Circulation Short Test on Thursday 12/13

What's on it?

1. Annotate (label) heart diagram
2. Outline the Journey of the Blood as it goes through, saying what happens at each part, including valves
3. Compare and contrast veins, arteries, capillaries
4. Difference between Galen's views and Harvey's views about blood circulation
5. Details on atherosclerosis:  risk factors, what happens, etc
6. Control of heart beat
7. 5-8 Multiple Choice
8. Perhaps a DBQ

Digestion Quiz on Thursday 11/29

Just a heads up so that you know what to prepare for.  The quiz is about 35 points and has these components:

1. Draw and label the digestion system, including the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.  There is an example at the end of the notes slide show.
2. Describe what happens to food as it moves through the system.
3. Pick 2 out of 3 short answer questions on digestive enzymes, absorption, and villi structure and function.
4. About 7 multiple choice questions

The 3 Weeks Until Winter Break!

• Tuesday 11/27:  You should submit a focused question for your IA to me today.  If you are not sure, it is great to have a back up!  Revisit the starch dialysis tubing labs.  Joe Eats a Burger Simulation.  Kahoot review for digestion quiz/test to be taken on Thursday.
• Thursday 11/29:  Digestion Quiz.  Start human circulation with the Circulation Worksheet.  Read 6.2.
• Monday 12/3:  Go over parts of the heart and the path of blood through the body.  Discuss William Harvey and Galen.  Continue working on the circulation worksheet, due Friday.  Work on your materials and procedure for your IA!
• Wednesday 12/5:  Check off Circulation Worksheet.  Dissect Pig Hearts.
• Friday 12/7:  Check off Circulation Worksheet and go over.  Review control of the heartbeat, occlusion of the arteries, bypass surgery, and more!  Practice taking heart rate and blood pressure measurements using equipment in the lab.  Submit your methodology and materials for your IA today.
• Tues 12/11:  Review circulation material, play Kahoot, and practice taking heart rate and blood pressure.   Short circulation test on Thursday 12/13.  Continue working through details with your IA.  Pre-lab (background, question, procedure, discussion of variables, etc) or due through turnitin.com before you start taking data in January.
• Thurs 12/13:  Circulation Quiz.  Read 6.4 and start working through concepts on the lungs.

Enjoy your Winter Break!!  See you in 2019!

Moving into the 2nd Quarter!!

• Tues 10/30:  Notes on Antibiotic Resistance and Speciation.  Work time for the Animal Poster project.  Read 10.3 if not already.   Do 2 out of the 4 DBQ's  from section 10.3
• Thurs 11/1:  Start Notes on Cell Evolution.  Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium.  Hardy-Weinberg simulation.  Complete the packet and turn it in today or next Monday.  Work on poster project.  Read 1.5 on Cell Evolution.  
• Mon 11/5:  You will have 10 minutes to do quick work on your poster project.  Walk around poster evaluation.  Turn in Hardy-Weinberg if not already.  Finish Notes on Cell Evolution and brief notes on Human Evolution.
• Wed 11/7:  Review Evolution.  Short evolution test on Friday.
• Fri 11/9:  Short Evolution Test.  Start digestion!!  Read 6.1.
• Wed 11/14:  Review parts of the human digestion system and enzyme action.
• Fri 11/16:  Structure of villi and absorption.

Biodiversity Test next Tuesday, 10/23. What is going to be on it?

• THIS TEST WILL INCLUDE:
• About 10 multiple choice
• List Domain through species categories and list all 8 for an animal and a plant (we did humans and the Coast Redwood)
• Use a cladogram or dichotomous key to sort out 8-10 animals that I will give you.  Please use characteristics (i.e. has 4 limbs) and not previously determined classification categories (like mammals) to do the sorting
• You will be given a cladogram with numbers on it and be asked to use it to determine which organisms diverged the longest ago or most recently, etc.
• 3-4 short answer questions comparing organisms from various groups (like aves and reptilia),  using Uniprot and Jalview to make cladogram, the concept of molecular clocks, why we classify, etc.

Mid-October

• Tues 10/9:  Notes on Invertebrate Phyla and Chordate Classes.  Work time for Dichotomous Key Activity (have ready for another student to do on Monday 10/15).  Mesocosm Observation.
• Wed 10/10:  Short classes!  Brief introduction to cladograms and do Cladogram Activity Part I done in pairs.  Mesocosm write-up due through turnitin.com tomorrow, 10/11.  Read 5.4.
• Mon 10/15:  Exchange dichotomous keys and do them.  Cladogram computer activity (cladogram Part II).  
• Wed 10/17:  Finish Cladogram Activity, Molecular Clocks, and other cladogram activities.  Overview of Biodiversity Test to be taken next Tuesday 10/23.   Read 5.1 and do 2 out of the 3 DBQ's in that section in your notebook.
• Fri 10/19:  Review for Biodiversity Test.  Darwin Video.  List evidence for evolution and do 2 out of 3 DBQ's in 5.1 in not already.
• Tues 10/23:  Short Biodiversity Test.  Principles of natural selection and evidence for evolution.  Read 5.2.  DBQ on p. 253 and 255.
• Thurs 10/25:  Darwin and the Galapagos Finches.  DBQ on p. 255.  Introduce animal poster project.  

Lesson Plan for Friday 10/5/2018

Early Work:  What phylum of animals has bilateral symmetry, jointed legs, and an exoskeleton?

Daily Schedule:  

1. Early Work
2. Turn in Animal Phyla Lab if not already
3. Fish Dichotomous Key:  done in pairs.  Using the key provided, identify all of the types of fish.  Write the key numbers as we did in the Animal Phyla lab and the name of the fish next to each fish.  When finished, put both of your names on the fish part and turn it in.  You can return the key part.  There are a few challenges to this activity, especially with the question of whether or not the fish has scales because that is hard to see.  Mr. Kral can help you identify which fish have scales.
4. When finished, start make your own dichotomous key to separate out 10 items of your choice.  Themes can include types of foods, tv shows, characters, sports teams, items of clothing, etc.  You need to provide pictures of all 10 items and write the key so that it is easy to follow using the pictures.  We will present these in class on Wednesday 10/10.  Yes, we now have class that day if you haven't already heard.  This activity can be done in pairs or by yourself!
5. Make sure that you do a Mesocosm Observation today.  The final mesocosm write-up is due Thursday 10/11 through turnitin.com.

What are/have we been doing?

• Tues 9/25:  Kahoot review for ecology test.  Mesocosm Observations.  Turn in Whitaker Ponds assignment through turnitin.com by 9:00 pm tonight.
• Thurs 9/27:  Questions?  Take Ecology Test.  Mesocosm observations.  Read 5.3 for next week.
• Mon 10/1:  Notes on Classification, including reasons for classifying, classification categories, the 3 domains, and binomial nomenclature.  Work time:  1) Find 10 unusual species names and write them in your notebook 2)  Make up 10 species names using an analogy and at least 4 different genera  3)  DBQ on p. 262   4)  Mesocosm observations
• Wed 10/3:  Animal Phyla ID Lab!  4 Phyla of plants.  Complete hand-out and turn it in or turn in on Friday.  Mesocosm Observations.
• Fri 10/5:  Fish Dichotomous Key Activity.  Make your own dichotomous key for 10 items based on visible characteristics.  Make sure that you include pictures so that a student could do your key without knowing about the items.  Dichotomous Key is due Monday 10/16.  Read 5.4 in the text.

Mesocosm Assignment

One of the 7 required practicals for IB Biology is to study a mesocosm in the classroom.  

The write-up will be due in 2-3 weeks (will be finalized after I see how the mesocosms are doing) through turnitin.com and should include:

1. Detailed observations from at least 6 separate days.  Include water clarity, condition and growth of plants, types of animals, behavior of animals, condition of muck and other debris, etc. Make it clear which mesocosm goes with each observation and which day.  You can include details about the classroom conditions (temperature, light, etc) if you think they are relevant.
2. Use vocabulary from the ecology unit to try to explain what you think is happening in the mesocosms.  For example, information about cycles, energy, and types of nutrition would be appropriate.  You don't have to know exactly what is going on or know the names of the organisms, but do your best to give reasonable explanations.  If you use outside information in your explanations, state where or how you got the information.
3. Predict what you think will happen in the mesocosms, giving a reason for your predictions.

I expect that a good job on this assignment will take about 2 pages of writing, although it is the quality and ideas that count, not the quantity.

What is on the Ecology Test (next Thursday 9/27)

1. 10-15 Multiple Choice Questions
2. 4 short-answer questions:  topics could include drawing and labeling an energy pyramid, drawing and labeling a food web, calculating and interpreting a chi-squared test, drawing and labeling a carbon cycle that includes relevant pools and fluxes, explaining how Greenhouse gases cause warming of the Earth, describing the relationship between carbon dioxide levels and rising temperatures, etc.!
3. A data-based question related to this topic
4. A longer question on describing the problem of climate change:  what is it, the science, controversy, precautionary principle and what it means, and possible mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Some important vocabulary:  species, population, community, ecosystem, abiotic environment, producer, consumer, decomposer, detritivore, saprotroph, autotroph, heterotroph, sustainability, mesocosm, trophic level, energy pyramid, carbon fixation, methanogenesis, peat, combustion, carbon flux, carbon pool, greenhouse gas,

Weeks 3 and 4

• Tues 9/11:  Present carbon cycles to the class.  Start notes on climate change.  Do critter sorting and Simpson Diversity Index part of Biotic Factors worksheet (to prepare for Field Trip next Wed 9/19).  Hand out 2 Field Trip forms to get signed.  Check off 4.3 DBQ's and carbon cycle drawn in notebook.
• Thurs 9/13:  Go outside and practice using quadrats and measuring the height of trees using a measuring tape and a Clinometer.  Come back inside and complete the biotic factors worksheet and get it checked off.  Do DBQ's on pp. 233 and 234.
• Mon 9/17:  Do chemical water testing using the aquarium water in the classroom.  Go over what we will do on the Field Trip and pack and label our equipment.   With the muck that I am bringing in from Whitaker Ponds, each class will make a sealed mesocosm and each individual should make their first observation.  Finish checking off all DBQ's and go over the answers.  There will be an Ecology Test next Thursday 9/27.
• Wed 9/19:  Whitaker Ponds Field Trip!  Students going on the AM Field Trip should come to Room 214 by 8:10 am and we will get our equipment assembled and go out to the bus when we are all ready.  The bus should return to Lincoln by 11:30 am and we will return to the classroom, organize the equipment, empty the dump jars, and leave everything ready for the PM field trip.  PM field trippers should meet in Room 214 by 11:45, get your equipment set, and we will head out to the bus to leave by 12:00 pm.  The PM bus should return by 3:10 or so, and we will have time to get the equipment back to the classroom, dump out the dump jars, and clean up.
• Fri 9/21:  Reflection on the field trip.  Make sure that you have put your data into the class database.  Finish talking about climate change and review what will be on the Ecology Test next Thurs 9/27.

Beginning of the Year!

Here is what we have already done and will be doing at the beginning of this year:

• Mon 8/27:  Full 8 Day!  30 minutes of brief introduction to the year.  Read 4.1.
• Wed 8/29:  Classroom procedures.  Hand out Safety Contract and Academic Contract to be signed by next Friday 9/7.  Group work on Ecology.  Individual bookwork done in your notebook.  Read 4.2.
• Fri 8/31:  Go over 4.1 bookwork.  Discuss how to do Chi-Squared and do it.  Get 4.1 work checked off today or next Wednesday.  Notes on nutrient cycling, sustainability, and mesocosms.  Jane Poynter video on Biosphere 2.
• Wed 9/5:  Finish checking off 4.1 work and go over it.  Energy transformation notes.  At your table group, make an illustrated food web that includes at least 10 organisms and draw an energy pyramid that represents one of the food chains.  Read 4.3.
• Fri 9/7:  Carbon cycling.  Distinguish between carbon pools and carbon fluxes.  Pick 2 out of the 4 DBQ's in 4.3 and do them in your notebook.  Draw a labeled carbon cycle in your notebook.  Read 4.4 for next Tuesday.

In-class Work for 8/29/2018

Group Brainstorm.  Have somebody in your group record to share out.

1. What do you think “ecology” means?

2.  What topics do you think fit under the ecology umbrella?

3.  When people say that a person is “ecologically-minded”, what do they mean?

4.   Who are some famous ecologists?

To be done in your notebook (each of you).  You can use 4.1 in the text for the rest

5.  What are     a)  producers?     b)  primary consumers?    c)  secondary consumers?     

d)  detritivores?    e)  saprotrophs?       If possible, include an example of each of the above.

6.  What are   a)  autotrophs?    b)  heterotrophs?   Examples?

7.  Define:  a)  species    b)  population    c)  community

8. What is an ecosystem?  Give 3 examples.

9.  How does an ecosystem remain sustainable?

10. DBQ on p. 204

11. DBQ on p. 209 (start if you have time, but we will discuss this and have more time on Fri 9/31)

Welcome Back to IB Biology HL!!

Welcome back for your senior year (except for a couple of you) of IB Biology!  I think you will enjoy the material for this year as we have saved the best for last!  At the same time, it will also take a lot of effort and perseverance.  It can be very challenging to juggle college aps, extended essays, portfolios, athletics, activities, and just having a social life!  You will probably find that you can't do it all and you will have to make some choices so that you can navigate the year.  Here is the proposed outline of topics for this year: 

Ecology (Chapter 4)

Biodiversity (5.3 and 5.4)

Evolution (5.1, 5.2, 1.5 and 10.3)

Digestion (6.1)

Circulation (6.2)

Respiration (6.4)

Carry out Individual Investigation (IA)

Semester 1 Final Exam

Immunology (6.3 and 11.1)

Muscles and Movement (11.2)

The Kidney (11.3)

Sexual Reproduction (6.6 and 11.4)

Neurons and Synapses (6.5)

Option A,B,C, or D (we will vote shortly)

Review for the IB Exam!

Late April:  Practice IB Exam on Papers 1, 2, and 3

May:  take IB exams and work on end of year projects

Information about the Final Exam

1. The final exam is on the 2nd semester only
2. List of topics is in the documents section
3. Short answer questions are in the documents section (we will randomly choose 8 on the day of the test and you will answer 6 of the 8):  36 pts
4. About 40 multiple choice questions done on a Scantron:  40 pts
5. Any form of cheating, whether it be getting questions or answers from another person or source or GIVING questions or answers to another person or source, results in a score of ZERO on the exam.  Don't do it!
6. No phones are allowed out at all and you must remain quiet and nondistracting until all students are done with the exam.

End of the Year!

• Tues 5/22:  Finish up on Flowers.  Life Plant Video.  Fill out hand-out as we go and get it checked off.
• Thurs 5/24:  Kahoot Review for Plant Test.  Work on Plant Inquiry.  Deadline extended until Saturday 5/26 at 6:00 pm.
• Tues 5/29:  Plant Test.  Start reviewing for semester exam.
• Thurs 5/3l:  Go over review topics and Short/Medium Answer Questions for Final Exam.
• Mon 6/4:  Play Final Kahoot Review.  Deadline for late work and Extra Credit is today!  
• Wed 6/6:  Finals  1, 2, and 4.
• Thurs 6/7:  Finals 5, 6, and 8
• Fri 6/8:  Finals 3 and 7

Plant Inquiry Assignment

Plant Unit Inquiry:  You will be writing up the beginning of this lab, but you don’t have to do it!

1. Come up with a plant topic for which you can write an inquiry lab.  Check if with Ms. Kenny
2. Write at least 2 paragraphs of background, using citations where necessary.  Remember that usually backgrounds start general and then go to more specific (what you will be actually doing) and also hopefully give some reason why you think this investigation is important/interesting/worthwhile (5 pts)
3. Write a focused question (remember that it needs to be specific!)  (1 pt)
4. List and discuss variables:  independent (manipulated), dependent (responding), and at least 5 controls (explain how you will control them)  (3 pts)
5. Methodology:  explains what you will do and how you will do it, being specific.  Include the tools you will use to measure things, how many trials you are doing (1 plant is a trial, so 10 in a pot is 10 trials!), and what conditions you are using and why (for example if you are changing salinity, what salinities are you using:  do research so you know what is reasonable!). (5 pts)
6. Finally, although you don’t have to do it, you should outline the data-processing you will do and what information you hope to get from it.  (2 pts)

This inquiry is due through turnitin.com by Thursday, May 24.  16 pts in the Lab Section of your grade.

Almost the End of the Year!

• Tues 5/8:  Notes on Transpiration in Plants.  Virtual Transpiration Lab.  Can be done in pairs.  Answer the questions in your notebook and get them checked off on Thursday 5/10.  Remember that your Court Testimony for the DNA Fingerprinting Lab is due today through turnitin.com.  Check off Leaf Anatomy Worksheet.
• Thurs 5/10:  Check off Virtual Transpiration Lab and go over.  Look at stomata through a microscope.   Examine one way to make a potometer.  Xerophytes and Halophytes.  Start going over the process of translocation in phloem.  Read 9.2.
• Mon 5/14:  Finish notes on Translocation.  Start notes on growth in plants.  Seed germination:  start some seeds in your group!  When done do DBQs on p. 418 and p. 424.  Read 9.3.
• Wed 5/16:  Check your seeds and plant them!  Plant tropisms and micropropagation of plants.  Structure of an animal-pollinated flower.  Finish DBQs from the other day and get them checked off.  Read 9.4.
• Fri 5/18:  Flowering, pollination, fertilization, and seed dispersal.  Difference between monocots and dicots.  

DNA Fingerprinting Lab Assignment (disregard what it says on the hand-out about the write up!)

This is what I would like you to do for the DNA Fingerprinting Lab:

Write an argument as if you are the forensic expert for the prosecution or defense of a criminal trial in which there is Crime Scene DNA and DNA from 3 suspects.  Your argument will include the following:

1. Background of DNA Fingerprinting, including some of the history and the principles by which it works (write this in your own words!)
2. A discussion of the results, using numbers and comparison between bands and samples.  This should be thorough and not just a vague statement or two.  If your data is not good enough to use, you can use another group's gel (say whose it is).
3. A discussion of the sources of uncertainty in this lab and how they may or may not have impacted the results.

You can be creative and invent a crime and story behind the various suspects.  Your argument will be turned in through turnitin.com and should be in by Tuesday 5/8, although I encourage you to write it earlier to help you review for the test!  It can certainly be turned in early!

End of April/Early May

• Friday 4/20:  Finish notes on genetic modification and go over clones.  Micropipetting practice.  Hand out DNA Fingerprinting Lab and read it!
• Tues 4/24:  First part of DNA Fingerprinting Lab.  Add enzyme to the 4 DNA samples and let them incubate for an hour.  While they incubate, finish the Restriction Enzyme Worksheet and get it checked off, do the DBQ on monarch butterflies on p. 195, work on your Enzyme Lab, and then start going over the Enzyme and Biotech Review Sheet on my website.
• Thurs 4/26:  Enzyme Lab due through turnitin.com by 11:59 pm tonight (but don't stay up until then to submit it!).  Typically I don't take much off for labs that are a little late.  Day 2 of the DNA Fingerprinting Lab.  Add dye to your samples and then load them into the gels!  When finished, complete the DBQ on p. 195 and get checked off, go over the Enzyme and Biotech review, etc.  When everyone has their gels loaded, we will review the topics of Biotech and some of the ethical issues.
• Mon 4/30:  Look at your gels under the UV light and take a photo.  Analyze the resulting lines and try to determine which suspect was at the crime scene!  We will discuss the write up for this lab.  Do DBQ on page 353 (you can skip b and d)
• Wed 5/2:  Finish checking off DBQ on p. 353.  Work on DNA Fingerprinting Lab.  Review enzymes and biotech.  Kahoot review.  Start Plants!
• Fri 5/4:  Take Enzyme and Biotechnology Test.  Structure of leaf tissue and transpiration.  Read 9.1.

Boston Children's Hospital Virtual Stem Cell Laboratory

This assignment is to be done in pairs.  Follow the simulation and write your answers on a separate sheet of paper that you can turn in.  Remember to put both of your names on it!

1. Go to the Boston Children's Hospital Virtual Stem Cell Laboratory (linked on my website)
2. Read the Introduction and about Embryonic Stem Cells
3. Start the simulation by choosing a coaxing agent (one of the 5 colors).  If that coaxing agent works in the ES cells, you will see movement along a pathway.  If not, try a different coaxing agent until you get some movement.
4. Write down the coaxing agent that you chose and what new cell type you went to.  Read about that cell type.
5. Continue with the coaxing agents until you reach the end of a pathway.  Write down the ending stem cell and what it can be used to treat.
6. Start over with a whole new pathway (or just back up one step to get to another), writing down the coaxing agents and products as you did above.
7. Repeat this process for 5 different complete pathways.
8. Summarize what you learned about embryonic development and how these early cells can be used to treat different disorders.
9. If time:  Discuss the ethical pros and cons of using embryonic stem cells for treating patients and write down 2 pros and 2 cons.

First 2.5 Weeks of April

• Tues 4/3:  Check off Enzyme Worksheet and go over.  Finish enzyme notes.  Introduce Enzyme Lab and try first protocol.  Read 2.5 and 8.1 if not already.
• Thurs 4/5:  Do last 2 protocols for Enzyme Lab and decide what protocol and which independent variable (pH, temperature, or substrate concentration) your group wants to manipulate.  Start working on pre-write (each individual!).  Blind taste test of regular and lactose-free milk.  Complete focused question, background, variables, procedure and data table before you take come in to take data next Monday!  See lab guidelines document to help.
• Mon 4/9:  Get pre-write for Enzyme Lab checked off.  Carefully and efficiently take data.  Everyone should record data and observations.  When finished, clean up and start processing your data.  
• Wed 4/11:  Discuss lab write-up and take some time to work on data-processing and/or conclusion/evaluation.  Introduce Biotech topics and take some notes on stem cells.  Boston Children's Hospital Stem Cell Activity.   Read 3.5.
• Fri 4/13:  No School.  Teacher work day for the end of 3rd Quarter.
• Mon 4/16: Go over Evaluation for Enzyme Lab.  Finish Stem Cell Simulation and more work on Enzyme Lab.   PCR and introduce gel electrophoresis technique.   First draft of Enzyme Lab due Wed for peer review.
• Wed 4/18:  Peer review of Enzyme Lab.  Final draft due Thurs 4/26 through turnitin.com.  Micropipetting practice.

About the test on Wednesday March 21

The Replication, Transcription, Translation Test on Wed, March 21 will have the following:
1)  12-16 Multiple Choice Questions
2)  Some questions using the genetic code:  writing code, translating code, and the consequences of a change (mutation) to the sequence
3)  Describe the process of replication using important vocabulary (leading strand, lagging strand, the 5 enzymes, Okazaki fragments, etc.
4)  Describe the process of translation using important vocabulary and including the 3 main steps.
5)  Describe the structure of nucleosomes and their role in control of gene expression.  Include the difference between methylation and acetylation and also include the implications of epigenetics.

March 2018

• Mon 3/5:  Take Genetics Test.  Pick up Replication Worksheet and start working on it.  To be done by Fri 3/9.  Read 2.7
• Wed 3/7:  Process of Replication and some scientific history.  Replication Simulation done in table groups.  Work on Replication worksheet.  Read 2.7 and 7.1.
• Fri 3/9:  Replication Worksheet check off and go over.  Process of transcription and control of gene expression.  Short video on Epigenetics.  Read 7.2.
• Tues 3/13:  Review Transcription and Go over the Process of Translation.  Read 7.3.
• Thurs 3/15:  Genetic code and protein structure.  Review the whole process of translation.
• Mon 3/19:  Review for Replication, Transcription, and Translation test to be taken on Wednesday 3/21.
• Wed 3/21:  Replication, Transcription, and Translation Test.  Start Enzymes.
• Fri 3/23:  Enzyme structure and function.   Read 8.1.

Genetics Test on Monday, March 5th!

This is what will be on the Genetics Test.  Make sure that you study these concepts and come in for help during FLEX this week if you need it.

• Part I:  20 or so multiple choice questions on all kinds of topics.  We will play some Kahoot to help identify the types of questions
• Part II:  a) Chi-Squared Problem.  You will be given the equation and critical value chart, but you will need to know how to calculate expected values, do the math for the equation, and interpret the results.  
• b)  Dihybrid cross that will involve identifying the gametes, filling in the Punnett Grid, and listing the ratios of the results 
•  c)  Describe the genetic cause, symptoms, treatment, and interesting facts for a genetic disorder.  Out of hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and Huntington's.  We will draw 3 of these from a "hat" and you will write about one.  The University of Utah site (Learn Genetics) linked on my website has good info on all of them except hemophilia, and hemophilia is written up in the book (pp 180-181). 
• d)  A short question on a pedigree problem 

Genetic Disorder Poster Project (due Wed, 2/21)

For your genetic disease, find and present the following information on a poster!!

1. I recommend using Learn Genetics Website (except for Hemophilia and Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy)
2. Type of inheritance (chromosomal, single gene, dominant, recessive, sex-linked, etc).  Include all that apply.
3. Describe what it does to the body in terms of biochemistry
4. List symptoms, treatments, patient prognosis
5. Interesting Facts
6. Other?

2nd Half of February

• Monday 2/12:  Science OAKS test for Juniors, followed by return to classroom to work on genetics problems and pedigree problems.  Read 10.2.
• Wed 2/14:   Hand in Genetics Problems.  Genetic testing and genetic disorders. Causes of mutations.   In groups, research a genetic disorder and make an informational poster about it.  Hand out Pedigree Worksheet.
• Fri 2/16:  Check off Pedigree Worksheet.  Finish posters and display them.   Exceptions to Mendel's rules.  Polygenic inheritance.  Linked genes.  DBQ on pp. 452-453.
• Wed 2/21:  Snow Day
• Frid 2/23:  Finish linked genes and gene mapping.  Chi-squared test and flower cross.  DBQ on p. 454.
• Tues 2/27:  After ACT Testing.  Check off DBQ's.  Finish chi-squared activity.  Present Genetic Disease posters.
• Thurs 3/1:  Finish going over Genetic Diseases and DBQ's.  Play Kahoot to review for Genetics Test now on Monday 3/5.

First 2 Weeks of the New Semester

• Wed 1/31:  Final Exams, look at them, and then recollect.  Go over what we will cover 2nd semester.  Start 3.1 and 3.2 book work.  Please finish through the 3.1 questions on your own time if you are not there yet.
• Fri 2/2:  Review 3.1 concepts and questions.  Any questions on 3.2 so far?  Video on Mendel.  Work on 3.2 questions, answering them in your notebook.  Get them checked off if you complete them today.  Otherwise get them checked off on Tuesday.  Read 3.4.
• Tues 2/6:  Check off 3.1 and 3.2 questions and go over.  Types of genetic problems:  Punnett grids, problems with codominance, X-linked problems.  Start genetic problems from the old text book.  
• Thurs 2/8:  More on genetics problems.  Dihybrid crosses.  Work on genetic problems.  Due next Wed 2/14.

3.1 and 3.2 Bookwork for 1/31 and 2/2.

In the past, we have not formally gone over these sections, but I found that some students were at a disadvantage from not going over these concepts.  Please answer the following questions in your notebook.  They will be checked off on Tuesday 2/6.

1. This is in 3.1. What is a gene?
2. Where are genes located?  Draw a diagram to help explain.
3. Look at the chart on p. 142 that compares numbers of genes in different species.  Which species has the most genes?  The least?  How many genes do humans have?
4. Discuss the above information.  Is it surprising?  Why don't humans have more genes than other organisms?
5. What are alleles?  Describe the differences between different alleles.  Where do these differences come from?
6. Do the DBQ on p. 145.
7. Read the section on sickle cell anemia and outline the genetic change that causes sickle cell and what it does to the blood cells and health of people suffering from sickle cell.
8. What is a genome?
9. Describe the carrying out and results of the Human Genome Project.
10. Now we're in 3.2.  Describe the bacterial chromosome.
11. What is a plasmid and where can it be found?  Are they replicated like the main bacterial chromosome?  Explain.
12. Describe the autoradiography technique used to measure DNA molecules.
13. Describe eukaryote chromosomes.
14. What are homologous chromosomes and where do they come from?
15. Do the DBQ on p. 153.
16. Look at the chart on p. 154 comparing genome size.  How is this comparison different from one that you looked at on p. 142?  Is it showing the same thing?  Are the results similar?
17. What is the difference between a haploid nucleus and a diploid nucleus?  Use humans as an example.
18. Explain why different species have different numbers of chromosomes.
19. Do the DBQ on p. 156.
20. What is the difference between an autosome and a sex chromosome?  How many autosomes do humans have?  How many sex chromosomes?
21. Discuss how the sex chromosomes determine sex in humans.
22. What is a karyogram?
23. How can karyograms be used to determine sex and diagnose chromosomal disorders in humans?
24. Do the DBQ on p. 159.

Welcome to Semester 2!

What will we by studying this semester?

1. Genetics!  Including general terminology, the Human Genome Project, genetics problems, Punnett Grids, pedigree problems, genetic disorders and genetic testing, gene mapping, etc.  Textbook sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 10.1 and 10.2.
2. Replication, Transcription, and Translation.  Describe the processes of DNA replication, DNA transcription, and translation (protein synthesis).  Included will be some history of these discoveries, chromosome structure, the genetic code, and protein structure.  Textbook sections 2.7, 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3.
3. Enzymes!  The structure and function of enzymes, including an inquiry lab on the enzyme, catalase.  Textbook sections 2.5 and 8.1.
4. Biotechnology.  Topics will include stem cells, cloning, genetic modification, PCR, and gel electrophoresis.  We will do a gel electrophoresis lab.  Textbook section 3.5, a bit of 1.1 and some excerpts from chapter 7.
5. Plants!  Includes structure, transport, growth, and reproduction.  Textbook sections 9.1-9.4.

Final Exam Expectations

Just a reminder of some basic final exam expectations.  I take Final Exams very seriously and don't want to have any misunderstandings during these 3 days.

• You need to stay in the classroom the whole time!  Go to the restroom BEFORE the test!!
• No phones out AT ALL!  Laptops are ok if you are using it for academic purposes.  
• Bring a book or something quiet to do if you are a fast test taker.
• 
  
• No talking.  We need a quiet respectful test environment.
• No questionable behavior, like looking at  your neighbor’s test.
• Remember that any form of cheating will result in a 0 for the final.  It is not worth it!

Hey, What's on that Mitosis/Meiosis Quiz On Thursday 1/18?

1. Be able to list and describe what happens during the 3 parts of interphase, the phases of mitosis, and cytokinesis (this is like what we did during the yarn table demonstration)
2. Be able to describe the basic process of binary fission.
3. Be able to distinguish between cell division in plant and animal cells.
4. Be able to identify a phase of mitosis in an onion root tip slide.
5. Bel able to describe the function of cyclins and why we are interested in studying them.
6. Be able to calculate mitotic index, given the number of cells in each phase  
7. Be able to identify phases of meiosis, both in a diagram (like the ones on the worksheet) or in a description of what is happening.
8. Be able to describe how crossing over and independent assortment add to an infinite variety of gametes and be able to draw each using colored pencils.

There will be 5-8 multiple choice, a long answer (see number 1 above), 1 onion root tip slide ID, 1 meiosis picture ID, and 1-2 short answers.

Welcome to 2018!!

We have roughly 3 weeks before the end of the semester, so make sure that you are getting your assignments done, check Synergy, and do test corrections if needed.  If you want to do a Book Group, you need to make sure that you plan ahead with your group!  There are 2 remaining SPARK lectures, on on Wed 1/3 and the other on Wed 1/17.

• Wed 1/3:  Cell Respiration and Photosynthesis tests back to look at and then recollect.  This test can be corrected up to 49 points (75%).  To do test corrections, come back in during FLEX and I will give you your test back to correct using your notes, book, or asking questions.  You can earn half credit back for what you missed, so need to correct 10 pts worth if you need 5 points, etc.  Brief overview of Cell Division and start Cell Division Worksheet.  Read 1.6 on Mitosis for homework.
• Fri 1/5:  Notes on the Cell Cycle.  Go over group simulations, practice them, and then do them for me.  Complete the back side of the Cell Division worksheet, except microscope part, which we will do next week.  Do smoking and cancer data based question on pp 58-59 of your text, answering the questions in your notebook.  Read 3.3 on meiosis for homework.
• Tues 1/9:  Do Microscope Identification of phases of mitosis (back side of worksheet).  Turn in worksheet.  Check off DBQ and go over.  Go over the process of meiosis, including crossing over.
• Thurs 1/11:  Finish going over meiosis and do meiosis creature worksheet and group assignment.  Start group posters of creatures.
• Tues 1/16:  Finish meiosis creature posters.  Review mitosis and meiosis for quiz on Thursday 1/18.
• Thurs 1/18:  Quiz on mitosis/meiosis.  Review for final exam.
• Mon 1/22:  Review for Final Exam.
• Wed 1/24:  Finals:  1,2,4
• Thurs 1/25:  Finals 5,6,8
• Fri 1/26:  Finals 3,7
• Mon 1/29:  No School!  Teacher Grading Day.