Cell Communication tomorrow ...

Tomorrow in AP Biology we will be working on cell communication with examples of apoptosis and how caffeine works.  We will be reviewing for our first unit test which is scheduled for Tuesday.  Also tomorrow, our respiration lab write up is due.

Signal Transduction
Reception -> Transduction -> Response

In Selected Topics, we started our study of genetics by reviewing the modes of inheritance with examples.  Tomorrow, more genetic problems.

Snowing a little tonight but I think we will have school tomorrow.

Flat Tire and Storm Damage

Lots of trees fell yesterday in the wind storm and several across roads as we started school with an hour delay.  There were 8 tornados confirmed in Tennessee and one just south of us.  Still raining this morning as I had a flat tire on the way to school ... hitched a ride switched cars and lots more for not a good start of the day.

I was in a science meeting at the Central office this morning so only had my AP Bio classes.  We went over our respiration lab data, reviewed respiration and worked on photosynthesis is shorten blocks.  Tomorrow we wrap up photosynthesis and will go over our data for the photosynthesis lab we did Tuesday.

Tomorrow in selected topics we will finish our mitosis/meiosis microscope lab.

Lots of students out of class today for the DECA regional competition.

In our science meeting today ... the next new thing ...  a step closer to program learning and taking the art and individually out of teaching science ... imo

http://www.nextgenscience.org/

Spec 20s and Chromatography ...

Today was the AP Biology Photosynthesis Lab ... two parts.  We got good results with our paper chromatography of plant pigments from a geranium leaf using acetone/ether for our solvent.  Our chloroplast solution was not strong enough and our results in the second part of the lab were not as good.  Tomorrow is a DECA meeting and several students will be gone but, we will go over the results of our last two labs and work on our photosynthesis discussion questions.

In Selected Topics we started our genetics unit with mitosis and meiosis.  We also started our microscope lab looking at several slides and making a wet mount of an algae culture.  Tomorrow we will continue this lab.

I was home in time to take a walk to Long Creek.

Fourth Block working on the lab today ...

Photosynthesis Lab Tomorrow!

We have moved up our AP Bio Photosynthesis Lab up to tomorrow because of a DECA trip on Wednesday.  We will be doing a modified edition of the 2012 lab.  The first part of this lab is paper chromatography using acetone/ether as a solvent to separate the photosynthetic pigments from a geranium leaf.  The second part of the lab uses our Spec-20s to obtain quantitative data on turnip chloroplast photosynthesizing ... we will compare chloroplasts in the dark to those in the light and to boiled chloroplast in the light.  We will add an inquiry extension to the lab tomorrow.

In Selected Topics, we had our first test (mostly biology) today ... tomorrow mitosis and meiosis lab begins, followed by genetics later this week.

On my walk to Long Creek this evening I saw some wood ducks flying up from the bottom at dusk and several American woodcocks calling to each other.  Spring is not too far away!

No School Today - Ice Storm

No school today ... we had freezing rain overnight and into the morning.  I went out to feed the bird early and nearly fell down in our gravel driveway there was so much ice.  There was not much ice on the trees but a lot on the sidewalk.  The birds were glad to see me filling the feeders and I was greeted with a chorus of chirping!

Also, a good article on small businesses making products in the USA on CNN's website this morning ... I ordered some jeans from Round House ...

http://www.round-house.com/

http://money.cnn.com/gallery/smallbusiness/2013/01/25/made-in-america/index.html?hpt=hp_t4

Respiration Lab ... finished ...

Today we squeezed in our Respiration Lab before the sleet and snow tomorrow ... we may not have school tomorrow.  I had to make new respirometers last night.  The ones I was using for this lab was almost 20 years old and the numbers/markings were falling off ... The lab today went well ... we used both peas and green beans both germinated and non-germinated at room temperate and 10 degrees C.  Most groups were prepared and were able to get some good data.  Several understood that it was really a protein lab and why we were getting a higher respiration rate at 20 degrees as compared to 10 degrees. We will finish up the analysis of both this lab and our diffusion/osmosis lab tomorrow ... or, on Monday.  Students continue to work on their discussion questions for the chapters on respiration and photosynthesis.

Selected Topics will have their first test tomorrow.  We reviewed for the test today and we did our paper chromatography lab using black ink from pens ... in a forensic problem format.  We also had a discussion on separation science ... chromatography, centrifugation, distillation and electrophoresis.

I have been getting lots of beekeeping catalogs.  Today was one from Betterbee.  I am reading up on rearing my own queens since I am not coaching and have a lot more time in the Spring.

We have lots of birds still visiting our bird feeders ... dozens of golden finches with many cardinals, bluejays, sparrows, juncos, chickadees and more.  They arrive after sunrise, at noon and then toward evenings ... three meals a day!  We also have several flickers working the lawn for grubs.  They are use to Bossy knowing she is too fat to catch them!

Snow day tomorrow?

Diffusion Osmosis Lab ... picts

Today in Selected Topics in Science we worked on Respiration and Photosynthesis ... with many real life applications.  Tomorrow, we will be doing a computer simulation using Logal Software - Photosynthesis.

In AP Biology today we started our investigation of Diffusion and Osmosis (a revised lab for 2013).  This lab has several parts.  Today, we studied how surface area to volume ratio is related to diffusion using agar cubes.  We also used dialysis tubing containing 10 ml of five solutions (glucose, sucrose, NaCl, protein and water) and calculated the percentage change of mass and analyzed the results.  We used potato cores to analyze six unknown solutions ... we will finish this lab tomorrow with a student generated inquiry.

I took a walk to Long Creek and back after school with the temperature at 25 degrees ... a bit nippy but, not as bad as north of the Ohio Rivers ... 14 in Champaign this hour and 9 in Ann Arbor ... burr!

Pictures of students working below:

Walking Fern and Maidenhair Spleenwort

Friday at school we had a pep rally so missed over half of fourth block.

In Selected Topics, we had our Toothpickase Lab to study how enzymes work ... picts below (three our our enzymes boiled with non-functioning binding sites).   Next week respiration and photosynthesis ... Great Plant Growing Contest continues.

In AP, we worked on enzymes and feedback loops.  We have our new osmosis and diffusion lab scheduled for when we return to school on Tuesday and our aerobic respiration lab on Thursday.

I have been on several walks this weekend.  This afternoon, I checked out some limestone outcrops near the bottom where I walk on our farm.  A picture of part of the limestone outcropping facing southwest,  walking fern, what I believe is maidenhair spleenwort on a boulder and the moon was out on my way back to the house.  The weather is suppose to turn cold the next few days.

Cells, Enzymes and more ...

Today was club schedule (we have one a month) and students were out of class off and on all day going to clubs BETA, FCA, PEP and many more.  Occasionally, we have a normal week of class time ... but, not this week.

In Selected Topics, we finished cell science with some drawings on white boards.  Tomorrow we have the toothpickase lab as we study enzymes and proteins.

In AP Biology, we worked on enzymes and inhibitors ... allosteric enzymes and enzyme feedback inhibition.  We ended the class with graphing data.  Tomorrow we prep up our Diffusion and Osmosis Lab for Tuesday, finish some odds and ends over enzymes and start cellular respiration.  We also have some sample MC questions for tonight that we we will go over tomorrow.

Tomorrow, we have a pep rally during fourth block and a homecoming game against Barren tomorrow evening.  We have no school on Monday, Martin Luther King Day.

Sue Neal and I went over to see the Life of Pi before it goes off this weekend.  We were the only ones in the theater for the 4:30 showing.

Club schedule tomorrow ...

Today, to the surprise of many, we did go to school.  A winter storm watch last night brought nothing but cold rain.

In Selected Topics today, we finished our biochem lab and started our study of cells.  We will continue on cell science tomorrow.

AP Biology finished their enzyme catalysis lab and started on Chapter 8 - Enzymes.  Tomorrow we will will continue on our study of enzymes and include interpretation of graphs/data.

Tomorrow is club schedule so many students will be out of each class.  We will limb through.  Friday we will miss part of last block to a pep rally.

After school, our faculty had a PD on writing from 3-6.

Catalase Lab and School out early today.

School was let out early today because of freezing rain ... or, at least the forecast of freezing rain.  Weather looks bad for this evening and part of the night ... we might miss school tomorrow???

In Selected Topics, we read from an article on bacteria from National Geographic.  We reviewed biochemistry with a game of biochem poker.  Cell science starts tomorrow.

AP Biology squeezed in most of the Enzyme Catalysis lab today, using catalase to breakdown hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.  Students will calculate the rate of reaction over different time intervals.  Tomorrow we will wrap up this lab and Chapter 8 - Enzymes is assigned if we have a snow day tomorrow.

Pictures below is from our lab today in AP Biology ... stress!!!  It was dress neon day at school in preparation for the homecoming basketball game this weekend, as you can see by some students' attire below.

Catalase Lab tomorrow ...

In AP Biology tomorrow, we have the first of 14 labs for the semester.  In this lab, we will calculating the rate of reaction in which catalase breaks down hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water.  This is a two day lab.  Today, we reviewed biochem and cell structure.  We also worked on Chapter 7 discussion questions, cell membrane structure, cell transport and diffusion/osmosis.

In Selected Topics, we finished biochemistry and worked on some vocabulary.  Tomorrow we will play some biochem poker to review monomers to polymers.  We also went on tour to sing our DNA song.

Tonight the Allen County Beekeepers met.  The annual bee school will be at AC-S HS on February 2 starting at 8:00 AM.  I will post the agenda this week or next.  You can check out their website ...

http://www.allenkybees.com/

Lots of rain ... deer out from hiding!

Tomorrow, in Selected Topics we have a reading from National Geographic for class and we will finish our study of biochemistry and nutrition.

In AP Biology, we will be going over discussion questions about cell membranes and transport, Chapter 7 in Campbell.  We will also prep up our first lab of the semester ... Enzyme Catalysis Lab.  In this lab we will be studying how catalase (an enzyme) catalyzes the reaction of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.  We will calculate rate of reaction and look at the reaction rate under different conditions (pH and temperature).

Interruption on Thursday ... club schedule.

It rained most of the weekend ... lots of animals on the move.  The picture below are deer behind our house ... I think they know hunting season is over.

Frogs peeping and Barred Owls

Took a walk after school about dark this evening.  It was about 70 degrees ... weird!  While I was down close to Long Creek lots of frogs were peeping ... trying out the warm weather.  Several barred owls were marking territory while I was walking.

Today at school,  my AP Biology classes worked on cell science, practice multiple choice questions over biochemistry (due Monday) and we went on tour to sing "DNA Baby!"   We have discussion questions on Chapter 7 - Cell Membrane for Monday and our Enzyme Lab on Tuesday.  Club schedule will be Thursday next week.

Selected Topics in Science worked on analyzing food labels and biochemistry today.  We will finish biochem on Monday.  The Great Plant growing contest continues as does our Regeneration Lab (Planarian) during next week.

Sue Neal has a mock exam tomorrow for AP English so, I am on house duty this weekend.  Also, I will be making bee candy for some of our hives.

Biochemistry Poker with picts!

Today in Selected Topics we finished a molecule modeling lab by building molecules of biological importance using marshmallows and toothpicks.  We will be working on biochemistry and cells tomorrow as we head to the weekend.  Today we also read and discussed a news release on ABC News radio about men with brown eyes being more trustworthy ... it had a good genetics/evolutionary angle.

http://www.kotatv.com/story/20552247/brown-eyes-beat-blue-ones-for-trustworthiness-study

In AP Biology today to reviewed biochemistry ... we played biochemistry poker ... building polymers out of monomers.  Students were dealt five cards then discarded cards to get additional cards (five card draw).  This was followed by some spirited wagering ... calling and raising.  There were some big winners and of course some teams lost everything ... an important lesson in gambling.  Tomorrow, we start cell science.  Below are a few pictures from today ... Jared and team thinking, the winners from third block - Katie,  Charity and Cameron (the caption king!) and Erica and Evan with bags of loot!

Biochem continues ...

In AP Biology today after some ecology review, we continued our work on biochemistry.  Today, we reviewed the major concepts of carbohydrates then worked on lipids and proteins ... lots of information and some drawings.  Tomorrow we will studying nucleic acids with some practice questions.  Thursday will be Biochem Poker day.  Tonight I made new cards for the game while listening to the boys and girls basketball games.

In Selected Topics, we prepped up our Plant Growing Contest which starts tomorrow.  The planarian lab continues ... We also worked on biomes and some ecology vocabulary today.

Got home in time for a walk to Long Creek.  It was almost dark and I couldn't see much wildlife.  Lots of birds settling in for the night.

It took over two hours to remake my biochem poker cards ... 15 amino acids, 10 alpha glucose, 10 phosphates, 10 fatty acids and many more ... making polymers out of monomers is the purpose of this game played as five card draw.  Will try and take some picts of the game on Thursday.





 

Blochem underway! Golden finches galore!

In AP Biology after a quick review of Ecology, we worked on properties of water, pH, functional groups and carbohydrates. We will work on drawing and understanding lipids and proteins tomorrow ... biochem poker scheduled for Wednesday or Thursday.  I order our labs for this semester today so will get started on them next week.

Selected Topics worked on Ecology most of the period ... some brainstorming on global environmental issues.  We changed the water for the planaria in our regeneration lab and all seems well!  Picture below ...  Tomorrow, we will prep up our Great Plant Growing Contest and work on plant science.

Several teachers out with the flu today.

We got home early enough for me to take a walk.  A dog had gotten into a snare set for a coyote and I freed her ... she was very appreciative.  Checked on Granny later and she was fine.

Worked on school stuff tonight.

Still lots of birds at our feeders ... chickadees, dark-eyed juncos, tufted titmouse, bluejays, cardinals, hairy woodpeckers, mourning doves, and several more ... but, a host of golden finches eat each day ... picture from last weekend.  They are like a barrage of bullets when they fly in to the feeders.

Full Week ahead and sandhill cranes

In AP Biology Friday, we worked through our discussion questions on Ecology.  We have a few ecology items to finish tomorrow then, on to biochemistry.  Tomorrow will be properties of water, organic molecules and functional groups and carbohydrates.  This week we have biochem poker on the horizon ... a fun way to learn about polymers.

In Selected Topics, we will finish our look at ecology tomorrow.  Most of the class, will be spent generating solutions for the ecological problems our students will face in their lifetimes.  Our regeneration lab continues all next week and we will later in the week switch over to plant science.

Best question last week is about animals that don't urinate, "How do they get rid of their nitrogen waste?"  A question during the discussion about the nitrogen cycle.  As far as mammals go, I knew that kangaroo rats seldom urinate and have kidneys with very long loop of Henle(s) to concentrate the urea in their urine (a paste).  Still looking for an animal that never urinates without luck.

This weekend, Sue Neal and I went to see Les Miserables the movie in Bowling Green.  The music was great but now, I want to read the book ... maybe this summer.  I was able to take a couple of walks on our farm.  I saw another large V of sandhill cranes on Saturday afternoon ... about 60-80 birds ... they were headed north toward Barren Lake.  I pruned several trees / bushes and prepared a few places where I plan to plant trees this spring.  I was great to spend some time outside.

Regeneration Lab begins and Ecology starts!

In Selected Topics in Science today, we started our regeneration lab using planaria.  Students did a light-dark test after observing their new pet.  We feed the planaria and put them to bed.  Tomorrow students will cut them in two pieces and then make observations as they regenerate their heads.  We are also working on some ecology concepts in Selected Topics.

AP got into full swing today.  We went over a ecology free response from 2010 and the scoring rubric. We covered with example of succession, symbiosis, growth curves and biomes.  We finished the day with some multiple choice questions to do over night.

Got home just at dark for a walk to Long Creek and back.  The last two walks I scared up a great blue heron in the small stream behind our house.  It must be eating minnows from the stream.  Lots of deer out browsing tonight.

Tonight, I worked up a one page cheat sheet for AP Biology - Ecology.

I will take some pictures of our planaria lab tomorrow!

First Day Back in 2013 and Back to Work!

First day back to school.

This semester, I have a Selected Topics in Science class and two AP Biology classes.

In Selected Topics, we made some introductions and went over class procedures.  We will start with biology.  We prepped up the Regeneration Lab using planaria.  Tomorrow we start this lab in which student will collect behavioral data before cutting their planaria in half.  It will take about 10 days for the planarian to grow a new head and a new brain.  We will spend a couple of days on ecology.

In the AP classes we handed out the last of the books to students and went over some classroom business.   For tomorrow we have discussion questions to review from our ecology readings.  We also will be going over some sample AP questions.  Full steam ahead!!!

We will be going over the 2012 question number 4!

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_frq_biology.pdf


4. The diagram above shows the succession of communities from annual plants to hardwood trees in a specific areaover a period of time.
(a) Discuss the expected changes in biodiversity as the stages of succession progress as shown in the diagramabove.
(b) Describe and explain THREE changes in abiotic conditions over time that lead to the succession, as shownin the diagram above.
(c) For each of the following disturbances, discuss the immediate and long-term effects on ecosystem
succession.
                 (i) A volcano erupts, covering a 10-square-kilometer portion of a mature forest with lava.
                (ii) A 10- square-kilometer portion of a mature forest is clear-cut.

After school, I went down to a spring and collected planaria for our lab tomorrow.