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!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Another EC Opportunity!

Hello Biology students!

We have another extra credit opportunity for you to fulfill--how we spoil you all!

For this assignment, you will need to find an article dealing with one of the following topics: pharmaceutical pollution, thermal pollution, or light pollution. What do those terms mean, exactly? Well, that's what you're going to find out!

Print the article of your choice, and have it turned in Monday morning.

Enjoy!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Extra Credit Opportunity!

Hello Biology Students!

Here we are beginning another week and an extra credit opportunity! Oh how we spoil you all so much! =)

The assignment is to find an article on the truth of Lemmings' and their apparent suicidal behavior. Bring it to class on Monday and have it turned in at the beginning of class.

Thank you, and you're welcome!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Cycle Slides

Hello Biology students!

Here are the slides we covered in class last week--take a look at them as you prepare for the Ch. 3-4 exam, which is coming soon!

Good luck!






Sunday, September 28, 2008

Welcome to Chapter 3

Hello Biology students!

Congratulations on completing the Chapter 2 Learning Experience! Now, we move on to Chapter 3, which covers basic Ecology. Exciting stuff!

We will be moving more quickly through the material, now that we will be testing over multiple chapters at a time. So, be ready to pick up the pace, and keep up with the reading as best as you can!

Good luck!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Study Material [REMOVED]

Hello Biology students!

***MATERIAL REMOVED***

Take a look at the images below (you may need to rotate our head and click them for a larger view =P). They are pictures of the worksheets and lab work that we completed for the current material, and will prove very useful in your studies for tomorrow's exam.

And please remember how to identify the types of molecules we covered in Chapter 2. Here's a quick list of what to look for when doing so:

Carbohydrate: Hydrogen to Oxygen ratio of 2:1
Lipid: Hydrogen to Oxygen ratio greater than 2:1
Amino Acid: A group with a Nitrogen bonded to two Hydrogens (NH2)
Nucleic Acid: A Nitrogenous base and a Phosphate group
Organic Acid: A COOH group

And don't forget about identifying the monomers of polymers too.

Good luck! And if you have any questions, email them asap!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Calendar Posted

Hello Biology students!

In the right column, you will see a calendar that lists the items we will be engaged in during class on any specific day this week. It mimics what you see on the board in the classroom daily and should be consulted regularly.

This way, there should be no surprises when you arrive to class and you will know exactly what to prepare for. Good luck!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Extra Credit Opportunity

Hello Biology students!

Here is another extra credit opportunity for those of you in Biology I.

Find an article that answers the question, "How can jojoba help save the sperm whales?" Read the article, print, and bring it to class. It is due on the last day your class meets this week!

These are some easy points, so EVERYONE should take part.

Good luck!

Biology Period 2 Grades

Hello Biology students!

The display issue regarding period 2's grades is resolved, and items should start appearing on Net Classroom at any moment. Check your grade to make sure that it is accurate!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Update

Hello Biology students!

A quick update on the issue with Net Classroom: we are still working to combine the grades that were separated into two different categories for Period 2. Until that issue is fixed, your test scores will not be posted. I am confident the problem will be resolved before we start again on Monday.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Walking on Water

Hello Biology students!

Here is the incredible video we saw in class today showing a lizard walk (run) on water. Think about the adaptations that allow it to do so, along with the important properties of water (Hydrogen Bonding, etc.) that also help it along it's way. Enjoy!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

When Chemicals React

Hello Biology students!

Below is an episode of Mythbusters, where Hindenburg models are put through tests of flammability based on their gas content and outer layer materials (pay close attention to these!). Watch how they differ in terms of the explosive reactions they produce.

Feel free to skip past unrelated segments, or to watch the entire episode if you wish.

Monday, September 8, 2008

The Anatomy of an Atom

Hello Biology students!

Below is a great web page that summarizes well the anatomy of an atom. Give it a look while you study section 2.1 in our textbook.

THE ANATOMY OF AN ATOM

Chapter 2 is Upon Us

Hello Biology students!

Congratulations on completing your first Biology exam of the year! We hope to have the tests graded and returned to you as soon as possible. If you are one of those who attended the football tournament this past weekend, please don't forget to take your make-up exam, so that we can congratulate you too!

We begin Chapter 2 on Tuesday, and will cover basic Chemistry topics including the atom and the basic types of chemical bonds. As you read through the chapter, keep in mind the style and format of the Chapter 1 exam, and consider it wisely as you take in the new material to set yourself up well for the next LE.

Again, congratulations, and if you have any questions, please let us know!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Chapter I Review

Hello Biology students!

Linked below is a very condensed review of the Chapter I material. It contains items I am hoping you have already looked at, and serves only as a minor refresher as you wind your studying down before tomorrow's exam. Also, keep in mind that it only contains a small amount of textbook material; lab material can be found in previous posts and in the assignments you received back on Friday.

Good luck with the rest of your studying!

CHAPTER I REVIEW