Happy Birthday Darwin

Today and tomorrow we will be using computers to research the impact Charles Darwin had on the science of genetics and our understanding of how living things have evolved over time. Darwin developed the theory of Natural Selection based on observations he made during his trip aboard the Beagle.

Using THIS ARTICLE answer the following questions:

• Explain at least 3 of Darwin’s observations of nature that led to his ideas (Darwin's Big Ideas)
  
• Why is evolution via natural selection the basis of all of biology? (Darwin's Big Ideas)
  
• How do Darwin’s ideas influence our understanding of the sciences?(Darwin's Big Ideas)
  
• How does evolution continue to affect us today? (Darwin's Implications)

Using THIS WEBSITE develop a timeline for the voyage of the Beagle - include the 9 main dates, give details of the location and give specific details about what scientific activity Darwin did while at this location. - do not just use the info on the main page - click on the "go here" links

Onion Root Tip Mitosis Lab

We are going to be looking at onion root tip slides with our microscopes to see cells that are going through the process of mitosis. Since cells go through this process all the time, we will be able to see different phases going on in the same root.

Why do you think we are using root tips to explore mitosis?

Here is a weblink to do the lab online http://www.biology.arizona.edu/Cell_BIO/activities/cell_cycle/cell_cycle.html

Here is a vocabulary page to help you with terms http://www.biology.arizona.edu/vocabulary/mitosis_meiosis/mitosis_meiosis.html

What Do We Know About Genetics and Diversity?

Here are our ideas about Mitosis
Mitosis is necessary/valuable because:
- it makes copies of cells
- growth would not be possible without mitosis
- allows more of the same cell to be made
- splits the nuclear information in half then copies it
- lead to the devlopment of cancer

This is what we know about inherited traits
- you get them from your parents
- this process can not be controlled - can't pick and choose traits
- dominant and recessive traits
- evolution happens because successful traits can be passed along to future generations
- how is alcoholism hereditary
- can a trait skip a generation

This is what we know about evolution
- mistakes in your DNA can lead to evolutionary change
- it got us where we are today
- Are people still evolving?
- How is the idea of Intelligent Design related to this concept?

Charles Darwin - theory of evolution - natural selection, survival fittest
Miller - Urey - the experiment that showed that it might have been possible for amino acids to form on Earth
Watson and Crick - came up with the shape of DNA module
Gregor Mendal - created the concept of inherited traits.





Here is a list of the questions we came up with about Genetics. This is also a list of what we already know about Genetics.

DNA is shared
How do the genes fit together to make traits?
How do we get traits from parents?
Does DNA have anything to do with human race?
Stem cells can become any kind of cells
Genes can be passed through sexual reproduction
Genetics is the study of heredity.
Genetics are passed from generation to generation.
Genetic family traits can be seen across generation.
Can genetic makeup be changed without mutation
What part of genetics is the biggest part of our daily lives.

Charles Darwin -
he invented something
natural selection
geologist
theory of evolution
Scopes trial
Galapagos Islands
Studies Finches
Ship name beagle

Gregor Mendal

Watson and Crick

Lesson For Feb 6

Go to THIS SITE to find our lesson today - on Cancer and Mitosis

Mitosis Research Journals February 5

Choose one of the articles listed below to use as a research journal article for this week. In addition to the information you normally include in the research journal -
1. explain how the article has added to your knowledge of how mitosis works.
2. explain your thinking on the role of proteins INSIDE of the cell.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080403104400.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081223121135.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080703175225.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070915100302.htm

Google Translator http://sites.google.com/site/fhsbio/

This is a wordle I made using the definition for mitosis:
title="Wordle: Mitosis"> src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/510435/Mitosis"
alt="Wordle: Mitosis"
style="padding:4px;border:1px solid #ddd">

Stem Cell Webquest

We have spent time looking at the parts of a cell and different kinds of cells. We are going to be learning about how cells know what kind of cells to be and how DNA actually works. One of the hot science issues that the new Obama government will be looking at is stem cell research. Today's webquest will help you to learn about stem cells (with nice little cartoon interactives) and current research being done on stem cells.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dc39nfhs_402cptktbzg

Glogster Cell Poster

We are going to be making a virtual poster about a cell organelle. We are using a new poster program called GLOGSTER. You need to get a login and password from Mrs. S before you start.

Here are the directions for Glogster and for the assignment
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dc39nfhs_351hdhhr8pw

This is an example of the glogster poster I have created on the cell theory.
http://scihighgirl.glogster.com/Cell-theory/