Introduction to Microscope Work

Today students had an introduction to working with microscopes which included identifying the parts of the microscope, proper techniques and looking at a variety of slides. Students had the opportunity to look at:

Human blood
Human scalp with hair and sweat glands
Human lung
Frog skin
Large intestine from a mammal
Pollen from a Lily
Spirogyra (a freshwater algae)
Gills from a catshark
A cross section of stem from a Basswood tree.

HOMEWORK: READ THE PROCEDURE FOR LAB 1: MAKING WET MOUNT SLIDES (posted above).

You will have a pre-lab quiz on the procedure. You may use any notes that are in your own handwriting. You do NOT need to print a copy of the lab.

Graphing Practice

Today students practiced graphing and interpreting data. We started by interpreting a pie chart and line graph. Students then worked independently to create scatter plots on data.

Graphing Practice Problem

Water Temperature in oC	Number of developing clams
15	75
20	90
25	120
30	140
35	75
40	40
45	15
50	0

1. A clam farmer has been keeping records concerning the water temperature and the number of clams developing from fertilized eggs. The data is recorded above.
2. Make a line graph of the data.
3. What is the dependent variable?
4. What is the independent variable?
5. What is the optimum temperature for clam development?

For the tree problem click here
For the tadpole problem click here

These problems were adapted from the Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, AZ, USA.

There is no homework this weekend.

Controls & Variables

Today students practiced identifying controls and variables using practice problems. We also talked about themes in biology and levels of biological organization.

Homework: Read pages 24-28, take notes which include the key concepts and the vocabulary. Who knows...you might just have a reading quiz....

What is science

Today students identified what is and is not science as well as practiced making observations and hypotheses by working with stick insects.



Homework:
Read section 1-2 (pages 8-14).
Take notes and make sure to include the key concepts and definitions for the vocabulary words. Remember: vocabulary words are highlighted in yellow.

Please bring your text book to class on Thursday.