Thursday, November 20, 2008

Online Textbook

Hello Biology students!

Congratulations on completing your LE on Photosynthesis and Respiration! We hope you learned a lot and that the material wasn't too terribly difficult or painful.

We are currently moving right into Chapter 10, Mitosis, and will go into our Thanksgiving break with a general knowledge of each phase of Mitosis in both the plant and animal cell. Once we return, it will be full steam ahead once again!

What will be a great tool for you as you study over the break is the online textbook, which is now available to all students who have an account. To receive your username and password, please contact Mr. Khoury via his email address and he will send you the login information asap!

If you have any questions at all, please let us know!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Respiration, Glycolysis, The Krebs Cycle

Hello Biology students!

Below are the links to some very important videos, which cover the main topics of Chapter 9: Respiration, Glycolysis, and the Kreb's Cycle. Watch them. Absorb them. Know them well!

If you have any questions, let us know!

RESPIRATION

GLYCOLYSIS

KREBS CYCLE I

KREBS CYCLE II

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Photosynthesis Videos

Hello Biology students!

Below we have two Photosynthesis videos for your viewing pleasure. You all are going to be angry at me for introducing you to the highly toxic song in this first video, but it is only appropriate that I do so in this "fundamental process." Have a good time with it.



This second video is one that we saw in-class, and will be a great resource to you when studying the Calvin Cycle, specifically. Click the link below to give it a look.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS: The Calvin Cycle

Good luck with your studies, and let us know of any questions you may have.

Add This IMPORTANT InformationTo Your Book!

Hello Biology students!

On page 212 of your book you will find Figure 8-11, which outlines the Calvin Cycle of Photosynthesis. As good as this figure is, it leaves out vital information that you will be responsible for on your future quizzes and exam. That information is as follows:
The six 5-carbon molecules under section A of the figure is called RuBP, which we have talked about many times in class.

The six RuBP molecules combine with the carbons from six carbon dioxides with the help from an enzyme called Rubisco. This is not shown on the figure, so you should definitely make note of it.

The first set of 12 3-carbon molecules are called PGA.

After the 12 ATP and NADPH molecules release their energy into the cycle, the 12 PGA molecules are converted into 12 PGAL molecules, as shown in section B of the figure.
If you have any questions, please let us know!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Lots of Labs and Application

Hello Biology students!

I hope you had a restful weekend, because we are full speed ahead this week! As you can see on the schedule to the right, we will close out Chapter 8 and begin work on Chapter 9 by Friday, November 14. The LE/exam will follow shortly after, and please remember that these two information-filled chapters are combined, so don't fall behind!

This week, we will be working on a very helpful worksheet that you will receive on Monday the 10th and that will be due on Thursday the 13th. Also, we will see a good number of interesting lab experiments that have direct application to what we are studying. Topics will include the chromatography of spinach and plum leaves, and another on starch production.

Remember, it is VERY important that you understand what is happening at each stage of our studies, in lecture AND in lab. I cannot stress enough the fact that you should ask questions if you are unsure about any detail we cover--it is our job to make sure you understand this material, but we simply cannot help if we do not know you need it!

Good luck all, and have a great week!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Daily Chapter 8 Quizzes Incoming

Hello Biology students!

Congratulations on completing your first quarter of Biology! It is great to see so many of you working hard and doing well.

This week, as Chapter 7 comes to a close and we begin Chapter 8 and 9, it is important to keep pace with the many ideas and concepts that we will be covering. Photosynthesis and Respiration require your careful attention, so watch the schedule closely to help ensure that you do not fall behind.

*Also, keep in mind that we will be having DAILY QUIZZES on the material from Chapter 8, to help motivate your study habits. Quizzes go into the LE/Test category, so you do not want to take them lightly!

Good luck, and as always, if you have any questions, please let us know!