Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Squid Anatomy

Hello Biology students!

For your studying pleasure:







AND... a great website with some images of Starfish dissection:

STARFISH ANATOMY

Good luck!

Gchat Review

Hello Biology students!

The Gchat review will be scheduled for 6:00-8:00 p.m. this evening. 5 o'clock proved a little too early to prepare, so we will begin one hour later and end after two hours.

See you then!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Worm Lab Dissection Video

Hello Biology students!

Below is a video from today's identification portion of the Worm Lab, outlining a few of the structures you will be held accountable for on the practical exam. I apologize for the semi-low quality, as we did not have our main camera on hand today.

A big thank you to all of the students involved in today's recordings -- great work!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Let the Dissections Begin!

Hello Biology students!

Today we begin the process of laboratory dissection, which will carry on through the end of the year as we study the kingdom Animalia.

Our first dissection lab will study the common earthworm. Below is a very general image of some of the structures you will be looking for both today and tomorrow. More images will be available to you in-lab and on the blog as well, so keep checking back for updates. Also, there will be a worm dissection video published soon.

Good luck!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Sponge Filtration

Hello Biology students!

Well, here we are -- Kingdom Animalia. Before you know it, you will be elbow-deep in dissections, but first we will start with the common sponge and it's relatives in the phylum Porifera.

Below is a video demonstrating the filtering powers of the sea sponge. Be sure to take a look at Chapter 26, Section 2 in your book after watching this video for a complete look at the anatomy of a sponge, which we will touch upon in class this week.

In the meantime, enjoy the short film, and interesting music too.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

A Bit About Tropism

Hello Biology students!

In lab, we have been keeping a close eye on the little seedlings we "planted" in our petri dishes earlier this week. As you observe their growth, keep in mind the variables involved in the growth direction, and also how we tried to limit other variables too.

The video below offers a glimpse into what is actually going on -- take a look, and consider it in the context of the current lab. Enjoy!

Monday, March 30, 2009

"Green Sheet" Reminder

Hello Biology students!

The Chapter 22-25 LE is fast approaching, so it would be a great idea to study your "green" review sheet if you have not done so already, and ask questions about the material asap. Waiting until Thursday to look the sheet over is not a good idea, so plan accordingly!

We will be moving through the in-class portion of the material fairly rapidly, so please keep that in mind as you plan your week's schedule.

If you have any questions, please let me know!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The Paramecium

Hello Biology students!

Today, you became fairly acquainted with the tiny organism called paramecium. This "cute" (your classmate's words, not mine) organism is a great example of a ciliated protozoan that exhibits simple structure and behavior, but is oddly complex at the same time.

Below is a video of the paramecium taking in nutrients in the form of a stained yeast. If you have the option, press the "HQ" button on the menu to view the clip in higher quality.

Pay specific attention to what happens after the food has been in the paramecium's system for a little while. What do you notice? What would explain this change?

Think about it, and I'll ask you for your answer tomorrow in-class. Good luck!

PS - Please excuse the music. =)

Online Review Announcement

Hello Biology students!

We will be holding another online review session on Thursday evening, March 12, beginning at 5:00 p.m. and ending at 8:00 p.m. sharp.

We will be covering the material from both chapters in a very structured form, similar to the last review led by one of your very own. If anyone wishes to participate, please make certain that you are logged into Gchat by 4:50 p.m. so that you can be invited into the group chat by start time.

If you have any questions, please let us know!

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Of Exam Reviews and Extra Credit

Hello Biology students!

There will be two exam reviews held for the upcoming Ch. 18-19 LE. The first will take place in the Biology room during lunch today, and the second will be ONLINE via Google Chat (Gchat), beginning at about 6 p.m. this evening.

To access Gchat and the review, login to your Gmail account and find your contact list on the left hand side of the screen. Right-click my address, select "chat," and send me a message letting me know that you are online. I will invite you into the group chat review.

Also, regarding the extra credit Evolution vs. Creation lecture we have been planning, it has been scheduled for Thursday, March 12, at lunch time in the Biology room. Mark your calendars, and plan on being there!

If you have any questions, please let us know. Good luck with your studies!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Papers, Papers, Papers

Hello Biology students!

With an LE fast approaching, it is very important that you have all completed work in your possession, graded, and available for you to use in your studies. If you have been absent and have not received papers back during the last week or so, please visit with us immediately so that we can get you your items. Thanks!

Chapter 18-19 LE and Review

Hello Biology students!

The Chapter 18-19 LE has been scheduled for Friday, March 6. There will be an ONLINE review using Gchat, Gmail's chat program, on the evening of Thursday, March 5. Make certain that you have your Gmail account set up by then!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

"On-Call" Time Tonight

Hello Biology students!

I will be "on call" tonight to answer your Biology-related questions, beginning at about 6:00 p.m. I will be taking a break for a meeting at 7 p.m. sharp and returning at about 8 p.m. to resume taking questions until about 11 p.m. or so.

If you do not have a Gmail account to use, I strongly suggest you make one. See you in Gchat!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Extra Credit Opportunities

Hello Biology Students!

There are two extra credit opportunities approaching soon. You may only attend one for credit. Here are the details:

Evolution vs. Creation Lecture

LLA - Thursday @ 12:00 p.m. in the Biology Room

La Sierra - Friday @ 3:00 p.m. (specific location will be addressed soon)

Friday, January 9, 2009

Chapter 12 Test - Schedule

Hello Biology students!

A few announcements regarding the Chapter 12 LE.

The scheduled in-class exam will take place on Tuesday, January 13. If you are involved in sports activities during the Optionals period on Tuesday, you may take the exam AFTER optionals on MONDAY, January 12.

If you have any questions, please let us know.