Understanding Gender

 Tuesday, December 11, 2018
The class will discus gender and gender expression.

What is Sexuality?
Discuss Comprehensive Sexuality Sheet.

Sex Education Unit

Monday, December 10, 2018

The sex education program is mandated by the district.  Information about the program can be found at the district's website.  A link to the site is listed below:


https://www.sandiegounified.org/SHEP-curriculum

Introduction to the sex education program.
We will discuss the rules for classroom and take a brief look at California Penal Code.
We will also examine the stereotypes regarding males and females.

The Sexual Education Unit

Today we will start the sex education unit with the showing of the DVD, "The Miracle of Life", a NOVA production.  You will answer questions while watching the video.

Multiple Choice Test

Chapter 7 Multiple Choice test

Chapter 7 Packet

Chapter 7 Packet will be grades.

Lab: Photosynthesis

This lab will be recorded as a test grade.  The lab report will be due at the end of the period.  Each student will write his or her own report. 

Cellular Respiration / Photosynthesis

Compare and contrast Cellular respiration and photosynthesis. 
(This is the same assignment that was assigned on November 16, 2018.

The Calvin Cycle

Chapter 7 Photosynthesis

 Although not yet on the topic of Genetics, we will discuss the article: " Chinese Scientist Claims First Gene-Edited Babies.

You will take notes from the PowerPoint. ( An overview of Photosynthesis)

Welcome Back

We will discuss the chapter 6 test results. 

Introduction to Photosynthesis  

Compare and Contrast Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis

Use pictures and words to compare and contrast cellular respiration to photosynthesis. Be creative.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

The Chloroplast

Chapter 6 Test

Multiple choice test on Cellular Respiration.

Grading Chapter 6 Packet

You will turn in the usual assignments plus the drawing of the mitochondrion, the Vitamin chart, and your energy needs diagram.

Energy Needs Assignment

You will follow directions to calculate your total energy needs.  You will then compare the calories you actually consumed to your caloric needs.

In addition, you will list some of the vitamins and minerals needed by the body; you will state the vitamin, the source of the vitamin, functions performed, and symptoms of deficiency or extreme excess.

The vitamins and minerals to be examined are those that are directly related to the cellular respiration:
Vitamin B1 - Thiamine
Vitamin B 2 - Riboflavin
Vitamin B3  - Niacin
Vitamin B6
Pantothenic acid
Chromium
Iron

 

Videos for Cellular Respiration

Click on the following links to view:

Cellular Respiration

Cellular Respiration Song

Fermentation

You will take notes from the PowerPoint to complete the chapter.

Calorimetric Lab

You will work in your lab groups to calculate the calories in cheetos and tortilla chips.
You will use a rudimentary calorimeter to measure the calories.

The Krebs Cycle

The Krebs Cycle takes place in the mitochondrial matrix.

The Krebs Cycle ( Citric Acid Cycle)

PowerPoint Presentation

You will take notes from the PowerPoint.  You will examine the details of glycolysis, the Krebs cycle,
and the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.

Chapter 6: How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy

You will take notes from the PowerPoint to help explain the overview of cellular respiration given during class yesterday.

Overview of Cellular Respiration

You will take notes on the major aspects of cellular respiration.  These notes are intended to breakdown the process and for you to understand the big picture, to help you comprehend the details. 
I hope you will read each of the stages, and then read the textbook and look at the pictures to follow grasp the process.  After all " 'they' say a picture is worth a thousand words." 😐

PowerPoint - Notes

 Friday, November 2, 2018
You will take notes on the first few sections of the text:
Breathing supplying the oxygen to our cells
Cellular respiration banking energy in ATP molecules and
making connections by showing how the body uses energy from ATP for all its activities.

Introduction to Chapter 6

Equation representing cellular respiration:  The equation is REDOX reaction.   (LEO the lion says GER).  Loss of electron is oxidation.  Gain of electron is reduction.



Hydrogen is removed from the glucose from glucose by the enzyme dehydrogenase during cellular respiration.The dehydrogenase denotes the hydrogen to an acceptor NAD/NADH or FAD/ FADH2

Click on the link to view article on blood doping:  Blood doping

View details of the home work by clicking on the PLHS line.
 

Chapter 6 How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy

  Happy Halloween !!

All play and no work makes Jack a .................   : |

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Below is a picture of the mitochondrion:

 (SA - volume ratio is surface area

                                                                                                       volume ratio)

Chapter 5 Multiple Choice Test

Chapter 5 Packet

Chapter 5 Packet will be graded.

After grading the packet, I will share information read about why some people are "fearless" while others are crippled by fear.

Permeability Lab

You will work in groups of 4 to test the permeability of the dialysis tubing.  You will use two different solutions to make a "cell". The dialysis tubing will represent the plasma membrane.

 

Phagocytosis, Endocytosis, Receptor Mediated Endocytosis

You will finish taking notes on the PowerPoint to end the chapter.  I will give additional information for the Permeability Lab tomorrow, and I will share with you information on:
1) Robotic Pills Replacing Injections
2) Vitamin Size Cameras to Reach Every Part of the Gut and
3) The Nobel Prize Awarded to scientist figuring out how the body know where to deliver the material.

Below is a video link with the details of what happens during Water Poisoning.  It is based on the real  case of the "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" story.  This video explains in details what happens inside the body. It also explains how the condition can be treated.

Video Link:  Water Poisoning

Facilitated Diffusion

You will take notes on facilitated diffusion, active transport, exocytosis, and endocytosis.

Click on the link to view video on membrane transport:
Transport in and out of the cell

Tonicity: hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions

You will take notes and have a discussion on the topic of diffusion and osmosis..

The relative concentration of solutes dissolved in an aqueous solution which determines the extent and direction of flow of water.

Membrane separates two solutions with different sugar concentrations. Water molecules can pass through the membrane, but sugar molecules cannot.

The behavior of animal and plant cells in different osmotic environments.

 

 

Click on the links below to view real life example of water rushing into the cells, thus causing water poisoning.

Hold your Wee for a Wii 

 Court settlement for the water poisoning death

 

Water intoxication, also known as water poisoning, overhydration, or water toxemia is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside safe limits by excessive water intake.  

Endurance sports

Marathon runners are susceptible to water intoxication if they drink too much while running. This is caused when sodium levels drop below 135 μmol/L when athletes consume large amounts of fluid. This has been noted to be the result of the encouragement of excessive fluid replacement by various guidelines. This has largely been identified in marathon runners as a dilutional hyponatremia.^[5] A study conducted on participants of the 2002 Boston Marathon found that thirteen percent finished the race with hyponatremia. The study concluded that the strongest predictor of hyponatremia ( low sodium levels in the blood) was weight gain while racing (over-hydration), and hyponatremia was just as likely to occur in runners who chose sports drinks as those who chose water.^[5] Medical personnel at marathon events are trained to suspect water intoxication immediately when runners collapse or show signs of confusion.

The information above explaining water intoxication was copied from Wikipedia.

Enzyme Activity Lab

You will work in groups of 4 to examine the effects of temperature on enzymes.  The enzyme used will be catalase. You will examine the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by the enzyme.

Your lab reports will be due at the end of the period.

Plasma membrane

The plasma membrane consist of a double layer of fat (phospholipid bilayer) with embedded proteins.  The membrane controls the flow in and out of the cell.


 

Cofactors and Coenzymes

You will continue to take notes from the PowerPoint

Many enzymes require non-protein substances to function. Without them the enzymes would not work efficiently.  There are two types of these enzyme helpers:

1) Cofactor: inorganic molecules, minerals, usually metal ions. For instance magnesium is important in reactions where a phosphate group is transferred. One example of this is reversible reaction of ATP.
These cofactors can turn enzymes on and off or modify the rate at which enzymes work. Iron is another example.  Iron is an integral part of hemoglobin's ability to transport oxygen,

2) Coenzymes: organic compounds like vitamins. Coenzymes bind to specific site on a protein molecule and provides chemical functions that a protein alone cannot provide.  You body can make the necessary enzymes, but not the necessary minerals and vitamins which must be included in the diet.

Enzyme inhibitors:

Enymes: Biological Catalyst

You will take notes on Enzymes. ( The names of enzymes usually end with ase)

The enormous of biochemical reactions occurring within cells is regulated by enzymes.  Enzymes speed up chemical reactions, as well as control the rate at which reactions occur.  They are globular protein molecules manufactured by each cell.  More than 2000 enzymes have been recognized based on the chemical reactions they catalyze.  All of them are structurally different.





An enzyme recognizes a specific molecule called a substrate and binds to it.  Some enzymes are so specific they only act on one substrate, while others can act on a class of substrate.

Enzymes can bring about changes to molecule to which it binds. The change usually involves the forming or breaking of a covalent chemical bond.  Enzymes may split the substrate into two pieces, may add a chemical side group to the molecule, or may simply rearrange the bonds in the substrate.


Enzymes lower the activation energy by 1) providing a medium that is more favorable than the surrounding one. 2) By bringing the reactant into close contact. 3) They might add or remove a proton from the substrate , strain the substrate molecule's bond, or even form temporary covalent bond between the substrate and some part of the enzyme itself.

The Working Cell

You will take notes from the PowerPoint presentation.  In addition, the chapter 5 Packet will be distributed and you will start the work by attempting the first 11 fill in the blanks section and doing assignment 2 .

ATP Molecule

 
In an endergonic reaction the product has more energy than the reactant. For example

Photosynthesis

In an exergonic reaction energy is released so the reactants have more energy than the products.  For example:

Cellular Respiration

Chpater 5: The Working Cell

You will be taught about multiple choice test taking strategies in order to help you score higher on the test.  However, be reminded that proper study preparation is still needed.  Information about how to prepare is available.

You will also take notes on the chapter.

First Law of Thermodynamic:
The law of Conservation of Energy.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can be changed from one form to another

Second Law of Thermodynamics
The Law of Entropy: the measure of the amount of disorder or randomness in a system
When energy is transformed from one form to another, there is a loss of usable energy as heat.

Chapter 4 Multiple Choice Test

Chapter 4 Packet is due.

You will grade the chapter 4 packet in class.
In addition, you will turn in your take home analogy test.

Cell Types Lab/ Review Lab Write-up Format.

Due to the PSAT testing yesterday, you will be able to complete the cell types lab. 

We will also review Lab Write up Format.

Cell Types Lab

You will continue working on the lab.  Students taking the PSAT will have time in class on Thursday to complete the lab. 

The multiple choice test will be on Monday, October 22nd.  The study guide is available on the PLHS home work page.

Good luck with the PSAT.  A high score will have many colleges contacting you.  Some will even offer full rides.

Cell Types Lab

You will observe, study, and learn about cells.

Power Point Presentation

You will take notes from the PowerPoint.

Using the Microscope

You will work in groups of two to learn how to use a compound light microscope.

Each group will have one microscope and you will follow the directions listed in the handout to help you learn how to properly use a microscope. 

Organelles of the Endomembrane System

The details of the cell analogy take home test is listed on the PLHS home work page.  Click the link on the right of this page for your class period to view.
 
You will take notes from the PowerPoint.

Also, we will spend a few minutes discussing two article:
1) Is It Ethical to Choose Your Baby's Eye Color? and
2) The Future of Food: meals that you print, edible bar codes and more.

Introduction to the Organelles

You will take notes on the functions of the organelles.  This will be explained without the PowerPoint. The PowerPoint Presentation will be shown later to add pictures and clarity.  In addition, a few videos are added to help the visual learner.

Click the link at the end of the sentence for a video review of the functions of some of the organelles:
Functions of some of the organelles

Second video describing some of the organelles: Organelles

Click on the link to look inside a human cell. Inside a Human Cell

A Tour of the Cell

Remember read ahead or read sections covered in class.  This helps with your understanding of the chapter.

To understand how life works - whether in bacteria or in your own body- you need to learn about cells.  Cells are the smallest entities that can show the characteristics of life.  Some living things are single cellular, some are multi-cellular. Below are two examples of single cellular organisms.

Bacterium

 

An Ameoba 

The microscope played a significant role in realization that living things were made up of cells. This realization lead to the Cell Theory: 1) All living things are made of one or more cells, 2) Cells come from pre-existing cells,  3) Nothing less than a cell can show the properties of life.  ( Ha! Ha! where did the first cell come from?  : |



The Light Microscope

Click on the links How Do Electron Microscopes Work?

Nutrient Lab Review and Test Discussion

I will discuss the errors observed on your lab reports in order to prevent similar error on subsequent reports. 
Also, I will discuss the test grades.  Due to the field trip, more students than normal were absent for the test. You should come in individually to view your test results.

For the final few minutes of class you will start to draw and label the animal cell found in chapter 4 of the textbook.  The drawing should be completed as home work.

Chapter 3 Multiple Choice Test.

You will take the test in class. Relax an pay attention to the details.

If there enough time remaining after the test, we will discuss the Nutrient Testing Lab assignment from yesterday.

Nutrient Testing Lab

You will work in groups of four to test food items for different nutrients. 
You will test for the following nutrients in the food items provided:
1) Fats and oil
2) Starch
3) Glucose
4) Sucrose
5) Proteins.

The following indicators will be used to confirm the presence of each nutients:
a) brown paper
b) Iodine
c) Benedict's Solution
d) Biuret's Solution

Each group of four students will have a different combination of foods to work with.

Lab Reports will be collected from each student at the end of the class.

Have fun.

Chapter 3 Packet is Due

After grading the packet, you will be given instructions about the nutrient testing lab on Thursday, September 27, 2018.

The Role of Proteins in a Cell

You do not need to do the essay questions in the packet

You will start the assignment in class to research the role of Proteins in a Cell.
You will create a chart to list the 7 Functions of proteins.
In the assignment you will include: Functions, Description, Examples.

Chapter 3 test is on Friday, September 28, 2018.  Clink on the PLHS link to view study Guide

Nucleic Acid.

You will be introduced to nucleic acids. The details of nucleic acids will be covered later in the school year under the units on genetics.

The monomers of nucleic acids are nucleotides.  Each nucleotide is made of a phosphate group, linked to a 5-carbon sugar. Each nucleic acid chain has a backbone in which phosphate groups alternate with sugar molecules to form a covalently linked polymer. Attached to the sugar ring of each nucleotide by loss of a molecule is one of four nitrogenous bases: A, T, C and G.

If the proteins are the building materials of life, then nucleic acids are the blueprint.  The DNA has the instructions and directs the RNA in functioning of cells and the synthesis of proteins
 

Proteins

You will take notes from the PowerPoint on the role of Proteins



It is only in the nature of the variant (R) that amino acids differ from one another.  There are only about twenty amino acids that occur in the proteins of living organisms, although there are more than 2000 natural and artificially made amino acids.

There are ten essential amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be included in the diet.

 Click the link immediately below to  view video.
Video: Protein Structure and Folding

PowerPoint Presentation - Lipids

You will take notes on lipids.  We will discuss the differences between unsaturated and saturated fats.  We will also discuss trans fats; how it is produced and the health consequences of having a diet high in saturated fats. 

We will also discuss steroids and discuss steroids and the modern athlete.

PowerPoint Presentation of Chapter 3

 You will take notes from the PowerPoint and details about each of the macromolecules will be discussed.
Remember you will find the packet easy if you work on the sections each day after the lecture.  Also memorize the daily vocabulary after each class.

Lipids and Nucleic Acids

Lipids:  The monomers of lipids are fatty acids and glycerol. They are not considered true polymers because they are made of two different monomers.  Fats, oils, and steroids belong to this group of macromolecules.

Example of a steroid

Nucleic Acids: The monomers of nucleic acids are nucleotides.  DNA and RNA are examples of nucleic acids.  They are the blueprint of life.  

The DNA Molecule

Proteins

Proteins are made of the monomers amino acids.  Proteins account for more than 50 % of the dry weight of most cells and are instrumental in almost everything.  All proteins are made of 20 kinds of amino acids

The general structure of an amino acid




 
 

Introduction to the Macromolecules.

You will be introduce to the macromolecules and their monomers;
1) Carbohydrates ( Polysaccharides)  - monomers glucose
2) Proteins - monomers  amino acids
3) Lipids -  monomers fatty acids and glycerol
4) Nucleic acids - monomers nucleotides.

Starch, glycogen and cellulose are also examples of polysaccharides.  Excess glucose is stored in plants as starch, and in animal tissue as glycogen.  The cell wall of plants called cellulose are made of glucose.

Polysaccharides

Click on the images to enlarge.

Discussion of Chapter 2 Test and Introduction to Chapter 3

You will spend the first half of the class reviewing the questions and answer to the test.
If desired, you will be able to meet individually to review your test.

The second half of the class will be spent reviewing carbon chemistry. Unlike compounds formed from other elements, carbon compounds are far more numerous and varied.  There are several million carbon compounds known and several hundred thousands are synthesized each year.

The most common elements found with carbon are hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, and the halogens.

 

End of Chapter 2 and start of Chapter 3

Chapter 2 Multiple Choice Test.

After the test, you will review carbon chemistry by examining the diversity of carbon based compounds.

September 10, 2018 - September 14, 2018

Friday, September 14, 2018

Chapter 2 Packet is due and will be graded.  It should include all the items listed in Thursday's post.

The Water Properties Lab will also be graded.

Thursday, September 13, 2018

You will watch the video "Forces of Nature" a BBC production with PBS and takes notes highlighting how the elements discussed are used in the bodies of animals.

The following information will be turned in during class tomorrow:
1) Completed packet
2) class notes
3) home notes
4) 7 vocabulary words
5) Notes from the Forces of Nature Video
6) Table of Contents

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

You will take notes on the rest of the chapter.  We will also complete pages 13 and 14 of the chapter 2 packet in class.

Water: The Uncommon Liquid
Irregularity of the density of water. The highest density of water occurs when the molecules are packed tightly together.  The crystal arrangement of ice has a lot of space incorporated in it. There are fewer molecules of water per volume in ice, than there are in water.

 

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

You will start the class defining three vocabulary words. The words are listed under the vocabulary tab above.
Lab activity;  You will work in groups of 2 to complete the Water Properties Lab.

Note the difference between
cohesion and adhesion

                                       

Monday, September 10, 2018

Chapter 2: The Chemical Basis of Life

Continue working on the chapter 2 Packet. Skip the fill in the blank pages.

You will have brief notes on the properties of the elements based on the arrangement of the periodic table. Also we will discuss the Water.  We will discuss the properties of water; the reason it is considered a miracle solvent.

Click the link to view : Properties of Water