Friday, May 6, 2011
Friday, May 6th: Last Class before the AP Bio Test!
I am not just trying to flatter you by saying that I am confident you will do a great job on Monday. You have learned an enormous amount of material in a very short time! There are three things you should do to prepare for the AP exam: sleep, sleep and sleep. Your brain needs to be fully functional to be able to figure out what the heck the questions are even asking :) Your most important strategy is to stay calm and confident. Read the questions carefully and make sure you know what they are asking.
Some resources: (see yesterday for nervous system animations)
More about the science behind how certain drugs work: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/mom/index.php
Immune System:
Harvard animation of white blood cell: http://www.schooltube.com/video/298f6e0ddd0a626bc784/The-Inner-Life-of-a-Cell-Explained-HQ
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/immunesystem/Pages/default.aspx
Some resources: (see yesterday for nervous system animations)
More about the science behind how certain drugs work: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/mom/index.php
Immune System:
Harvard animation of white blood cell: http://www.schooltube.com/video/298f6e0ddd0a626bc784/The-Inner-Life-of-a-Cell-Explained-HQ
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thursday, May 5th
Here are the links to Neurons and Muscles.
Neuron Action
3. Sodium Potassium Pump: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072437316/student_view0/chapter45/animations.html
4. Action Potential propagation in one direction: shows depolarization and refractory period http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072437316/student_view0/chapter45/animations.html
5. Synapse: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072437316/student_view0/chapter45/animations.html
6. Neuromuscular Junction: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072437316/student_view0/chapter45/animations.html
(supplement) Neuron disruption due to drugs: http://www.thirteen.org/closetohome/science/html/animations.html
Muscle Contraction
7. Sliding Filament Theory: Role of Calcium
8. Detailed explanation of how actin and myosin interact: select myosin II
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tuesday, April 26th
1. Homework is to read all about the Endocrine System (hormones!) in your review book. Focus particularly on glucose regulation and calcium regulation.
Today we took Vocab Quiz 5
I then began our lesson on Cellular Respiration. You can review this information in your review book and in Chapter 9 of your text. Can you tell I am late to pick up my son from daycare??? See you tomorrow!
Today we took Vocab Quiz 5
I then began our lesson on Cellular Respiration. You can review this information in your review book and in Chapter 9 of your text. Can you tell I am late to pick up my son from daycare??? See you tomorrow!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday April 25th
1. Vocabulary Quiz 5 tomorrow!
2. Homework: Worksheet for Cell Respiration due on Block Day
3. Final Exam will be 5/2 and 5/3. That is next Monday and Tuesday!
In 2nd and 3rd I started with a check of the weekend reading assignment on 10.4. By afternoon word had gotten out, so I did not give the checkup to 5th and 6th.
We went over C4 and CAM plants and emphasized how they have adapted their Carbon dioxide fixation for their hot, dry climates. Information can be found in 10.4. We then looked at last year's Photosynthesis Quiz to check our understanding of photosynthesis.
I ended class by giving out a worksheet that asks questions about the main points of cellular respiration from Chapter 9. This worksheet is due on the block day.
2. Homework: Worksheet for Cell Respiration due on Block Day
3. Final Exam will be 5/2 and 5/3. That is next Monday and Tuesday!
In 2nd and 3rd I started with a check of the weekend reading assignment on 10.4. By afternoon word had gotten out, so I did not give the checkup to 5th and 6th.
We went over C4 and CAM plants and emphasized how they have adapted their Carbon dioxide fixation for their hot, dry climates. Information can be found in 10.4. We then looked at last year's Photosynthesis Quiz to check our understanding of photosynthesis.
I ended class by giving out a worksheet that asks questions about the main points of cellular respiration from Chapter 9. This worksheet is due on the block day.
Friday, April 22, 2011
April 22nd: Eight class days before AP Bio Test!!
1. Homework is to read about adaptations for alternative carbon fixation on pp. 195-198.
2. Our Final Exam will take place in class on May 2nd and 3rd. If you have a conflict with an AP test we will come up with a solution together.
3. Review sessions are continuing! There are still five more. Sessions are held from 3:05 to 4:35 on the dates below.
Today the topic is Classification and Diversity.
Tuesday 4/26 - Plants
Friday 4/29 - Animal Systems
Tuesday 5/3 - Ecology
Thursday 5/5 - open forum
In class we went over the online photosynthesis lab that was assigned Tuesday. We discussed the role of DPIP and why we expect to see certain trends in certain situations. I then collected the assignment. Next we finished our discussion of photosynthesis by focusing on the Calvin Cycle. The key components to remember are: The 1-carbon CO2 is joined to a 5-carbon RuBP molecule by Rubisco (yay Rubisco!). This unstable 6-carbon molecule immediately splits into 2 3-carbon molecules. ATP and NADPH from the light dependent reactions are then used to create carbohydrate while regenerating RuBP to start the cycle again. The cycle would need to run 6 times (using 6 CO2 molecules) to create 1 glucose. Here is a link to an animation on the Calvin Cycle. http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/Bio231/calvin.html
On Monday we will go over the alternate pathways for carbon fixation and begin cellular respiration.
2. Our Final Exam will take place in class on May 2nd and 3rd. If you have a conflict with an AP test we will come up with a solution together.
3. Review sessions are continuing! There are still five more. Sessions are held from 3:05 to 4:35 on the dates below.
Today the topic is Classification and Diversity.
Tuesday 4/26 - Plants
Friday 4/29 - Animal Systems
Tuesday 5/3 - Ecology
Thursday 5/5 - open forum
In class we went over the online photosynthesis lab that was assigned Tuesday. We discussed the role of DPIP and why we expect to see certain trends in certain situations. I then collected the assignment. Next we finished our discussion of photosynthesis by focusing on the Calvin Cycle. The key components to remember are: The 1-carbon CO2 is joined to a 5-carbon RuBP molecule by Rubisco (yay Rubisco!). This unstable 6-carbon molecule immediately splits into 2 3-carbon molecules. ATP and NADPH from the light dependent reactions are then used to create carbohydrate while regenerating RuBP to start the cycle again. The cycle would need to run 6 times (using 6 CO2 molecules) to create 1 glucose. Here is a link to an animation on the Calvin Cycle. http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/Bio231/calvin.html
On Monday we will go over the alternate pathways for carbon fixation and begin cellular respiration.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Post 100!! Block Day: Photosynthesis
I started class with a survey of how many students will be gone each day for AP tests. This information will be used to plan what we do each day in class during those weeks.
Next we discussed our Final Exam! The class was surveyed to find out if they would prefer to take the Final during a single 90-minute period NEXT BLOCK DAY, or split the test into two 40-minute parts and take it on Monday and Tuesday (5/2 and 5/3). I will let you know the outcome of the vote by Friday.
In 2nd period we concluded the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. Students were asked to write their own summaries of twospecific parts: 1. How does non-cyclic photophosphorylation work? Include a discussion of the role of light, antenna molecules, electrons, electron transport chain, water, ATP and NADPH. 2. Explain how ATP is created. Use the terms electron transport chain, hydrogen gradient, ATP synthase, ADP and ATP.
6th period did the above, but also completed the Calvin cycle. They were asked to explain how glucose is made, using the terms: carbon dioxide, RuBP, rubisco, ATP, NADPH, and glucose.
There was no homework and I ran out of time for discussing last night's homework.
Next we discussed our Final Exam! The class was surveyed to find out if they would prefer to take the Final during a single 90-minute period NEXT BLOCK DAY, or split the test into two 40-minute parts and take it on Monday and Tuesday (5/2 and 5/3). I will let you know the outcome of the vote by Friday.
In 2nd period we concluded the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. Students were asked to write their own summaries of twospecific parts: 1. How does non-cyclic photophosphorylation work? Include a discussion of the role of light, antenna molecules, electrons, electron transport chain, water, ATP and NADPH. 2. Explain how ATP is created. Use the terms electron transport chain, hydrogen gradient, ATP synthase, ADP and ATP.
6th period did the above, but also completed the Calvin cycle. They were asked to explain how glucose is made, using the terms: carbon dioxide, RuBP, rubisco, ATP, NADPH, and glucose.
There was no homework and I ran out of time for discussing last night's homework.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tuesday, April 19th - Photosynthesis and homework
(summary of what we did in class today is below the homework)
HOMEWORK IS DUE ON BLOCK DAY:
Read the information about the photosynthesis lab at the link below then answer the 6 questions written below.
http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/lab4/concepts2.html
Explain each of these in your own words. Do not copy responses directly from the simulation.
In class today we continued our conversation about photosynthesis. This information can also be found in chapter 10 of your text. We started with a big picture of how light is used to make sugar in the chloroplasts and then focused in on the light-dependent reactions.
HOMEWORK IS DUE ON BLOCK DAY:
Read the information about the photosynthesis lab at the link below then answer the 6 questions written below.
http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/lab4/concepts2.html
Explain each of these in your own words. Do not copy responses directly from the simulation.
1. What is the function of DPIP in this experiment?
2. What does a spectrophotometer measure AND why do we use a spectrophotometer rather than just collecting this data visually?
3. Predict what we will see happening to the % transmittance in each of the 4 tubes (increase in tranmittance, decrease in transmittance or transmittance will stay the same) and explain.
Tube 1: No DPIP, unboiled chloroplasts
Tube 2: DPIP, unboiled chloroplasts
Tube 3: DPIP, unboiled chloroplasts, wrapped in foil
Tube 4: DPIP, boiled chloroplasts
3. Predict what we will see happening to the % transmittance in each of the 4 tubes (increase in tranmittance, decrease in transmittance or transmittance will stay the same) and explain.
Tube 1: No DPIP, unboiled chloroplasts
Tube 2: DPIP, unboiled chloroplasts
Tube 3: DPIP, unboiled chloroplasts, wrapped in foil
Tube 4: DPIP, boiled chloroplasts
4. Analyze the data in the table below.
Transmittance (%) Time (min.)
Cuvette | 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 |
2 Unboiled/Dark | 31 | 34 | 35 | 36 |
3 Unboiled/Light | 33 | 47 | 58 | 60 |
4 Boiled/Light | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 |
5 No Chloroplasts | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
5. In the following sample data table explain what most likely went wrong to give us this data. (only include explanation that would give THIS particular set of data)
A) Describe the trends seen and
B) Explain why we see these trends.
Transmittance (%) Time (min.)
Cuvette | 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 |
2 Unboiled/Dark | 31 | 34 | 35 | 36 |
3 Unboiled/Light | 33 | 47 | 58 | 60 |
4 Boiled/Light | 32 | 45 | 55 | 58 |
5 No Chloroplasts | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
6. In the following sample data table explain what most likely went wrong to give us this data. (only include explanation that would give THIS particular set of data)
Transmittance (%) Time (min.)
Cuvette | 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 |
2 Unboiled/Dark | 31 | 39 | 45 | 50 |
3 Unboiled/Light | 33 | 47 | 58 | 60 |
4 Boiled/Light | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 |
5 No Chloroplasts | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
In class today we continued our conversation about photosynthesis. This information can also be found in chapter 10 of your text. We started with a big picture of how light is used to make sugar in the chloroplasts and then focused in on the light-dependent reactions.
Monday April 18th: Photosynthesis Intro
1. Vocabulary Quiz 4 tomorrow!
2. Review sessions every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 3:05 to 4:35.
Class began with a quiz on the Ch. 40-42 homework packet.
Next we moved on to either finishing up plant nutrition (two classes needed to discuss the workings of phloem and the role of symbiotic organisms) or began photosynthesis.
Information about photosynthesis can also be found in Chapter 10 of your textbook.k
2. Review sessions every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 3:05 to 4:35.
Class began with a quiz on the Ch. 40-42 homework packet.
Next we moved on to either finishing up plant nutrition (two classes needed to discuss the workings of phloem and the role of symbiotic organisms) or began photosynthesis.
Information about photosynthesis can also be found in Chapter 10 of your textbook.k
Saturday, April 16, 2011
For Procrastinators Who Also Check the Blog.
I have been informed that the Ch. 40-42 reading guides have different section titles and locations of information from your edition of the textbook. I have gone through Ch. 40 and am supplying the correct page numbers for each question here:
CH. 40
1. 821-822
2. 831
3. 823
4. 823-825
5. 832
6. 833
7. 832
8. 832
9. 833
10. 833
11. 833
12. 835
13. 835, 837, 838 +825 (describes adipose tissue)
14. 836
15. 839
16. 828
17. 829
18. 830
19. 840
CH. 40
1. 821-822
2. 831
3. 823
4. 823-825
5. 832
6. 833
7. 832
8. 832
9. 833
10. 833
11. 833
12. 835
13. 835, 837, 838 +825 (describes adipose tissue)
14. 836
15. 839
16. 828
17. 829
18. 830
19. 840
Friday, April 15th: Plant Nutrition Wrap Up
1. Ch. 40-42 Reading Guide due Monday.
2. There will be a quiz on the Ch. 40-42 Reading Guide on Monday. 15 questions.
3. Vocab Quiz 4 on Tuesday.
We had our ASB election assembly today, so classes were only 40 minutes.
Students worked with table partners to compare answers to the Plant Essential Question 1: How do plants acquire and distribute nutrients and water? And then we went over the information together.
Most of our focus today was on the xylem and phloem, both their composition and how they function. We concluded with a quick overview of the symbiotic relationships that help plants acquire nutrients and water. These included:
2. There will be a quiz on the Ch. 40-42 Reading Guide on Monday. 15 questions.
3. Vocab Quiz 4 on Tuesday.
We had our ASB election assembly today, so classes were only 40 minutes.
Students worked with table partners to compare answers to the Plant Essential Question 1: How do plants acquire and distribute nutrients and water? And then we went over the information together.
Most of our focus today was on the xylem and phloem, both their composition and how they function. We concluded with a quick overview of the symbiotic relationships that help plants acquire nutrients and water. These included:
- fungal mycorhizzae that connect to plant roots to increase surface area for water absorption.
- nitrogen-fixing bacteria that may live in nodules at the plant root.
- insects that provide nitrogen to carnivorous plants.
- parasites that remove nutrients or water from their plant hosts (aphids, some types of ivy, etc.)
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13th: Block Day
1. Ch. 40-42 packet is due on Monday
2. There will be a quiz on this material on Monday (5 questions from each chapter).
3. Vocab Quiz 4 on Tuesday!
4. Homework is to complete Plant Essential Question #1: How do plants acquire and distribute nutrients and water?
Today we started by going over the Animal Kingdom free response question that was given out on Tuesday. This assignment was collected.
Next we finished the Phyla of the animal kingdom checklist. We identified that all chordates have a notochord at some point during development and that reptiles, aves and mammals have an amnion. We then finished by noting that all chordates have an endoskeleton, Phylum Arthropoda have an exoskeleton and everything from Phylum Cnideria to Phylum Annelida has a hydrostatic skeleton.
I gave students about 15 minutes to look at preserved specimens from each of the phyla. And that concluded the Diversity Unit.
The Plant Unit:
We will be learning more about plants by investigating three essential questions:
1. How do plants acquire and distribute nutrients and water?
2. How do angiosperms reproduce?
3. How is plant growth controlled?
We began by investigating the first essential question. Completing this question only is your homework. Answers do not need to be in essay form.
2. There will be a quiz on this material on Monday (5 questions from each chapter).
3. Vocab Quiz 4 on Tuesday!
4. Homework is to complete Plant Essential Question #1: How do plants acquire and distribute nutrients and water?
Today we started by going over the Animal Kingdom free response question that was given out on Tuesday. This assignment was collected.
Next we finished the Phyla of the animal kingdom checklist. We identified that all chordates have a notochord at some point during development and that reptiles, aves and mammals have an amnion. We then finished by noting that all chordates have an endoskeleton, Phylum Arthropoda have an exoskeleton and everything from Phylum Cnideria to Phylum Annelida has a hydrostatic skeleton.
I gave students about 15 minutes to look at preserved specimens from each of the phyla. And that concluded the Diversity Unit.
The Plant Unit:
We will be learning more about plants by investigating three essential questions:
1. How do plants acquire and distribute nutrients and water?
2. How do angiosperms reproduce?
3. How is plant growth controlled?
We began by investigating the first essential question. Completing this question only is your homework. Answers do not need to be in essay form.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Tuesday, April 12th: Continuing Animal Kingdom
We had an odd schedule for the HSPE test today. I saw 3rd, 5th and 6th periods for 40 minutes each and did not see 2nd period at all!
Reminders:
1. Test corrections are due today at 3:05.
2. First review session will be today at 3:05.
3. Homework for 3rd, 5th and 6th is the Animal Kingdom free response with the phylogenetic tree that I handed out in class.
4. Ch. 40-\42 packet is due on Monday.
In class:
We began with Vocab Quiz 3.
Next we continued the Phyla of the Animal Kingdom checklist that we began yesterday. Our focus was on differentiating between the triploblasts by bringing in acoelomate vs. pseudocoelomate vs. coelomate. Within the coelomates we further divided the phyla into protostome (1st mouth) vs. deuterostome (2nd mouth) and how their embryonic development differs.
Reminders:
1. Test corrections are due today at 3:05.
2. First review session will be today at 3:05.
3. Homework for 3rd, 5th and 6th is the Animal Kingdom free response with the phylogenetic tree that I handed out in class.
4. Ch. 40-\42 packet is due on Monday.
In class:
We began with Vocab Quiz 3.
Next we continued the Phyla of the Animal Kingdom checklist that we began yesterday. Our focus was on differentiating between the triploblasts by bringing in acoelomate vs. pseudocoelomate vs. coelomate. Within the coelomates we further divided the phyla into protostome (1st mouth) vs. deuterostome (2nd mouth) and how their embryonic development differs.
Monday April 11th: the Animal Kingdom
Reminders:
1. Vocabulary Quiz 3 is tomorrow!
2. Test corrections are due at 3:05 tomorrow.
3. If you missed the Take Home Diversity Quiz or the Ch. 40-42 packet see me as soon as possible.
4. I will begin offering review sessions on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 3:05 to 4:35. Tomorrow is the first session.
In Class:
We began the Animal Kingdom by introducing terms used to differentiate between phyla, such as: asymmetrical vs. radially symmetrical vs. bilaterally symmetrical, cephalization, and diploblastic vs. triploblastic. We used these terms to begin filling in a Phyla of the Animal Kingdom checklist. If you did not receive this checklist you must see me.
1. Vocabulary Quiz 3 is tomorrow!
2. Test corrections are due at 3:05 tomorrow.
3. If you missed the Take Home Diversity Quiz or the Ch. 40-42 packet see me as soon as possible.
4. I will begin offering review sessions on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 3:05 to 4:35. Tomorrow is the first session.
In Class:
We began the Animal Kingdom by introducing terms used to differentiate between phyla, such as: asymmetrical vs. radially symmetrical vs. bilaterally symmetrical, cephalization, and diploblastic vs. triploblastic. We used these terms to begin filling in a Phyla of the Animal Kingdom checklist. If you did not receive this checklist you must see me.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Friday before break
We made it to break! Today in class I collected the Diversity Take Home test. Students then got the choice of either working on test corrections or the Ch. 40, 41, 42 Reading Guide.
Test Corrections are due at 3:05 on the Tuesday after break. The Reading Guides are due on Monday, April 18th. Also on Monday the 18th there will be a quiz on chapters 40, 41 and 42.
A note on the reading guide: this was created from the eighth edition of our textbook, but we have the seventh. This means that some of the sections are switched around. The information is still in the same chapters, but may be a little harder to find. Sorry about that.
I wish you all a relaxing, fun and safe break!
Test Corrections are due at 3:05 on the Tuesday after break. The Reading Guides are due on Monday, April 18th. Also on Monday the 18th there will be a quiz on chapters 40, 41 and 42.
A note on the reading guide: this was created from the eighth edition of our textbook, but we have the seventh. This means that some of the sections are switched around. The information is still in the same chapters, but may be a little harder to find. Sorry about that.
I wish you all a relaxing, fun and safe break!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday: Plant Diversity and Fungi!
- Test Corrections are due Tuesday, April 12th.
- Diversity Take Home Test Questions #1-20 only are due on Friday!! If you will be gone on Friday you need to somehow get me your answers before you leave to receive full credit!
- Charophyceans have peroxisomes to reduce photorespiration (increase efficiency of photosynthesis) and have chlorophyll b, which is less susceptible to UV bleaching.
- Bryophytes have jacketed (protected) gametangia in the form of archegonia and antheridia to protect the gametes from UV damage. They also have a cuticle and air spaces to protect from desiccation.
- Lycophytes have a vascular system that supports the plant and increases efficiency of water and nutrient transport. They also have a dominant sporophyte stage which reduces the effect of UV mutations on gametes.
- Pterophytes have rhizomes, which are a subterranean horizontal stem with small "roots" and shoots. They also have an increased photosynthetic surface.
- Gymnosperms have pollen, which removes the need for water to transport the sperm. In addition they have a seed which is to prevent desiccation and protect the embryo until growing conditions are right and it provides nutrition for the early growth of the embryo.
- Angiosperms have a flower which serves to attract pollinators, thus increasing diversity and fertilization rate. They also produce fruits, which aid in dispersal of seeds by attracting animals.
Angiosperms (flowering plants) have wide distribution in the biosphere and the largest number of species in the plant kingdom.
a) Discuss the function of FOUR structures for reproduction found in angiosperms and the adaptive (evolutionary) significance of each.
b) Mosses (bryophytes) have not achieved the widespread terrestrial success of angiosperms. Discuss how the anatomy and reproductive strategies of mosses limit their distribution.
c) Explain alternation of generations in either angiosperms or mosses.
We went through the rubric together.3. The rest of the class time was dedicated to Kingdom Fungi. The 3 most critical slides are below.
Tuesday: More Plants!
Test Corrections are due Tuesday, April 12th (right after break)
1. We took our second Vocabulary Quiz today. If you missed this quiz you must make it up as soon as you return.
2. In pairs you completed the four plant life cycle diagrams which we then went through together in class.
3. We then turned our focus back to the Ch. 29 Reading Guide and the Plant Diversity table. We recorded that
1. We took our second Vocabulary Quiz today. If you missed this quiz you must make it up as soon as you return.
2. In pairs you completed the four plant life cycle diagrams which we then went through together in class.
3. We then turned our focus back to the Ch. 29 Reading Guide and the Plant Diversity table. We recorded that
- The bryophytes are the only plant group that has a dominant gametophyte stage; the others have a dominant sporophyte stage.
- Sporophytes are dependent on the gametophyte only in the bryophyte group (although both Lycophytes and Pterophytes have dependent sporophytes at the earliest stages, they then become fully independent).
- The sporophyte and gametophyte are independent structures in Lycophytes and Pterophytes.
- Gametophytes are dependent on the sporophyte (in fact they are fully internal to it!) in Gymnosperms and Angiosperms.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Plants!
Test Corrections start today! Come in during tutorial to do test corrections to the Evolution Test and earn back up to half your missed points. Test Corrections will be due at 3:05 on the Monday after break.
Vocabulary Quiz 2 is tomorrow!
Today our focus was on plants. We started by going through the top of the table on page 3 of the packet. spent some time discussing the vascular system (xylem up, phloem down!), the limitations of flagellated sperm, and the advantages of pollen, seeds, flowers and fruits. However, the bulk of the class time was spent on alternation of generations, which is one of the most important topics covered within this kingdom. Here are some animations of alternation of generations: Life Cycles of Ferns and Flowering Plants, Life Cycle of a Gymnosperm, Life Cycle of a Moss
To check your understanding of these concepts, try Activity 29.1, Activity 29.2, and Activity 30.1.
Tomorrow we will be taking the Vocab Quiz, finishing the diagrams of the various life cycles, going over the rest of the plant packet, looking at a past FRQ on this topic and introducing Kingdom Fungi!
Vocabulary Quiz 2 is tomorrow!
Today our focus was on plants. We started by going through the top of the table on page 3 of the packet. spent some time discussing the vascular system (xylem up, phloem down!), the limitations of flagellated sperm, and the advantages of pollen, seeds, flowers and fruits. However, the bulk of the class time was spent on alternation of generations, which is one of the most important topics covered within this kingdom. Here are some animations of alternation of generations: Life Cycles of Ferns and Flowering Plants, Life Cycle of a Gymnosperm, Life Cycle of a Moss
To check your understanding of these concepts, try Activity 29.1, Activity 29.2, and Activity 30.1.
Tomorrow we will be taking the Vocab Quiz, finishing the diagrams of the various life cycles, going over the rest of the plant packet, looking at a past FRQ on this topic and introducing Kingdom Fungi!
Protists!
Assembly schedule so we had short classes today.
Our focus was on Kingdom Protista. We discussed the common features of protists: eukaryotic and usually single-celled. Otherwise, the takeaway of this kingdom is its incredible diversity! Most likely this kingdom will be divided into at least three separate kingdoms in the near future. We viewed videos showing real time images of diatoms, amoeba, ciliated protists, algae, and more.
HW: Chapter 29/30 reading guide packet is due on Monday (2nd period - due Tuesday)
Our focus was on Kingdom Protista. We discussed the common features of protists: eukaryotic and usually single-celled. Otherwise, the takeaway of this kingdom is its incredible diversity! Most likely this kingdom will be divided into at least three separate kingdoms in the near future. We viewed videos showing real time images of diatoms, amoeba, ciliated protists, algae, and more.
HW: Chapter 29/30 reading guide packet is due on Monday (2nd period - due Tuesday)
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Diversity Unit Day 2
ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE TOMORROW. 2ND PERIOD STARTS AT 8:15.
HW: DUE MONDAY - Reading guide and handout for Chapters 29 and 30 on Plants.
We will be focusing on Kingdom Protista tomorrow.
- We began with a 2 point warm up question "List the categories that living things are divided into from most general to most specific."
- Next I gave a 2009 free response question on the topic of phylogeny. We traded and graded these in class, using it as another opportunity to discuss strategies on the AP Bio exam. Students kept their essays and they were not entered in the Gradebook.
- We then completed our notes on prokaryotes. If you were absent you should get these notes from a classmate. While completing these notes we checked and corrected this section in the Diversity Unit packet, which was then returned to me.
HW: DUE MONDAY - Reading guide and handout for Chapters 29 and 30 on Plants.
We will be focusing on Kingdom Protista tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Diversity Unit Day 1
Class began with our first Vocabulary Quiz. As a reminder, we will be having a vocabulary quiz every Tuesday for seven weeks.
I then introduced the Diversity Unit in a fairly standard lecture format. We first reviewed phylogeny and how scientists use evidence from the fossil record, morphology and molecular data to deduce evolutionary relationships. I emphasized that phylogenetic trees are merely hyopotheses based on the best data available. We also learned the classification scheme. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING THIS IN ORDER: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. Students offered up mnemonic devices to help remember this system.
Next began our discussion of the prokaryotic domains: bacteria and archaea. The information on these domains can be found in Chapter 27. If you missed these notes I would like you to get them from a classmate. We will continue this discussion on block day this week.
I then introduced the Diversity Unit in a fairly standard lecture format. We first reviewed phylogeny and how scientists use evidence from the fossil record, morphology and molecular data to deduce evolutionary relationships. I emphasized that phylogenetic trees are merely hyopotheses based on the best data available. We also learned the classification scheme. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING THIS IN ORDER: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. Students offered up mnemonic devices to help remember this system.
Next began our discussion of the prokaryotic domains: bacteria and archaea. The information on these domains can be found in Chapter 27. If you missed these notes I would like you to get them from a classmate. We will continue this discussion on block day this week.
Messy Monday
First, the organized stuff:
Almost every class did something different today.
- All classes have Vocabulary Quiz 1 tomorrow (20 questions matching scientific terms to their definitions)
- Friday there is an assembly schedule. If you have 1st period open you need to be at school by 8:15!
- If you are interested in the Youth Ethics Summit on April 9th from 10-4 you need to register at http://nwabr.kintera.org/11yes by April 1st
Almost every class did something different today.
- 2nd and 3rd period performed AP Lab 8: Population Genetics, which is more of an activity than and actual lab. To review the main concepts from this lab go to http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/lab8/intro.html
- 5th period gathered data from the Fruit Fly crosses and used that data to determine which allele was dominant for each eye color gene. You will receive further data at a future date.
- 6th period reviewed both the information from the Population Genetics Lab (see 2nd and 3rd period note) and the fly data collection (see p. 5 note). We then attempted to view the Evolutionary Arms Race, but ran into technical difficulties. The last 10 minutes were spent studying for tomorrow's vocabulary quiz.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Evolution Test Day
We started by addressing some mistakes in how people were thinking about isolating mechanisms between species. A reminder that these are ways in which successful reproduction is PREVENTED between members of different species.
I then gave the Evolution Test. It is 28 multiple-choice questions. If you were absent you must see me to schedule to take this test as soon as you return to school!
I also distributed a list of vocabulary prefixes, suffixes and root words. Each TUESDAY you will be given a quiz on scientific terms containing words from this list. The quizzes are 20 matching questions. The first quiz will be next Tuesday, March 22nd. In case you have misplaced your list, I have included it below.
I then gave the Evolution Test. It is 28 multiple-choice questions. If you were absent you must see me to schedule to take this test as soon as you return to school!
I also distributed a list of vocabulary prefixes, suffixes and root words. Each TUESDAY you will be given a quiz on scientific terms containing words from this list. The quizzes are 20 matching questions. The first quiz will be next Tuesday, March 22nd. In case you have misplaced your list, I have included it below.
PREFIXES, SUFFIXES, AND STEMS
The following list gives the meaning of prefixes, suffixes, and stem that are commonly used to form scientific terms. Whenever you encounter a new term in your study of biology, break it apart and try to find the parts in this list. Such a habit will greatly simplify your mastery of biological vocabulary.
As an example, you might take the word nephrology. The stem nephro‑ is derived from the Greek word nephros, meaning kidney, while the stem log‑ is derived from the Greek word Logos, meaning thought or study of. You might later encounter the word nephrolith, and you would then only have to determine the meaning of the suffix ‑lith since you would already know the meaning of the first part of the word. Or when you ran across such words as bacteriology and zoology, you would probable have a good idea of what they mean. After some practice, you will be surprised how many new words you can define without looking them up.
It has often been necessary to add a vowel to combining forms for pleasing pronunciation. For example, bacteri‑ + ‑logy becomes bacteriology. For the same reason it has been necessary, at times, to drop or change a vowel in a prefix, suffix, or stem. For example, gastro‑ becomes gastric, the adjective pertaining to the stomach.
Most scientific terms are derived from either the ancient Greek or the Latin because neither of these languages is in used now so that they are unchanging, and also they are studied universally. As a result, you will find that Latin noun endings are often used in biology. As a help in determining the plural of words with Latin endings, you might memorize the following:
QUIZ 1 | |
a‑, an‑ | no; lacking; none |
ab‑ | away from; out from |
ac‑ | to; toward |
‑aceus; ‑aceous | of or pertaining to |
acou‑ | hearing |
acr‑; acro‑ | extreme; peak |
ad‑ | to; toward |
adeno‑ | gland |
agri‑ | field, soil |
‑al | having character of |
alb‑ | white |
‑algia | pain |
alto‑ | high |
ameb‑ | change; alternation |
amphibi‑ | leading a double life |
ampho‑; amb‑ | both |
an‑ | not; without |
ana‑ | up |
andro‑ | masculine; man |
wind | |
vessel | |
ante‑ | before; ahead of time |
front | |
flower | |
anti‑ | against |
man | |
to; toward | |
water | |
primitive; ancient | |
joint | |
stars | |
‑ate | |
used in forming nouns from verbs | |
atom‑ | vapor |
hear | |
auto‑ | self |
stick; club | |
barb‑ | beard |
weight | |
bath‑ | depth; height |
well; good | |
bi‑ | two; twice; double |
life; living | |
‑blast | sprout; germ |
having arms | |
having fins | |
short | |
windpipe | |
heat | |
coal; carbon | |
heart | |
meat | |
carp‑ | fruit |
wrist | |
tail | |
QUIZ 2 | |
storeroom; chamber | |
new; recent | |
hundredth | |
center | |
head | |
neck | |
referring to chemistry | |
green | |
color | |
juice | |
killing | |
around; about | |
co‑ | with; together |
seed | |
hollow | |
glue | |
com‑ | with; together |
con‑ | with; together |
cone | |
contra‑ | against |
body | |
world; order; form | |
cup | |
counter‑ | against |
crypt‑ | hidden; covered |
added to nouns to form diminutive | |
heaped | |
skin | |
dark blue | |
ring; circle | |
cyst‑ | bladder; pouch |
cell; receptacle | |
finger | |
ten | |
tenth | |
become fluid | |
half | |
tree | |
dent‑ | tooth |
skin | |
two; double | |
through; across | |
digit | finger; toe |
din‑ | terrible |
apart; out | |
dorm‑ | sleep |
back | |
du‑; duo | two |
‑duct | lead |
power | |
ill; bad | |
out of; outside | |
spiny; prickly | |
house | |
QUIZ 3 | |
outside; without | |
electric; electricity | |
en‑ | in; into |
‑en | made of |
brain | |
within; in | |
enter‑ | intestines |
nature of; like | |
on; above | |
‑err | wander; go astray |
red | |
race; people | |
well; good | |
extra‑ | beyond; outside of |
ex‑ | out of |
bear; carry; produce | |
iron | |
fiber; thread | |
divided into; split | |
bend | |
flower | |
fluorine | |
leaf | |
break | |
milk; milky fluid | |
stomach | |
land; earth | |
producer; former | |
‑gene; gene‑ | origin |
carry; produce | |
glob‑ | ball; round |
glottis | mouth of windpipe |
angle; corner | |
offspring; generation; coming into being | |
‑grade | step; division |
‑gram | writing; record |
writing; record | |
heavy | |
gross | thick |
naked | |
female | |
ring; circle; spiral | |
blood | |
liver | |
herb‑ | grass |
different; other | |
hex‑ | six |
winter | |
QUIZ 4 | |
horse | |
tissue | |
entire; whole | |
man | |
same; alike | |
garden | |
hybrid | mongrel |
water | |
wet; moist | |
beneath; under; less | |
hyper‑ | above; beyond; over |
weaving | |
sleep | |
added to nouns to form adjectives | |
fish | |
fire | |
not | |
in‑ | to; toward; into |
in‑ | not |
of or pertaining to | |
below, beneath | |
inter‑ | between |
within; inside | |
‑ion | go; come |
‑ism | a state or condition |
equal; same | |
inflammation; disease | |
kilo‑ | thousand |
tear | |
milk | |
side; flank | |
‑less | without |
white; bright; light | |
wood | |
line | |
tongue | |
lip‑ | fat |
stone; petrifying | |
place | |
study | |
dissolve; decompose | |
large | |
bad; evil | |
hammer | |
breast | |
border; edge | |
mast‑ | breast |
middle | |
great; million | |
black; dark | |
middle; half; intermediate | |
met‑; meta‑ | between; along; after |
meteor‑ | lofty, high, in air |
way of measuring, instrument for measuring | |
metro‑ | uterus |
QUIZ 5 | |
micro‑ | small |
milli‑ | thousandth |
wrong; incorrect | |
thread; filament | |
mole‑ | mass |
mono‑ | one; single |
mountain | |
death | |
move | |
shape; form | |
multi‑ | many |
threadlike | |
fungus | |
many | |
moll‑ | soft |
nose | |
thread | |
new; recent | |
kidney | |
moist; liquid | |
nerve; tendon | |
night | |
‑node | knot |
distribute; arrange; law | |
non‑ | not |
not‑ | back |
center | |
against | |
eye | |
eight | |
tooth | |
like in form or shape | |
smell | |
all | |
egg | |
eye | |
eye; vision | |
orb‑ | circle; round; ring |
straight; correct; right | |
mouth | |
bone | |
full of; abounding in | |
egg | |
sharp; acid; oxygen | |
thick | |
old; ancient | |
palm‑ | broad; flat |
pan‑ | all |
par‑ | beside; near; equal; bring forth |
path‑; ‑pathy | disease; suffering |
‑ped | foot |
pent‑ | five |
QUIZ 6 | |
per‑ | through |
pass; go | |
eat | |
show | |
phil‑ | living; fond of |
sound | |
bearer | |
photo‑ | light |
seaweed; algae | |
leaf | |
nature; natural qualities | |
plant | |
plan‑ | roaming; wandering |
form; formed into | |
rib; lung | |
lungs; air | |
‑pod | foot |
poly‑ | many; several |
opening | |
port‑ | carry |
post‑ | after; behind |
fruit | |
pre‑ | before; ahead of time |
pro‑ | forward; favoring |
rectum; anus | |
first; primary | |
false; deceptive | |
having wings or fins | |
lung | |
drive; push | |
heat; fire | |
four; four‑fold | |
five | |
ray; spoke of a wheel; energy in rays | |
re‑ | again; back |
correct; right | |
kidney | |
net; made like a net | |
nose | |
root | |
red | |
sugar | |
rotten | |
lizard | |
hard | |
know | |
scope | look; observe |
‑scribe; script | write |
semi‑ | half; partly |
QUIZ 7 | |
sept‑ | partition; seven |
septic | putrefaction; infection |
sex‑ | six |
condition; state | |
sol‑ | sun |
loosen; free | |
sleep | |
son‑ | sound |
look at | |
sperm‑ | seed |
ball | |
‑spire | breathe |
spore | seed |
standing; placed | |
stars | |
stern‑ | breast; chest |
mouth | |
layer | |
stereo‑ | solid; three dimensions |
strict‑ | drawn tight |
pillar | |
sub‑ | under; below |
super‑ | over; above; on top |
sur‑ | over; above; on top |
together | |
quick; swift | |
ankle | |
tax‑ | arrangement |
far off; at a distance | |
earth | |
four | |
young shoot | |
heat | |
cut; slice | |
poison | |
top‑ | place |
trans‑ | across |
three | |
hair | |
one who feeds; well fed | |
turning; changing | |
diminutive | |
ultra‑ | beyond |
urine | |
vessel | |
carry | |
come | |
belly | |
vice‑ | in place of |
strong | |
life | |
roll; wander | |
devour; eat | |
yellow | |
animal | |
yolk | |
yeast |
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