Monday 6th - Introduction to Respiratory System

Today we introduced the respiratory system and will look at how do the circulatory and respiratory system work together to produce energy in your body.

Here is an image of the respiratory system and its structures.

Here is an image of the gas exchange that occurs between the alveoli and the capillaries.

This is a really good interactive site for looking at the breathing process.

Access code: cep-4041

Friday, April 5, 2013

Yeast Fermentation Lab!

Scientists,

Well done today with the lab despite the fact that we did not see the results as quickly as we might have thought.  Some of your labs actually came out quite well!  Unfortunately you were all out the door and starting your weekend fun before you could see it!!

Good science means that we are always "tinkering and experimenting" for ways to get results with our labs.  Why do you thi nk we saw faster results when we added heat and more yeast to the beakers?  We can explore this more on Monday!

For those of you who would like to get a head start on the Post Lab Analysis here is an image of what your beakers looked like before the fermentation took place and what they looked like after:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Click on the images to enlarge them, but from left to right it is the water, the Powerade, the fruit punch, and the Hi-C.

Enjoy the weekend and be sure to email Mr. Greg with any questions you might have about the lab or the comics!

  

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

We had some excellent discussions today about the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration.  It is always great to see that a lot of critical thinking is taking place!

During class, we talked about fermentation including alcoholic fermentation in yeast and lactic acid fermentation in the muscles of humans.

Also, we kicked off class with a gallery walk for students to share their illustrations and poems depicting photosynthesis and respiration.  Here is a lovely example of student work:

Helpful Fermentation Link:
http://leavingbio.net/respiration-(ordinary%20level).htm

Helpful Comparison link between anaerobic and aerobic respiration
Click Here

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Greetings Everyone,

Today, we took an interactive trip into an animal cell (via iCell) and took a closer look at the mitochondria of the cell.  We learned back when we first started working with cells that the mitochondria are known as the "powerhouses" of the cell.  Today, we were able to connect that analogy with the fact that mitochondria are essential to respiration.

We also took the time to compare and contrast respiration and photosynthesis.  The students used their Venn Diagram's from Monday night and helped me make a Double Bubble as seen below....

Tomorrow, I look forward to seeing the creative drawings and writing pieces that students put together to demonstrate the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration!

Photosynthesis Notes

Hi All,

Here are some notes from class from Megan and a very helpful illustration made by Callie Decker!  Hope you find this helpful.

Notes from Class

Equation Illustration


Also here is a helpful link with a interactive illustration of photosynthesis:  http://lifesciences.envmed.rochester.edu/movies/photosynthesis.swf

Wednesday, March 28, 2013

The Chemical Equation for Photosynthesis

Today in class, our scientists constructed and solved the equation for photosynthesis.  At the start of class we thought that the equation for photosynthesis was this....

BEFORE

After posting our formula, we discussed what molecules and which ones are present in photosynthesis (water, carbon dioxide, glucose, and oxygen).  We then broke down the equation from the ground up and, thanks to our new knowledge of coefficients and subscripts were able to construct the equation!!

AFTER:

JOB WELL DONE SCIENTISTS!

Tuesday March 26, 2013

Photosynthesis: Exploring the Cell

During today's lesson we investigated further into the process of photosynthesis.  We even took a look into the plant cell and explored the organelles such as chloroplasts, which play a pivotal role in photosynthesis, by using the iCell app on the iPad.

Tonight, our scientists will be getting creative and finding a way to illustrate their understanding of photosynthesis.  Some options include drawing a picture (with color!), writing a story, or perhaps a poem.

At the end of class, Mr. Greg read "Oh Say Can you Seed?" from The Cat in the Hat's Reading Library.  Here are some clips from the book for inspiration!

Our students work to compare to Dr. Seuss.

Friday Feb 8th - Mitosis Image

Here is a great image of mitosis.  This is much like our text book but do not worry about the "Prometaphase."

Mitosis is the process of cell division for eukaryotic cells found in multicellular organisms.  All cells come from existing cells and mitosis is how most cells divide. The only eukaryotic cells which do not divide by mitosis are sex cells a.k.a. gametes a.k.a sperm and egg cells.