Category Archives: Honors Biology

04.11.17
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Interpendence

So now we know that ecology isn’t just the study of the environment… its studying the interactions between living things and the abiotic and biotic factors of their habitat. Today, we’re going to focus in a little bit more on the relationship between different biotic factors in an ecosystem. These relationships all fall under the category of something called interdependence. Hopefully that rings some bells for you because that was one of the themes of biology & characteristics of life we talked about at the beginning of the year! Interdependence is the idea that every living things relies on other living things one way or another. So lets take some time to dive into these different relationships and understand the concepts behind the interconnectedness. Please watch the video below, take notes, ask questions, and be prepared to discuss the different types of relationships and how living things are connected.

03.23.17
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What did a T-Rex Taste Like?

trexWhat did a T-Rex Taste Like?

Believe it or not, we actually have was of finding this answer despite the fact the Tyrannosaurus Rex has been extinct for over 65 million years. We can determine a T-Rex features, including taste, using similar features (which we now know are called homologous structures). shared with animals the T-Rex is closely related to.

Recall that yesterday we learned that the more features you have in common, the higher the probability that you share a common ancestor/DNA (the exception would be convergent evolution where two species become increasingly similar despite the fact the originated from different ancestors). So what we can do is plot relatedness, based on characteristics, on a graphic called a cladogram, like the one shown here.

 
So Today, that’s exactly what we’ll be doing, using the link at the top of this post, you’ll follow the steps to learn how cladograms are created, organized, and what the different branches of it mean. By the time you are through, you will know what it tastes like to bite into a big fat dino-burger!

03.16.17
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Causes & Types of Evolution

I’ll be out for a professional meeting today. So in my place, you get to watch ME on Youtube! You lucky ducks. Today’s topic is causes of evolutionary changes in species and types of evolution caused by natural selection.

This info is SO IMPORTANT because it helps us to start to make connections between ideas and provide support for Darwin’s theory. Remember our group test is going to focus on concepts and this section is full of them. So take good notes, write good questions, and have productive conversations with your tables mates (tates).

Have a safe and Happy St. Patricks Day!

03.13.17
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Evolution Simulation

Sorry I can’t be there today. But I’ve got two great activities for you while I’m gone.

First, do the Darwin “Scenarios” activity with the people at your table.

Then, in our previous class we played a game using Darwin’s theory of Natural selection to see if we could help a fictional species last for a million years. There were environmental factors that influenced change, and ways of adding variation to a population.

Now we can take what we have learned and actually apply it to a real evolution simulation. We obviously cannot make evolution happen in a lab, but we can simulate it using Darwin’s theory. Click the link below (iPad users must be in the Puffin browser, not Safari) to be taken to the simulation. Read the directions, follow the procedure I have provided, collect your data, and graph your results.

Link: Evolution Simulation

Simulation

Watch how small changes in populations can have big impacts. You can also change settings to see how these animals would fair when their food source behaves differently.

03.09.17
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Who Wants to Live a Million Years?

Since evolution cannot occur before our eyes in a class period, today we’ll be ‘simulating’ evolution with a game called “Who Wants to Live a Million Years?”. There are directions and questions you must answer when you play. Those can be found using this link. Click the image or one of the links below to be taken to the game. (*iPad users: You must download and use the Puffin web browser to run these simulations)

Who Wants to Live a Million Years

Link 1 – Olo Games  

Million

Choose variations in a population to try to survive for a million years. Watch out for environmental changes and mutations!

02.15.17
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Common Assessment #3

Common Assessment #3 – Link –

Tomorrow we’ll be taking the 35 Question Common Assessment for the third quarter. It will cover Unit 7 (Reproduction) & Unit 8 (Genetics). The study guide is available on the Semester 2 Documents page, or you can get it from the link below. The key is also available for viewing this afternoon.

Common Assessment #3 Study Guide

Here are the list of key terms we’ve covered during the Second Semester. Click to enlarge:IMG_2449

Below is all of the videos from Unit 7 linked together as a playlist. If you would rather watch one section at a time individually, the links are still available on the Semester 2 documents page or on my YouTube Page

Here are the videos from Unit 8: Genetics

02.08.17
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February 8, 2017 Plans

Sorry I cannot be there with you today. Cooper is not feeling well and will have to say home. In the meantime, here is what I need you to do to help me out…

Alpha:

Pick up the handouts from the front. The are the directions and the packet for your genetics project. Read the directions and it will give you an idea of what the objective, expectations, and grading will be. You will be making up traits for an animals and using the rules of genetics we have learned to do it. There’s an example on the back of the directions to show you how to do it. You’ll have all of this class and next clas to work on this.

D:

Work on your genetics project. I would expect you should be able to get it just about finished today. Make sure your pictures are neat and colored.

E:

Collect data and start writing and formatting your IA

A:

Finish your genetics project. I would expect you to get finished today. Make sure your pictures are neat and colored. If you are finished. Get a copy of the Unit 8 practice problems & vocab list from the back of the room (they should be near your DNA origami’s; if you can’t find it then just download the PDF here and do it on notability.

Thanks for helping me out today, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Text or email if you have questions!

 

01.20.17
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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 –