What's On the Meiosis and Genes Short Test on Thursday, February 13?

• Be able to describe all the phases of meiosis, in particular, make sure you understand the difference between Meiosis I and Meiosis II
• Be able to identify phases of meiosis in simple diagrams or pictures
• Be able to draw and label the stages of crossing over making clear the before, during, and after.  I recommend 4 stages as they showed in the book in 10.1.  Be able to distinguish between homologous chromosomes, sister chromatids, and nonsister chromatids.
• Be able to describe the significance of independent assortment and how it adds to the variety of gametes.
• Basic vocabulary involving genes and chromosomes.  In addition you should be able to distinguish between genes, chromosomes, and genomes
• Be able to describe how nondisjunction occurs and be able to describe two disorders caused by nondisjunction
• Be able to discuss the 2 methods of obtaining fetal cells for karyograms, including how they are done, benefits, and risks.

The First Few Weeks of the 2nd Semester!

• Tues 1/28:  Hand back Semester Final Exams, check them over, and recollect.  Introduction to what we will cover this semester.  Notes on meiosis, how it is different from mitosis, and the 8 phases.  Do first side of meiosis worksheet, identifying the phases.  Read 3.3.
• Thurs 1/30:  Notes on the Higher Level meiosis.  Synapsis and crossing over.  Do the "creature" activity on the back side of the meiosis worksheet.  Using 2 cards, determine the genotypes and phenotypes of your creature family and then draw a family portrait with your table group.  Read 10.1 (higher level meiosis).
• Mon 2/3:  Notes on genes, mutations, gene mapping, the Human Genome Project, etc.  Finish the Family Portrait if necessary.  Read 3.1.
• Wed 2/5:  Notes on chromosomes, plasmids, genome sizes, and chromosome numbers.  Do DBQ's on pp. 153, 156, and 159 in your notebook.  Read 3.2.
• Fri 2/7:  Karyograms and nondisjunction.  Check off DBQ's and go over them.  Wrap up the unit.
• Tues 2/11:  Review Meiosis and Genes and play Kahoot for Short Test to be taken on Thursday.  If time, start Genetics.
• Thurs 2/13:  Short Meiosis and Genes Test.  Introduce Mendel and the principles of inheritance.  Start reading 3.4.

What Are We Doing Second Semester??

Here are the topics and syllabus sections for 2nd semester:

1. Meiosis and Genetics:  3.3, 10.1, 3.1, 3.2
2. Genetics:  3.4, 10.2
3. Replication, Transcription, and Translation:  2.7, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3
4. Enzymes:  2.5, 8.1
5. Biotechnology:  3.5 and a few other sections
6. Plants:  9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4

What's On That Cell Cycle Quiz on Tuesday 1/14?

• Be able to outline the events of the cell cycle, starting with interphase (include all 3 parts of interphase) and ending with cytokinesis.  Be thorough!
• Be able to distinguish between cell division in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, including why these differences are necessary
• Be able to distinguish between cell division in plant cells and animal cells, including why these differences are necessary
• Be able to describe several things that you see in an indicated cell in an onion root tip slide and determine which phase of mitosis it is (we are including interphase, even though it officially isn't a phase of mitosis).

Welcome Back to IB Biology in 2020!!

It's 2020 and we're almost done with the First Semester of IB Biology!  Are you excited!!?  We are going to cover a short unit on Cell Division, Finish Photosynthesis by doing a Chromatography Lab, and review for the Semester Exam.  Remember that you can still put together a Book Group, but you have to do it quickly because your meeting and book review must be done by Friday 1/17/20!

• Mon 1/6/2020:  Overview of mitosis and the cell cycle.  At your tables, practice simulating cell division using string and yarn.  
• Wed 1/8/2020:  Onion Root Tip Mitosis.  Finish cell division simulations.  Cell division and cancer.  Quiz on cell division next Tuesday 1/14.  
• Fri 1/10/20:  Chromatography Lab.  Turn in today if complete or next Tuesday.
• Tues 1/14/20:  Cell Division Quiz.  Turn in Chromatography Lab if not already.  Start reviewing for semester exam.
• Thur 1/16/20:  Review for semester exam.  Play Kahoot!
• Fri 1/17/20:  Deadline for Extra Credit and Late Work is today!  Book reviews and SPARK lecture reviews need to be submitted through turnitin.com
• Mon 1/20/20:  Martin Luther King Day:  No School
• Tues 1/21/20:  Full Eight Schedule:  Last minute review and check in on your grade prior to the semester exam.
• Wed 1/22:  Final Exams:  1, 2, 4
• Thur 1/23:  Final Exams:  5, 6, 8
• Fri 1/24:  Final Exams:  3, 7, Makeup Exams (done through excused prearrangement only)

Cell Respiration and Photosynthesis Test This Thursday 12/19

Make sure that you look over the review sheet on this website and the Kahoot to help prepare for this test.  The test will be made up of the following:

1. 20 multiple choice questions (1 pt each for 20 pts total)
2. Draw and clearly label 7 parts on either a mitochondrion or a chloroplast.  You don't get to choose.  Your test will tell you which to do.  (6 pts)
3. Explain how structure supports function for at least 3 structures in the drawing from 2. above (4 pts)
4. Pick 2 out of 3 short answer questions (4 pts each for a total of 8 pts)
5. Pick 1 out of 2 longer answer questions on processes in cell resp. and photosynthesis (8 pts)
6. A graph related to our topic with 4-5 short data-based questions associated with it (6 pts total)

Total points:  52

Now Until Winter Break

Hello Students!  The cell respiration and photosynthesis unit is typically one of the most challenging units and we will be covering it between now and Winter Break.  I highly recommend that you get ahead of the material by reading through the sections: 2.8, 8.2, 2.9, and 8.3.  I also recommend watching videos such as the Crash Course ones I have posted and others like Khan Academy.  The repetition and hearing explanations from different perspectives can really help!  The more you let the material into your brain, the more likely your brain will be to accept it and not fight it.  Start now and revisit the material regularly!  Your brain and your stress level will thank you.  But also remember to get some exercise, listen to good music, eat healthy food, and get some sleep!

• Tuesday 12/3:  Review glycolysis and the link reaction and give more details on the Krebs Cycle.  Crash Course video on Cellular Respiration.  The electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.  Respirometers.  Read 8.2 really well!
• Thurs 12/5:  Seed Germination Respiration Lab.  Take data and answer the questions for Parts I and II.   Read 2.9.
• Mon 12/9:  Do Part III of Respiration Lab.  Complete and turn in today or Wednesday.  Overview of Photosynthesis.  Action and absorption spectra.   
• Wed 12/11:  Photosystems II and I.  Overview of the Calvin Cycle.  Read 8.3 if not already.
• Fri 12/13: .  Review all parts of photosynthesis.  Drawing and labeling mitochondria and chloroplasts. Coloring sheet for chloroplasts and mitochondria.  Cell Respiration and Photosynthesis test next Thursday 12/19.
• Tues 12/17:  Review for Cell Respiration Test and Photosynthesis.  Play Kahoot.
• Thurs 12/19:  Cell Respiration and Photosynthesis Test.  Pick up Hand-Out on Cell Division when done and get it started.