“Education, therefore, is a process of living and not a preparation for future living.” ~ John Dewey
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Videos & Discussions
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.
Friday, December 9, 2011
How does drug abuse begin?
Drugs alter the chemistry of the brain
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.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
How neurotransmission works
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.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Starting Drugs, Brain & Behavior
Read section 35.2 and take notes for a reading quiz.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Mitosis, Cell Cycle & Cancer Quiz
Next week we will be starting the NIH's Drugs, Brain and Behavior unit.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Study Guides and Practicing with Microscopes
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.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Angiogensis & Cancer
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!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Cancer & The Cell Cycle
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?
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Mitosis & Microscopes Day 2
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 |
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Mitosis & Microscopes
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Next Topic: The Cell Cycle & Cancer
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.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Open Notes Test Tomorrow
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.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Krebs Cycle & the ETC
On Friday you will have an open notes test on Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration, so make sure you bring your notebook to class!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Starting Cellular Respiration
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!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Elodea & Snails Lab Report Rubric
Elodea & Snails.... 48 hours later
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Elodea & Snails Lab
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Elodea & Snails Investigation
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.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Electron Transport Chain in Photosynthesis
Reminder: Your photosynthesis mini-project is due tomorrow
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Photosynthesis Mini Project
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
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? |
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Photosynthesis - C period
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."
Monday, October 31, 2011
Welcome Back to Photosynthesis
Monday, October 24, 2011
Stem cell lecture & starting photosynthesis
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!
Friday, October 21, 2011
G period Homework
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Osmosis & Diffusion
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Cell Membranes
Homework: Read pages 183-189 for a reading quiz. Any notes you take you can use.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Last Day with Microscopes
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.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Microscopes
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Microscopes
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.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Parts of the cell
Go to: http://www.cellsalive.com/
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.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Potato Catalase Investigation
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.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Macromolecules Discussion & Potato Catalase Lab Procedure
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.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Test Today
Monday, September 26, 2011
Food Lab Procedure
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.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Macromolecules Mini Project
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 macromolecule Provide 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?
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Section 2-4 Enzymes
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.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Chemistry of Carbon & Intro to Macromolecules
On Friday you will work in assigned groups on a mini macromolecules project.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Parts of a Lab Report
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.
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).
And just in case you 'misplaced' the rubric, you can see it (and print it) from the image below.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Properties of Water
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.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Homework for Friday
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.....
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Chapter 2 - Radioactive Dating, Chemical Bonds and the Properties of Water
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:
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Starting Ch. 2
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!
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.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Seeds & Salt Data and Interpreting Data Practice
Picture 2: A close up of two of the beans. On the left is an original purple bean, on the right is bean 5a.
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.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Setting up the seeds & salt experiment
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.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Experimental Design: Bean Seeds
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.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Welcome to Biology
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.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Syllabus
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: 1st semester…..45% 2nd 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