Planarian Lab, Karel and more ...

Today was the first full block day (blocks are 85 minutes long) of the year.  Both my AP Biology classes met and one computer programming class.  We had flex time at the end of the day (30 minutes).

In AP Biology, we finished some introductory odds and ends.  We also started our Regeneration Lab using planaria (small freshwater flatworm).  We prepped the lab with some information about planaria and why they make a good model organism.  We conducted a behavior lab (taxis vs. kinesis) and then cut the planaria into two pieces.  The tail section will replace its head and brain in about 10 days.  We also had a discussion about the genes involved in regeneration, signal transduction and how both relate to humans.

In Computer Programming, we worked on the first three assigned problems.  It took a while to get use to the Karel interface and saving their work.

In Flex time at the end of the day we continued collecting forms handed out yesterday.

Selected Topics in Science and my other Computer Programming class meets tomorrow.