Structure of DNA

Today in class we learned about the structure of DNA.

Homework: Color and cut out the base pairs, phosphate groups (the plus-sign shapes) and deoxyribose sugars (the pentagon shapes). Bring these to class on Friday so we can build a DNA molecule.

Use the following colors:
Adenine - pink
Thymine - yellow
Cytosine - blue
Guanine - green

The Power of Genes

Yesterday students started to learn about the Power of Genes, through a discovery education video. Today we finished the video (or rather, as much of the video as we are going to watch).
Click the picture to link to the DNA game on the Nobel Prize website. Before you begin playing, you will read about DNA. Take notes on what you read. Play the game. Write down how many mutations you have. Also, write down the name of the organism that the DNA from "unknown organism 1" belongs to.

You can do samples 2 and 3 for extra credit.

Making Wet Mount Slides

On Friday, students made wet mount slides using yeast cultures. Below is what yeast cells look like on medium power (100x) on our microscopes.


At the end of the mini lab, we review why yeast is a living thing. Yeast is alive because:
1. it is made up of cells
2. it grows and divides
3. it responds to its environment
4. it uses energy
5. it reproduces (asexually, by budding)
and lastly
6. it evolves.

In our experiment, we were able to see #1-5 on the list, but watching evolution is more challenging. As Jose correctly said in class, evolution takes a long time!

Our next unit, starting on Monday, will be on DNA, the code of life. It is changes to DNA that are the basis for all evolution!

Since you had a lab report due on Friday, you do not have homework due Monday. Have a great weekend!

Working on the yeast lab report

Today students worked on their lab reports. The lab report is due in class on Friday. It must be a printed copy. Late work will NOT be accepted.

Tomorrow in class we'll have a REAL, LIVE SCIENTIST, come to class! Please arrive on time :)

It's alive lab report

Today students worked on their lab reports for the "It's Alive!? Investigation." For homework you will need to make graph in excel.

Click through the powerpoint below to see what you need to do.

Making an xy scatter plot

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Yeast Lab Report Part 1:

Tomorrow a rough draft of your introduction is due in class. You need to have a scientific title that includes: the organism studied, the parameter measured, the factor you changed.

You should also write an introduction that includes the following information:

The hypothesis

3-5 sentences about yeast that answer the following questions:

What is yeast?

Is it alive?

What does yeast need to live?

Is yeast a plant, animal or fungi?

It's Alive Investigation Day 2

Yesterday we reviewed controls and variables and then collected data on how long it took the balloons to inflate at various temperatures. Below is the data we collected.



For Friday, you need to write out the procedure you will use to redo this experiment. You will all be working with 65 deg C water. Be detailed! You will use 2.5g of yeast, 1.5g sugar, 25mL of water.

Is it alive Investigation (Day 1)

Today students looked at two unknown samples (Y and Z) using a dissecting microscope. Next they did an experiment with sample Y to see if adding water and sugar would create any reaction. The results were mixed and students came up with some of the own hypotheses for how to change the results.

For homework:

With your partner (or individually and you can decided when you get to class which experimental set up to use) answer the following questions:

How many grams of sample Y will you use? (0.1g to 3g)
How many grams of food X will you use? (0.1g to 3g)
How many mL of water will you use (10mL-30mL)
What temperature will the water be? (10 degrees C to 100 degrees C).

Tomorrow you will do a second balloon test using these parameters. We will also do the balloon test on sample Z as a class.

It's Alive?!?!

Dr. Frankenstein exclaimed, "It's aaaaalllliiiiiivvvve!" He sure was excited about his creation, but what does it mean to be alive?


Today we learned about the six characteristics of living things:
1. All living things are made up of cells
2. Living things obtain and use energy
3. Living things grow and develop
4. Living things reproduce
5. Living things respond to their environment
6. Living things evolve.

In order to be a living thing, the organism must meet all six criteria. These salt crystals grow, but they aren't alive.

Make a table, like the one below and fill it in using the list of things below. If you don't know what one of the items is, LOOK IT UP! Not knowing an item is not an excuse for neglecting to complete the assignment.

Cell Type Presentations

Yesterday in class students did a great job teaching their peers about each of the five major types of cells. Below you can see one of the presentations that three students gave.

Muscle cell_Student Presentation

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When we return from the long weekend, we will be comparing single celled organisms and multicellular organism.

We'll try to answer the question: What does it mean to be alive?

Type of Cell Presentations

Today we reviewed the presentation guidelines (see below) and students worked in their groups on their presentations.

Presentation Guidelines:
1. 3-5 minutes in length

2. Everyone must speak

3. You should include general background information on the type of cell

4. The purpose of this type of cell in our body

5. 3-5 images

6. You must cite you sources! This means you need to have a bibliography for all of your text and images.

7. Your presentation must be emailed to me before 12:00 tomorrow! Why? This way I can have all of the presentations loaded and ready to go before class starts.

Major Types of Cells

Today we talked about five major types of cells: nerve, muscle, skin, fat and reproductive. Tonight for homework, you should begin working on your presentation.

Remember: your presentation should be 3-5 minutes.
You should include:
General background information on the type of cell.
The purpose of this type of cell in our body
3-5 images

Since there is only a short amount of time to prepare this presentation, you do not need to make a handout. Your peers will take notes during your presentation.