement below and explain (in 2-3 sentences per statement) how the properties of water are related to the phenomena that are described. More than one property may be used to explain a given phenomena.

1. During the winter months, air temperatures in the northern United States can remain below zero deg. C for months; however the fish and other animals living in the lakes survive.

2. Many substances, for example salt, dissolve in water very quickly.

3. When you pour water into a 25 mL graduated cylinder, a meniscus forms at the top of the water column.

4. Sweating and the evaporation of sweat from the body surface help reduce a human's body temperature.

5. A bottle contains oil and water. You shake the bottle vigorously and put it on the table. Over time, the oil and water separate.

6. If you touch the edge of a paper towel with water, the water will move up into (or be absorbed by) the towel.

Here's a reminder of some of the properties of water:
Life as we know it could not exist without water. All the chemical reactions of life occur in aqueous solution. Water molecules are polar and are capable of forming hydrogen bonds with other polar or charged molecules. As a result, water has the following properties:

A. H₂O molecules are cohesive; they form hydrogen bonds with each other.

B. H₂O molecules are adhesive; they form hydrogen bonds with polar surfaces.

C. Water is a liquid at normal physiological (or body) temperatures.

D. Water has a high specific heat.

E. Water has a high heat of vaporization.

F. Water’s greatest density occurs at 4°C.

Here's a link about water & hydrogen bonds that you might find helpful.

Ecology & Plants Test

2011-04-13T14:01:00.001+02:00

Today and tomorrow, students will take their test on ecology & plants. As the test is quite large and the final exam is looming, this material will NOT be on the final exam.

Population Dynamics Simulator

2011-04-11T10:41:00.005+02:00

Today in class students completed a webquest examining populations dynamics in several countries. Click on the picture below to access the simulation.

An important point to remember for this activity is: The demographic transition is complete when the birthrate falls to meet the death rate and population growth stops.

Below are the directions for this activity:
1. Download the data table.
2. Under "Lessons" click "The demographic transition."
3. Read the background information and the questions, so you know what to answer at the end of this section.
4. Open the simulator (click the icon on the top right).

We will go over all of the aspects of the simulator as a class before you begin experimenting with these tools.

Homework: Study for your test on Wednesday/Thursday! Please bring your computer to class on Tuesday so we can continue to work with the simulator.

Random Sampling

2011-04-08T10:24:00.005+02:00

Last night, students read section 5-1 on population growth. Before scientists can measure the growth of a population over an extended period of time, they need to establish a baseline. This can be done by random sampling. Today students did a dry lab to practice random sampling.

They used data (below) on a population of sunflowers.

Homework: read sections 5.2 and 5.3. We will be doing a lab where we examine human population data, not having a lecture on these sections. We will have time at the beginning of class if you have questions on anything in the readings.

If you are able to, please bring a computer to class.

Finishing Chapter 4

2011-04-07T08:05:00.004+02:00

Today (yesterday for G period), we will wrap up chapter 4. Please note that section 4-4 has been removed from your test next week and understanding the climate diagrams in section 4-3 has been added.

To help recap chapters 3 and 4 we played a combination review jeopardy and learning jeopardy where new material was introduced.

Below is a climate diagram for Meppen, Germany. The red line indicated temperature and the blue bars represent the amount of precipitation each month.

The months are in Roman numerals at the bottom of the diagram. I = January and XII = December.

Where's Meppen? Check out the map below (it's about an eight hour drive north of Lugano).

At the end of the day, I will email the jeopardy review to all the classes. For homework, please read section 5-1. You will not have a reading quiz, but if you are someone who benefits from taking notes, then absolutely take notes!

Section 4-2

2011-04-05T21:29:00.002+02:00

Today we review section 4-1 on climate and moved onto section 4-2. F period was the only class to finish all the way through marine succession. Your homework, if you are not in F period is to finish reading section 4.2. Click on the linked vocab words to see the videos we didn't get to watch in class.

Biotic Factor

Ecological Succession

Abiotic Factor

Primary Succession

Habitat

Pioneer Species

Niche

Secondary Succession

Resource

Competitive Exclusion Principle

Predation

Symbiosis

Mutualism

Commensalism

Parasitism

Article Sharing & Climate Change

2011-04-04T22:57:00.005+02:00

Today students shared their article summaries from the post below. After the articles we shared, we talked about the link between the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and temperature increase. We also learned about some of the effects of an increase in global temperature.

Click here for the climate change bathtub simulation.

Homework: Read section 4.1 and take notes for a reading quiz.

Carbon & Nitrogen Cycles

2011-04-01T14:26:00.002+02:00

Today we recapped the carbon and nitrogen cycles. Here's your homework for Monday:

Click on your name below. Read that specific web page. Write a summary of what you read, include the title of the article. Your summary can be either in paragraph form or bullet points. If there are graphs on your webpage, be sure to look at them and read the captions!

D period:
Natalia
Alberto
Faye
Victoria
Heidi
Bogdan
Alfredo
Claudia
Nabila

F period:
Viktor
Phil
Rodrigo
Karl
Caro
Carla
Asela
Georgy
Njani

G period:
Edis
Fernanda
Anderson
Margarita
Lucianna
Otto
Vincent
Nick
Andrea
Layla

Ecological Pyramids & Nutrient Cycles

2011-03-31T08:50:00.005+02:00

Today (and yesterday) students took notes on how energy and matter moves through ecological systems. We compared three types of ecological pyramids, food pyramids vs. webs, and started to look at cycles of matter.

Homework: Read and take notes on pages 78-80 for a reading quiz on Friday.

We also watched two video clips (and of course the water cycle song is cheesy, but that's the point!)

The Water Cycle

The Carbon Cycle