Blog Topic for this week

Every year in general biology us biology teachers spend a significant amount of time with our students discussing the topics of diffusion and osmosis (in addition to other means of transport across the cell membrane) and students do well on the quiz. Yet, every time us chemistry, forensic science, and anatomy teachers talk about this topic with former biology students, they draw a blank.

For this week I would like you to explain to a sophomore the basics of diffusion (simple and facilitated), osmosis, and active transport using your blog. Additionally, include your advice on what a sophomore can do to help remember these topics for future study. Finally, include a picture that shows these topics effectively and include it in your entry.

I will be discussing these topics with my sophomore classes next week and am going to have them use your blog entries to help them better learn these topics, so be watching for comments from other students. I'll also be sharing this with Mrs. McKinley's classes so this will be your first entry that will have a larger audience. Good luck.

Biology in the News

As I was searching for an opener for tomorrow's class I came across an article on Biology News Net called "Tiny, implantable medical device can propel its way through bloodstream". I thought this was a pretty neat topic so I've posted the site below. Also, let this serve as warning that Biology in the News will be a blog topic soon.

Tiny, implantable medical device can propel itself through bloodstream

Lesson Plan for Wed. Feb. 22, 2012

Hello everyone. First of all, please make sure you turn in your lab reports today. I will be there to pick them up today and hope to have them graded and back to you by no later than Monday. Also, please note that I have posted the blog entry for this week and its the posting following this one.

Here's today's plan:

1. Watch the video below on cell compartmentalization and the importance of maintaining an efficient surface area to volume ratio in the cell membrane (If the video doesn't load, click this link):



2. Watch a less interesting video with me narrating it (if video doesn't load, click this link):



3. Complete the Venn diagram assigned in the above video (there should be copies of the required organelles/structures in the classroom) and work on your cell study guides.

Have a good day.

Blog Entry 4

This week's entry is as follows:
If you had to do the job of any cell organelle (including the cell membrane and cell wall), which one would you choose and why. Additionally, provide a brief description of what that particular cell organelle does and provide a picture that shows that organelle at work (or minimally shows that organelle within the cell).

Blog Entry for Week 3

Your prompt for this week is to write a one paragraph or more reflection on this week's lab over enzyme activity. You must include a picture or video that tightly relates to enzyme activity.  With it being a reflection, the writing is open ended and you can take it in whatever direction you wish. Good luck and I look forward to reading your entries.

Reminders to do before Monday

Just a reminder to complete your blog entry by no later than Sunday. I'll post the next prompt either in class Monday or in class on Tuesday. Additionally, you are supposed to watch the Lab 2: Enzymes video in the AP lab videos link to the left of this post. Have a good weekend and be prepared to begin our first lab on Monday.

Lesson plan for Wednesday, Feb. 8

Hey everyone. Unfortunately Amber is still sick and I am once again home with her. I will be back on Thursday unless this crud passed on to me, but my chapped and dried skin from continuously washing my hands will hopefully prevent me from getting it.

Today I've put together two videos of me going through the carbon chemistry and macromolecules, centering in on carbohydrates. You should watch the videos and take notes on the material.

Upon completion of this you will have time to edit your blogs, post comments on other people's blogs, and work on either the carbohydrates study guide, wrap up other past work, or move ahead. Please read ch. 5 prior to tomorrow's class. Have a good day.

Ch. 4 video, click here if the video doesn't work right



Ch. 5 video, click here if it doesn't work right

Lesson Plans for Tuesday, Feb. 7

Sorry for being gone again today but my daughter is still sick. Here's the plan for today:

1. Updates:

• I will be uploading some new versions of the ch. 4 & 5 PowerPoints where I have taken the most important information and changed its font color to blue, and the black font text is secondary information.

2. Watch the video that is below. It is a summary from ch. 4 & intro to ch. 5 (if the video doesn't work, click here):


3. Next you can continue working on your things from yesterday and can start working on the carbohydrates study guide.

I should be back tomorrow and we will review all of the stuff from ch. 4 and the first part of ch. 5 on carbohydrates. We will then move into proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids and begin preparing for our first lab on enzymes. Have a good day.

Writing Prompt for This Week

Here's the prompt for your blog entry this week:

• What topic are you most looking forward to in this class? Why?
• What topic are you least looking forward to in this class? Why?
• Anything else you wish.

Additionally, don't forget to leave comments for other people in the class. Thus far, I have seen very few comments. Here's to a good week :)