WE will use Quia.com, Edu20.com, and Moodle.org for computerized assessment and record keeping.

For class make sure to have a binder and looseleaf.

The course calendar is available and course outline is avaialble from the moodle.roundrockisd.org Moodle

Class Philosophy:

Explore Biology and challenge the student to be an independent self starting learner. Encourage the student to learn to read with a voracious curiosity for knowledge and to become an accomplished, efficient, and meticulous observer of life and its processes.

Mushroom fruiting body

Emergency Medical Information

Science Laboratory Safety Contract

AP Biology, STOP here until further notice which will be given below.

LIVER FLUKES--model for study body systems and function.

Liver fluke

liver fluke 2

liver fluke life cycle

Why are we studying a liver fluke?

Evolution Assignments for AP Biology, starts Sept. 8, 2008.

Each student should complete the questions and keep in your binder etc.

Evolution

Click on "Evolution," then "Evolving Ideas" Open the videos indicated using QUICKTIME link and watch.

For each video segment, you have one essay question to answer. Please write on paper. Each essay should be 2-3 paragraphs.

KEEP essays with name, video segment and video TITLE. Write the question at the top of the essay.

Video 1 - Isn't evolution just a theory?

Is it correct to say that evolution is JUST a theory? Is gravity JUST a theory? Defend your answer.

Video 2 - Who was Charles Darwin?

Why was Darwin considered to be an "revolutionary"?

Video 3 - How do we know that evolution happens?

Describe the transitional fossils associated with whale evolution. Include specific examples of these fossils and explain why they are considered to be whale ancestors?

Video 3A - Sweaty T-shirts and Human Mate Choice

Click on T-Shirt T-Shirt

Describe the experiment and summarize the conclusion.

Video 4 - How Does Evolution Really Work?

Describe the process of natural selection and how it affects hummingbird populations.

Video 5 - Did Humans Evolve

Explain how DNA sequences are used to provide evidence for common ancestry.

Video 6 - Why Does Evolution Matter Now?

Why is the theory of evolution an important theory for doctors and in the field of medicine? How does the theory affect the way illnesses and treatments are approached?

Video 7 - Why is Evolution Controversial Anyway?

Many mainstream religions (including Catholicism) do not find a conflict between faith and evolution. Describe how a person can reconcile what the bible says with what science says and include your own view about whether you think a person can believe in God (and the bible) and also understand the Theory of Evolution.

AP BiologyStop here COMPLETE essays due 9/10/2008.

AP Biology ASSIGNMENT for 10/06/08

Evolution Assignment

WRITE THE QUESTIONS in your notes with the answer following for each question.

The Tale of the Peacock

Click on Peacock.

Peacock

Answer the questions below on the Tale of the Peacock and keep in your folder.

1. How did Darwin explain the extravagance of the peacock's tail?
2. According to Marion Petrie, how do peahens choose their mates?
3. What is observed in the relationship between the peacock train eyespots and offspring?
4. How can train properties be disadvantageous?

The Red Queen

Answer the questions on the Red Queen below and keep in your folder.

Click on Red Queen

1. How are the fish in the video different in terms of reproduction?
2. What were the conclusions of Robert Vrijenhoek?
3. Biologically, what is the goal of life?
4. Why is asexual reproduction most effective in attaining the goal of life?
5. Why is sexual reproduction not as efficient as asexual reproduction for completing the goal of life?
6. What is the advantage of sexual reproduction?
7. What does the Red Queen tell Alice?
8. According to the Red Queen hypothesis, sexual reproduction persists...
9. How do the topminnows ponds in Mexico vary with regard to parasites?
10. What type of reproduction is more advantageous in fighting parasites? Why?

Red Queen

The common genetic code

Watch the video and explain how Paul Nurse demonstrated that yeast and humans share genes.

The common genetic code

Questions to answer:

1. What did Paul Nurse demonstrate?
2. What is a gene?
3. Define genetic code.
4. What does mean that genes are conserved?
5. Define amino acids.
6. Define proteins.
7. How many species of organisms are on the earth now?
8. Write a short paragraph that explains Paul Nurses' experiment.
9. When did the ultimate ancestor exist?
10. What connects us to all organisms on the earth?

October 6, 2008 assignment complete.

PROTIST LAB INFORMATION, USE AS DIRECTED

Plasmolysis

Paramecium info and color diagram

Paramecium lab

You just saw nonliving molecules or chemical machines doing mechanical work inside of a living cell...natures nanotecnology...the meaning of life...the bridge between dead molecules and living tissue...Can you grasp it!!!

Comment from youtube on Inner Life of Cell.

The sites below offer review of DNA and RNA function and mitosis. Meiosis is introduced. Study these sites. We will have a Quia quiz using the information in these and related sites.

Processing gene information

Within the DNA replication to to INDEX at the bottom of the page and review DNA anatomy and RNA translation.

DNA replication

Amino Acids

Mitosis

Meiosis

Practice Mitosis and Meiosis

Meiosis Tutorial

Use the following site for review of mitosis, meiosis, and vocabulary for cell division and genetics. Karyotyping is also covered.

Mitosis etc.

How to extract DNA from anything

SDS

EDTA

11/11/08 AP Biology Assignment Evolution

Genetic Tool Kit

Toxic Newts

Asexual Reproducers

Human Chromosome 2

Questions from videos above:

Human Chromosome 2

1. What is the chromosome number of the great apes? of humans?
2. What are the two explanations for the difference between human and ape chromosome number?
3. What explanation is offered for the difference?
4. What is the first line of evidence?
5. Second line?
6. Third line?

Genetic tool kit

1. Describe the relationship of segmentation to body structure.
2. What is the function of homeobox genes?

Toxic newts

1. What are possible sources that force organisms to adapt?
2. Describe the relationship between Taricha granulosa and the garter snake.

Asexual reproducers

1. What is the advantage of sexual reproduction in natural selection?
2. What is parthenogenesis?
3. What is one advantage of asexual reproduction?

STOP 11/11/08 AP BIOLOGY ASSIGNMENT COMPLETED.

Chimp

Go to the following link and watch the video and answer the questions.

Self-evolution_1

1. About 4.5 mya, human types began to spend time where and what was their posture?
2. How are human thumbs different from chimp thumbs?
3. How did climate change when humans left the forest?
4. What was developed as humans' migrated to the savanah?
5. How did the range of forests change as human ancestors migrated?

Go to the following link and watch the video and answer the questions.

Self-evolution_2

1. What were the dangers of the night?
2. What disadvantage did human ancestors have at night?
3. How did humans protect themselves at night?
4. Where was evidence of predation on primates found?
5. What type of skull markings were discovered on human prey?
6. As humans banded together, what tasks were important for evolving brains?
7. How are human hips different from quadrupeds?
8. What is the price of large brains?
9. How do human kind solve the birthing of big-brain offspring?
10. How do infant skulls move through the birth canal?
11. What has to happen as infants grow?
12. All human babies are basically born _________, why?

Go to the following link and watch the video and answer the questions.

Self-evolution_3

1. What developed to allow for enhanced communication in human groups?
2. How long might it take for a chimp to learn to crack open nuts? Why?
3. Why can humans transfer knowledge much more quickly than chimps?
4. How is the anatomy of the human and chimp different with regard to the larynx?
5. What is the trade-off in the positioning of the larynx in human evolution?
6. What disaster caught humans by surprise 70,000 years ago?
7. What was the effect of this disaster and how long did it last?

Self-evolution_4

Self-evolution_5

Assignment: Watch the 13 videos of the series Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey, click below to go to part 1.

Journey of Man: Genetic Odyssey (Part 1 of 13)

For each part, type at least two key points in a Quia essay. The key points should be labelled as 1.1, 1.2, etc. Then use 2.1, 2.2, etc.

Archived notes of Dr. Clifford

STOP--STOP--STOP

Insect Identification

Identifiying insects using a dichotomous key.

Write all answers and comments on a sheet of loose leaf and keep in your binder or turn in according to teacher instructions.

Click on Insect Identification

Go to Insect Body-parts on the left side of the screen and draw the insect and label. Then define the following terms:
elytra and haltere.

Get a dead insect from the bins provided. Disassembly the insect carefully with the tools provided and identify parts based upon the guide provided by the Insect Body-parts link on the left side of the screen.
Draw the disassembled parts and label.

Describe the procedure for using a dichotomous key.

Why is the term dichotomous used?

Then click on Insect Identification on the left.

Then write each choice in the key (IN FULL) until you get to the order of the insect provided.

BioTAKS Quick Review

VIRTUAL PIG DISSECTION

Virtual Pig Dissection

Insect Collection

Have 10 insects in 10 different orders.

Plant Atlas Rubric. If you are completing the plant project, you must turn in a rubric with your project.

Plant rubric

Squid Dissection

Squid

Use pictures 1, 2, 3, and 5. Count horizontally.

First label the external parts for a picture.

One person should use the computer, the others dissect. All fill out the lab sheet.

Group, label the dissection for a picture.

Final Review 2008 is posted.

The TAKS review may be used during the test which will be on Quia.

There are multiple assignments posted for review. Work on the assignments today and please ask questions.

PAY particular attention to the pig dissection.

Pig Dissection