Theories of Evolution

That’s what we’ve been talking about the last few days. We’ve talked about theories and evidence that supports or refutes those theories. There have been lots of theories of evolution but we’ve focused on two…

  1. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

    • Acquired Characteristics
    • Whatever traits or habits that you picked up over your life, you passed on to your children.
    • Believed that if you really “needed” something or some habit to survive you could acquire it.

  1. Charles Darwin

    • Descent with Modification – Present living beings are modified decendents of older organisms and species.
    • Modification by Natural Selection – Environment limits the growth of populations. Some Organisms have traits that make them better able to survive in their environment

Evidence suggests that Drawin’s theory, which he illustrated in his book “On the Origin of Species”, is accurate. Can you think of any instances of organisms that look like other species but have some type of special advantages to help them survive in their environment?

To review, click through the Darwin information pages and see if you can help a species of furry creatures live for a million years!

Common Assessment #3

As a reminder, here is the information included in the 35 (for honors, 30 for academic) question assessment:

  • Unit 7 – Reproduction
    • Types of Reproduction
    • The Cell Cycle, Stem Cells, & Cancer
    • Mitosis
    • Meiosis
    • Karyotyping & Genetic Disorders
  • Unit 8 – Genetics
    • Mendel (& his laws)
    • Advanced Genetics 
      • Codominance, Incomplete Dominance, Multiple Alleles, Sex-Linked
    • Pedigrees
    • Dihybrd Crosses

The Link below will take you to the answer sheet. Answer all questions on the answer sheet, do not write on the test. When you finish, there is an option to go back and review your work. Do not ever press the back button on the browser, you will have to start all over. Good Luck & Happy Valentines Day/Ash Wednesday!

Link  – Common Assessment #3

Happy Valentines Day! Let’s Bee Friends… get it! haha

Sex-Linked & Multiple Allele Traits

Sorry I can’t be there today. But you are in good hands with Dr. Brooks. If you have questions on setting up the Punnett squares, she can definitely help. Be sure to pick up the handouts (which are also available on the Semester 2 page under Unit 8). Good Luck!

Biology:

  1. (Finish! and…) Check your work then turn in the Oompah Loompa Worksheet
  2. Watch this youTube video and take notes using the handouts in the front of the room
  3. Work on the practice problems for Multiple Alleles & Sex Linked traits. This is not homework. However, the expectation is that you work on this with the time provided. It is due on the 12th (the day of the test) but you will have other projects you will be working on between now and then. If you choose to wait to do this assignment it will only put you behind.

The Unit 7 Hunger Games

Today in #hbio we’ll be reviewing for tomorrow’s test over Unit 7. To review, you’ve been selected to be Tributes in the Unit 7 Hunger Games!!! Ok, so its not life or death survival of the fittest, instead we’ll be doing a speed stations activity. There are 32 stations posted throughout the room. You and a partner will try to complete these stations as ACCURATELY & QUICKLY as possible. You are Competing against the other players in your class. The fastest, and the most accurate, will receive a bonus point.

At the end of the day, I will post the stations on this site for you to review with. Be sure to study your Unit 7 Study Guide as well. Good Luck, and may the odds be forever in your favor…

Unit 7 Review: Answer Sheet – Link –

Happy (ic)e learning day!

Live view from 56th street

Well it’s finally official, we are on an e-learning day because of ice. Thank goodness too because 56th street was a mess (yes, that’s right I made it into school today).
Today would have been a day 4 and so periods D & E would have had class today.

Luckily, everything we would have done in class you can do at home. You’ll just have to do it by yourself instead of with your “tates”. Below is a description of what you need to do today to be prepared for your next class and your test coming up Monday the 29th!

  1. Get out the Karyotyping Practice Handout we started at the end of last class (you did the front side already).
  2. Complete the top table with the information you already have.
  3. Then, use the 10 Example Karyotypes and fill in the second table with the correct disorder for each example karyotype. You’ll turn this assignment in at the beginning of your next class.
  4. When that is complete you can start working on your Unit 7 Study Guide. The answer key is provided to check your work.

Be safe, get some work done, and I’ll see you tomorrow!

Happy E-Learning Day!

Biology D & E:

While you are at home safe and sound from the winter storm, here is what I would like you to do:

  1. Get out the 3 stapled packets you got in class on Wednesday.
  2. Start with the cell cycle stations packet (has a large circle on the front). Start with Station 1 using the assignment “Go Find the Info” I asked you to have done for class today.
  3. Each time you finish a station, then write down some brief notes about each station on the third notes packet (the one that has a chart that says partner/instructor in the boxes) in the boxes labeled “Partner”. These notes are for you and should be based on information from the station.

I don’t expect you to finish all of the stations (in fact if you don’t have notecards at home you wont be able to do #3), but you should try to get three or 4 of them done. We’ll finish the last of them in class on Tuesday together, and that is when we’ll fill in the “instructor” part of the third packet. You’ll turn in the stations on Wednesday (D) or Thursday (E) so you have time to finish that last station. Good luck, stay safe, and enjoy the 4 day weekend!

Welcome Back

Welcome to Semester 2! I’m not gonna lie… I love semester 2 because we get to cover some really cool topics. Think of it this way, Semester 1 was all a big set up for the interesting stuff we’re covering now through the end of the year. That being said I know we have some new faces in class and I wish I could be there to welcome you in person. Alas, it will have to wait until tomorrow. Either way, new to the class or coming back for another go round, welcome and I sincerely hope you have a great Biology experience.

If you are new make sure you add this page to your homescreen so its easy to access. Also you should check out the class rules, expectations, and procedures at the bottom of the semester 2 documents page (which you can access through the buttons at the top). Now, on to the good stuff… today’s activities:

  1. (Make sure you pick up the papers in the front) Please watch my YouTube video on chromosomes and take notes

  2. After taking notes, read the small article you picked up. As you read, highlight material you find important and/or interesting.
  3. Then, compare your highlights to a partner of your choice. With that same partner you can them complete the questions related to the reading.

You will need to have this done and completed before our next class because we are quickly going to move on from Chromosomes to talking about types of reproduction and how these chromosomes are related to those processes. Have a great first day and I’ll see you tomorrow!

 

Biology (& Chemistry) Semester I Final

Well its all come down to this. I believe that I have done my best to prepare you this semester and for this final. I believe that you have done everything you needed to do this semester as well. Most of all, I believe in you. You’ll be fine, you’ll do great. Take a deep breath, trust your gut, and best of luck. Thanks for a great semester. Have a safe and restful break.

Biology – Semester 1 Final Answer Sheet

Chemistry – Semester 1 Final Answer Sheet