Tag Archives: biology

08.18.15
by

Lab Safety… it’s no Accident

Yesterday we went over some important information about your safety in a Lab setting. After review the Lab Safety rules (check the documents page for your specific class for a PDF version), take a look at the image below. See if you can spot some incidences of failing to follow lab procedures for safety.

Reminder there will be a “Common Sense” Lab Safety Quiz and you must pass with 100% before being allowed to use the lab.

Also! You must have a signed Lab Safety Contract turned into Mr. Kubuske by Friday to be allowed to use the lab.

08.14.15
by

First Day of School 2015!!!

I know… I feel the same way.

Welcome to Mr. Kubuske’s Class Blog. First, please set a bookmark or a link to your home screen. After that feel free to browse this page. At the top are links to class pages where notes, assignments, and documents will be posted for you to download as we work through our curriculum. There’s a page for students, a page about Mr. K, and other resources available. On the right (or bottom if you are using Safari on the iPad) are links to my twitter and other information that will help you.

Next, there are 3 papers on the front table I’d like you to pick up. You will need to keep these papers all semester so put them in a safe place. Eventually, these papers will need to go in your Class 3-ring binder.

Once you have the papers you can complete the assignment titled “Biology Procedures Activity” that you picked up from the front table.

As a reminder, you will need to download your iBook at home or in a place where you can be on a wifi network for a long period of time.

Thanks for participating and we look forward to working with you this year!

05.01.15
by

Photosynthesis!

I know, I know I promised you a team building day. I promise (again) we will have it, just on monday so I can be there for it. Today, we’re going to learn all about photosynthesis!

If you remember, I told you a little about earlier this week. Stuff like: it takes place in the chloroplast, there are 2 reactions, the reactants, the products, etc.. We’ll today we’re going to go into a little more detail. I’m going to have you watch the video below and take some notes (make sure you use my notes handout because it has the pictures on it to make it easier to understand). Then on Monday, after the team building exercise, we’re going to make review posters for photosynthesis. I’ll show you what I mean then.

One last thing, next Friday we’re going to take the last of our common assessments. I’ll give you more info next week, but I wanted to make you aware and offer up the study guide (which is also available on the Bio: Semester 2 page). Have a great day and remember, after these notes… there’s only one more day of notes left the entire year!

04.16.15
by

Climate Challenge

Yesterday we talked about Human impacts on the environment. We covered several topics including:

  • Acid Rain
  • Ozone layer depletion
  • Mass Extinction
  • Depletion of Natural Resources/Destruction of habitat
  • Climate Change
  • Invasive Species

Today we’ll be reviewing some case studies to determine the cause and solutions to some of these problems. After that, we’re going to play a game courtesy of the BBC. The game is called “Climate Challenge” and basically you get to run a country that is facing the threat of global climate change head on. You’ll have to balance protecting the earth, your citizens, and your job! Use the link below to reach the game (*note, if you are using a iOS device you will need to view this using the puffin app). Good luck, have fun, and learn something!

Climate Challenge – The Game

03.20.15
by

Speciation & Cladistics

Today is the last day of our Evolution Discussion. During our last discussion, we talked about types of evolution/selection and how it leads to new species… Today, we’re discussing how a new species is formed by a process called speciation and how we can illustrate relatedness of species using an instrument called a cladogram.

Watch the video below for more information and examples. Enjoy!

 

03.19.15
by

What Did a T-Rex Taste Like???

trexIt may seem like a silly question, but there is a way we can make a pretty significant guess as to what a T-Rex may have tasted like. We can do it using derived characteristics, or homologous structures as you and I call them, and something called a cladogram.

Cladograms are an illustrated way to show relatedness of species both current or extinct. Today we’ll be introduced to cladistics using an online module. The good news is by the end, you will be able to predict with great certainty what a T-Rex most likely tasted like.

Use the link below to reach the online module from the University of California, Berkley. (Please note, if you are using an iOS device you will need to open the link below using the Puffin App)

What Did A T-Rex Taste Like

03.09.15
by

Evolution Simulations

Since evolution cannot occur before our eyes in a class period, today we’ll be ‘simulating’ evolution with a game and a simulator. For each, their are directions and questions you must answer. Click the image below to be taken to the weblink. (*iPad users: You must download and use the Puffin web browser to run these simulations)

Who Wants to Live a Million Years

Million

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

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.

02.26.15
by

Common Assessment #3

Hopefully we had some good study time over the last few days to prepare for 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 & Think Spring!

Link  – Common Assessment #3