The Week of 4/14-4/18

Welcome to the 4th Quarter!

• Mon 4/14:  Take photos of your gels and share them with me.  Start researching Bioethics.
• Tues 4/15:  Analyze gels and make graphs.  Gel Electrophoresis Lab due next Tues, 4/22.  More research and preparation for Bioethics Debate.
• Thurs 4/17:  Bioethics Debate.  Questions on Gel Electrophoresis Lab?  Review Sheet for Biotech Test to be taken next Thurs 4/24.

Bioethics "Debate" on Thursday 4/17

On Tuesday, April 15, research the history and science behind your topic (topics listed below), in addition to researching its pros and cons.  On Thursday, April 17 explain the science of your topic to the class (beyond what we took in notes) and present positives and negatives of the technology (5-8 minutes).   After the debate, submit a bibliography of 5 solid resources, a list of who did what in your group, and a 1-2 page summary of your findings.

On the day of the "debate", your group will have 5-8 minutes to present, followed by 5-10 minutes of questions and comments from other class members.

The Topics:

1)  Reproductive Cloning (you can include cloning of organs as well)

2)  Stem Cells

3)  Genetically-modified organisms (GMO's).  Include both plants (crops) and animals.

4)  DNA Sequencing (include the history of the Human Genome Project)

4/7-4/10/14: End of 3rd Quarter

SPARK Lecture:   Dr. Peter Hurlin of Shriners Hospital for Children:  A Wholistic View on Embryonic Development, Evolution, and Cancer.  Monday at 3:30 in 169.

• Mon 4/7:  1st part of DNA Fingerprinting Lab.  Cut DNA samples with restriction enzyme.  While waiting for your samples to incubate, do Restriction Enzyme Activity, and take notes on Bacterial Transformation.
• Wed 4/9:  2nd part of DNA Fingerprinting Lab:  load samples onto gels and run.  While waiting for samples to run, finish Transformation notes and do transformation activity.  Turn in and late/missing work.
• Fri 4/11:  Teacher Work Day for end of the 3rd Quarter.

Instructions for Stem Cell Assignment

In pairs, go to Virtual Stem Cell Laboratory in the links.

›Read the descriptions as you go
1)  Using the coaxing agents, stimulate the growth of different types of stem cells.
2)  List 6 different types of stem cells, their purpose, and uses in treatment.
3)  Draw and label the "tree" connecting" the different types of cells.
4)  Define "embryonic stem cell".  

Turn it in with both of your names on it.  

3/31-4/4

Welcome back from Spring Break!  The final stretch of the year approaches.  We will do a unit on Biotechnology, followed by Plants, and some Ecology.

• Mon 3/31:  Review Stem Cells.  Computer stem cell activity with coaxing agents.
• Tues 4/1:  Introduce cloning.  Click and Clone computer interactive.  Polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
• Thurs 4/3:  Restriction enzymes.  Restriction enzyme activity.  Biotech lab skills practice.  Hand out DNA Fingerprinting Lab.  Read the hand-out for Monday 4/7!

The Week of 3/17-3/21

• Mon 3/17:  Enzyme Lab through data processing is due today.  We will do self and peer review.  Go over parts of a conclusion/evaluation. Mr. Minato is doing a SPARK lecture today on superballs and supernovas.
• Tues 3/18:  4 levels of protein structure.  Fibrous proteins versus globular proteins.  Review for Protein and Enzyme Quiz on Thursday.
• Thurs 3/20:  Quiz on Enzymes and Proteins.  Turn in hard copy of Enzyme Lab either today or tomorrow.  In addition, please turn in a copy through turnitin.com.  Start Biotechnology by introducing Stem Cells.

Pre-Write for Enzyme Lab, due Thursday 3/13

For the Enzyme Lab Pre-Write, you should have the following written individually:

1. Focused Question
2. Background
3. Variables
4. Materials
5. Procedure
6. Data Table

You should have it ready to be checked off at the beginning of class.