We also played "Guess the Embryo" on PBS NOVA's website. You can play that game here.
Today we discussed the vast amount of evidence that supports the Theory of Evolution, such as fossils, homologous/analogous structures, embryology, vestigial structures, and DNA. The powerpoint with information (and fun pictures) can be found in the folder. We also played "Guess the Embryo" on PBS NOVA's website. You can play that game here.
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Today we discussed the four principles of Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection and talked about the three ways that the environment can impose challenges on the driving force of natural selection (or the 3 types of natural selection). HW: pg. 326-334 Today we watched part of the BBC documentary "Galapagos", and saw the abundance of wildlife that helped lead Darwin to his ideas on evolution. HW: 297-301 (Types of Natural Selection) Today we started reading The Hot Zone, by Richard Preston. This book is based on a true story regarding the Ebola panic that occurred in the 1990's in the U.S.
We also discussed the mandatory project for this nine week's grading period which is associated with this book. Information and rubrics for the project can be found under the tab "The Hot Zone Project Info." The project has various due dates; please see the tab for more information. HW: none. Prepare for the English STAAR tomorrow! Welcome back from Spring Break!
Today we began class with an introduction into dichotomous keys, which is a resource used to help identify organisms. Students then completed a dichotomous key using characters from Mario Bros. The activity can be found here. Homework tonight is to complete the Gel Electrophoresis activity found here. YOU MUST USE SOMETHING OTHER THAN AN IPAD TO DO THIS ACTIVITY since it is Flash based. Today we started class by finishing up the activity from yesterday. Afterwards, we discussed how scientists classify the insanely diverse organisms on this planet. Information regarding this topic can be found in the powerpoints folder.
Next, students were to choose an animal from a pre-constructed list found here (or have approval from teacher for another animal), and create a foldable showing the animal's classification. The foldable must include the following: - A cover of sorts with a picture of the animal and its scientific name correctly written (10 points) - The correct Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species for the organism (40 points) - At least 3 characteristics of each of the taxa (species can include 3 interesting facts about that organism) (25 points) - A picture on each taxon that relates to the level of classification or the characteristics (25 points) - Must be in color for full points A very rudimentary example is shown below. This assignment is due Friday, March 10th at the end of class. Today we discussed the creation of sex cells (gametes), which is called meiosis. After notes, we used the "Snurfle Meiosis" app to manipulate the process in fictitious creatures. HW: pages 433-439 (Taxonomy)
Karyotypes were the topic of discussion today; the importance of them, why they are used, and what they can tell us came up in class. We then did a lab where students in pairs received a karyotype for a patient, analyzed it, and created a prognosis for the patient in question. The file necessary for this activity is entitled "Karyotype Lab" and is in the Labs/Activities folder under Unit 4.
For those students who are absent, use the "Karyotype-ABSENT" document in the Labs/Activities folder under Unit 4 to make up work that was missed in class. The links for absent students are in the pdf and below: Part One Part Two Homework tonight is pages 180-186 (if not done last week). The mandatory project for this nine weeks, The Pedigree Project, was assigned. Students were given the story of a fictitious family and were tasked to create a pedigree for them. They were then given a trait to trace through this family and then determined the inheritance pattern for the trait. All information for the project can be found under "First Nine Weeks" -> "Unit 3" and at the bottom of that page. Students were given a full work day to complete the rough draft; if not done today, it is my expectation that it is done over the weekend.
HW: 270-271 (by Monday) Warm-up: Answer the question on the board and then read one of the two articles below. Write 2-3 sentences about what you think after reading them. "The Black Woman Born to White Parents" "Male or Female? Babies Born on the Sliding Sex Scale" We discussed Non-Mendelian (traits that do not fall under Mendel's pattern of dominant vs. recessive) genetics today; discussing incomplete dominance, co-dominance, multiple alleles, polygenic traits, and sex-linked traits.
HW: pg 181-186 (do by Monday; over meiosis) Also, do Punnett square practice parts 4-7 (by Friday) |
AuthorAll posts written by Samuel the cat in a catnip-induced haze. Forgive any spelling/grammatical errors. Do your homework or feel his wrath... Archives
January 2018
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