Ms. Hero's Bio Blog: 2010

Sunday, November 14, 2010

If you are in 4th period, please respond to this post.

This week it is your turn to find a current event related to our current unit - DNA, genetics, protein synthesis, and transformation. Find a news article related DNA. Write the name of the article and the author in your post. Paste the link into your comment. And then describe the article and how it relates to what you have learned in this unit.

Here are some sources that you can use to find articles:

SF Gate: http://www.sfgate.com/science/
Science News: http://www.sciencenews.org/
NY Times Science News: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/science/
Popular Science: http://www.popsci.com/

If you are in 5th period, please respond to this post.

If you are in 6th period, please respond to this post.

If you are in 7th period, please respond to this post.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

DNA is used to solve crimes...

But what if the DNA was found in a catepillar, and not on the victim? Read Caterpillars tattletale to police. How can the caerpillars be used to solve crimes? Why is DNA technology important?

Fish are rich in Omega-3 Fats

But what if you don't like fish? Read Moving Good Fats from Fish to Mice. Why are Omega 3 Fats good for you? What is genetic engineering? How are scientists making beef and chicken better for you? Don't forget to explain how this relates to protein synthesis and transformation.

Can you imagine a fast food restaurant without french fries?

Potatoes are in trouble, but scientists are using genes from other organisms to protect potatoes. Read New Gene Fights Potato Blight. How can genetic engineering help potato farmers? How does this relate to protein synthesis and our transformation lab?

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Green Pigs?

Read the following article: http://www.justmeans.com/Bring-on-Enviropig-Can-Genetic-Engineering-Make-Meat-a-More-Sustainable-Food/34120.html

What is a genetically modified organism? What genetic modifications are scientists making to these pigs? Describe the pros and cons.

Who owns your DNA?

Read Isolated DNA belongs to nature, says US by Bob Willis.

What is a patent? Why have biotech companies patented DNA? What does the US government say? Who do you think should own DNA? Why?

Genetics of Autism

Read the following article: The unusual suspects - With no obvious culprit in sight, geneticists do broader sweeps to identify autism’s causes

What is autism? What research/tests are scientists doing? How are they using DNA to try to figure out the cause(s) of autism. What have they found so far?

Sunday, October 24, 2010

If you are in 4th period, please respond to this post.

This week it is your turn to find a current event related to our current unit - DNA, genetics, protein synthesis, and transformation. Find a news article related DNA. Write the name of the article and the author in your post. Paste the link into your comment. And then describe the article and how it relates to what you have learned in this unit.
Here are some sources that you can use to find articles:
SF Gate: http://www.sfgate.com/science/
Science News: http://www.sciencenews.org/
NY Times Science News: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/science/
Popular Science: http://www.popsci.com/

If you are in 5th period, please respond to this post.

This week it is your turn to find a current event related to our current unit - DNA, genetics, protein synthesis, and transformation. Find a news article related DNA. Write the name of the article and the author in your post. Paste the link into your comment. And then describe the article and how it relates to what you have learned in this unit.

Here are some sources that you can use to find articles:
SF Gate: http://www.sfgate.com/science/
Science News: http://www.sciencenews.org/
NY Times Science News: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/science/
Popular Science: http://www.popsci.com/

If you are in 6th period, please respond to this post.

If you are in 7th period, please respond to this post.

This week it is your turn to find a current event related to our current unit - DNA, genetics, protein synthesis, and transformation. Find a news article related DNA. Write the name of the article and the author in your post. Paste the link into your comment. And then describe the article and how it relates to what you have learned in this unit.

Here are some sources that you can use to find articles:

SF Gate: http://www.sfgate.com/science/

Science News: http://www.sciencenews.org/

NY Times Science News: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/science/

Popular Science: http://www.popsci.com/

Sunday, October 17, 2010

4th Period: Size of the Human Genome

This week we are studying how our DNA is used as a "recipe" or "code" for all of our traits. Read the article More than a chicken, less than a grape by Tina Hesman Saey.

What is the human genome project? What is a gene? What do genes code for? What is an intron? What is an exon? Why might scientists look at RNA rather than DNA to count the number of genes human's have?

5th Period: Size of the Human Genome

This week we are studying how our DNA is used as a "recipe" or "code" for all of our traits. Read the article More than a chicken, less than a grape by Tina Hesman Saey.

What is the human genome project? What is a gene? What do genes code for? What is an intron? What is an exon? Why might scientists look at RNA rather than DNA to count the number of genes human's have?

6th Period: Size of the Human Genome

This week we are studying how our DNA is used as a "recipe" or "code" for all of our traits. Read the article More than a chicken, less than a grape by Tina Hesman Saey.

7th Period: Size of the Human Genome

This week we are studying how our DNA is used as a "recipe" or "code" for all of our traits. Read the article More than a chicken, less than a grape by Tina Hesman Saey.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

If you are in 4th Period, respond to this post.

Here are some sources that you can use to find articles:

SF Gate: http://www.sfgate.com/science/

Science News: http://www.sciencenews.org/

NY Times Science News: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/science/

Popular Science: http://www.popsci.com/

If you are in 5th Period, respond to this post.

Here are some sources that you can use to find articles:

SF Gate: http://www.sfgate.com/science/

Science News: http://www.sciencenews.org/

NY Times Science News: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/science/

Popular Science: http://www.popsci.com/

If you are in 6th Period, respond to this post.

Here are some sources that you can use to find articles:

SF Gate: http://www.sfgate.com/science/

Science News: http://www.sciencenews.org/

NY Times Science News: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/science/

Popular Science: http://www.popsci.com/

If you are in 7th Period, respond to this post.

This week it is your turn to find a current event related to our current unit - cells. Find a news article related cells, organelles, or DNA. Write the name of the article and the author in your post. Paste the link into your comment. And then describe the article and how it relates to what you have learned in this unit.

Here are some sources that you can use to find articles:
SF Gate: http://www.sfgate.com/science/
Science News: http://www.sciencenews.org/
NY Times Science News: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/science/
Popular Science: http://www.popsci.com/

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Halloween Corn Mazes

When I was a student in Davis, I would love to go to the nearby corn maze each Halloween with my friends each year. Corn mazes are lots of fun, but they, as well as other plants, provide us with another great service.

Read the article Corn is more than ears on the table by Paul G. Weigman.

Describe how plants photosynthesize and how that is a benefit to us.

Fat - the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Read the following article Myths, misconceptions and half truths on fat by Dr. CS Foo.

Why are fats important? Why are fats good, what is bad about fats?

Micracle Tomatoes

Each of our cells have a nucleus. What type of cells do we have? How do you tell the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

In the nucleus, there are DNA and genes. In the article, Tomatoes that trick taste buds by Stephen Ornes, tomatoes have been made that allow sour things to taste sweet. How did scientists do this? Describe how the genes are modified. Why would anyone want to eat something that changes your taste buds?

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Chloroplasts

Are plants the only organism that has chloroplasts in their cells? Can animals have chloroplast? Read the following article Making the most of a meal by Stephen Ornes.

What is a chloroplast? What is chlorophyll? What do they do? Explain why the scientists say the sea slugs "are what they eat?"

Mitochondria

Each eukaryotic cells has many organelles. Read the following article Aerobic exercise improves ability to burn fat by Eric Heiden.

What fuels your cellular activity? What are mitochondria? Why do aerobic athletes have more mitochondria than average people? Why are mitochondria important when excercising?

Stem Cells

We are beginning our new unit on cells. We have many different types of cells - brain cells, skin cells, nerve cells, muscle cells, etc. Can one type of cell become another type?

Read the following article Giving the Brain a Hand by Susan Gaidos. What are stem cells? How do you make them? Where else can you get stem cells from? Why are stem cells important?

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Hypotheses vs. Theories

My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizza-pies. When I learned to memorize the planets, my teacher taught me that mnemonic device. But since Pluto is no longer considered a planet that needs to change. Read the following article about Pluto. Is Pluto No Longer a Planet? from National Geographic.

Why is Pluto no longer considered a planet? What is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory? Can you prove a hypothesis? When does a hypothesis become a theory?

Experimental Design

When conducting a lab experiment, you must have variables and controls. Read the following article A pepper part that burns fat, by Stephen Ornes.

What were the independent and dependent variables? What was the control group? Why is it important to have a control group? Write out a proper hypothesis in the "If, And, Then" format.

Making Gemstones and the Scientific Method

Our first unit is almost over... We spent the first part of our unit covering the scientfiic method. We looked at how to create your own experiment, from observations to hypotheses, and testing your ideas. In the article, These gems make their own way, by Roberta Kwok, Carrol Chatham tried to make diamonds and ended up making emeralds.

Describe the scientific processes that Chatham used to create his gems. What are lab made gems used for? How similar are they to naturally made gems?

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Enzymes

All living things depend on four macromolecules. An important type of protein are enzymes. Read the following article on enzymes: Enzymes Exposed by Lisa Grossman.

What are enzymes? What do they do? How do they work? How can scientists use enzymes to help people?

DNA and Ancestry

This week we are looking at the four macromolecules. One of those is nucleic acids, and DNA is a type of nucleic acid. Read the following article: Your inner Neandertal by Stephen Ornes.

What is DNA? What does DNA do? The article says that modern humans share DNA with Neandertal's. Who were the Neadertal's? How does DNA help us determine our relationship, when Neandertal's are extinct?

Life on Mars?

Over the last week or two, we have been studying what defines life. There has always been debate about whether life on Mars has existed or can exist. Read the following article: Mars organics get new lease on life by Ron Cowen.

What are the characteristics of life? What must all living things be made out of? What did the scientists discover? Is life possible on Mars?

Welcome to Ms. Hero's Biology Blog!

Each week I will post a few blog entries related to what we are currently studying in class. Many times I will post a link to a news article or a link to another blog which somehow relates to what we are studying. I want you to read the article/blog and then post your comments, ideas, or questions that you have. I want to see what you have learned and what connections you make with our classwork and the "real world".

You will be required to post a comment on the blog once a week. Please use complete sentences and proper grammar. Your answer should be at least 1 paragraph long and should show me that you understand how the news story relates to what we are learning. Make sure that you sign your comment with your FIRST NAME, LAST INITIAL and PERIOD. Do NOT use your last name! The grading rubric is on the right side of the screen.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Biodiversity in Peril, the U.N. Warns

Parrots are in peril, the planet is in peril.... now biodiversity is in peril. What does peril mean? Read the following article and watch the video: Biodiversity in Peril, the UN warns. Why are we dependent on biological resources? What can we do? What is the good news?

Effects of the Ice Age

The last Ice Age was the beginning of the extinction of many species. Read the following article. Loss of species after Ice Age seen as warning. What do the fossils reveal? How much did populations decline? Did all species decline? Why/why not? Give an example.

Do you like Sushi?

If you like sushi, you should pay attention to where the fish comes from. Watch the following video: Just How Much Mercury is in the Fish you are Eating. Where does the mercury come from? What is the harm in mercury? Why is this a problem? (Think of food webs.)

Climate Change and Species Change?

A Grolar Bear has been found! Read the following article: Bear shot in N.W.T. was grizzly-polar hybrid, Could be first 2nd generation hybrid found in wild. What is a groler bear? What is a hybrid? How has climate change affected these species? Remember what we learned in our evolution unit... what makes a species a species? Is a groler bear a species?

Monday, May 17, 2010

Ivory Trade

Read the following article about illegal wildlife trade. Asian ivory trade poses danger to African elephant. How does this relate to what we have done in class the last few weeks? What will happen if nothing is done? What are some things that you can do?

Loss of important collection

In Brazil, the largest collection of snake specimins has been lost in a fire. Read the following article: Brazil fire burns huge collection of dead snakes. Why is a collection of dead organisms so important? Think about what we have learned in class over the last few weeks.

GMO Eukalyptus Trees

Last semester we did a socratic seminar about Genetically Modified Organisms. What is a GMO? What are the benefits? What are the drawbacks?

Read the following article: US OKs Genetically Engineered Trees in South; May Be Used for Biofuel . Describe both sides to this story. How might this affect our environment - good and bad?What would you choose to do?

The California Condor

The California Condor, a type of vulture, is an endangered species. You can currently only find the condor in the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and western coastal mountains of California and northern Baja California. And each of these birds has a tag on it's arm identifying it. The condors are part of a captive breeding and recovery program.

Because of lead poisoning, poaching, and habitat destruction, the numbers of wild condors dropped to 22 birds in the wild in the late 1980s, so scientists captured them all and brought them to the San Diego Wild Animal Park and the Los Angeles Zoo. Numbers rose through captive breeding and, beginning in 1991, condors have been reintroduced into the wild. This project is the most expensive species conservation project ever undertaken in the United States and the condor is one of the world's rarest bird species. As of March 2010, there are 349 condors known to be living, including 180 in the wild.

Earlier this year, the first egg was laid in the wild since the birds have been reintroduced. It was cause for great celebration. Until just last week... when the chick was found to have too much lead in its system, and was captured to bring in for medical help.

Read the following article. Bad News for Wild Condor Chick at Pinnacles National Monument. How do the birds get exposed to led? How can they be treated? How can this be prevented?

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Ecotourism

Are you travelling anywhere this summer? What affect will that have on our planet? Read the following article: The world’s best green vacations. Why can travelling negatively affect habitats or the Earth? What is ecotourism? Why is ecotourism important? What can you do?

Shade grown coffee

We have talked about the importance of biodiversity and the effects of habitat loss on species. We have also discussed bird migration. Birds depend on different habitats all over the world - most birds don't stay in the same habitat year round. Many birds that we are familiar with in the summer migrate south in the winter - and they spend their time on coffee plantations. Read the following article: Why Migratory Birds are Crazy for Coffee. Why do they stay on shade grown coffee plantations? What are the benefits of shade grown coffee? What are some of the issues with sun grown coffee plantations? How does it affect birds? What can you do to help?

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Get outside!

In class we have been spending some time outdoors birding. When I was young, I grew up playing outside - catching polywogs in the creek behind my house, climbing trees, and riding my bike. I went camping, learned about nature, and spent time outside. Now, I am suprised at how many of my students never go outside and are shocked when they tell me they have never even seen a deer before!

Why is going outside important? Read the following article. Explain what benefits the outdoors has on us.

In the Green of Health: Just 5 Minutes of 'Green Exercise' Optimal for Good Mental Health.

How are evolution and ecology related?

In biology we learn all about life but the year is broken up into units (cells, genetics, evolution, physiology, and ecology). It is easy to see how genetics relates to cells - cells have DNA/genes in them. Physiology is related to cells, because cells make up our different organ systems. Eevolution and ecology are closely related. How?

Read the following article: Evolution Impacts Environment: Fundamental Shift in How Biologists Perceive Relationship Between Evolution and Ecology from sciencedaily.com.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

How will the oil spill affect the food chain?

Ecologists have put up barriers to stop oil from the spill from reaching the shores of islands and land. But what affect will the oil have on land animals? Read the article Concerns Up and Down the Food Chain, by Leslie Kaufman. Be sure after reading the article to look at the graphic "Spills Affect Underwater" on the left of the page. Describe how the oil spill will play a major role in the food chain.

Will we stop drilling for oil?

Why do we drill for oil? What do we use oil for? Read the article Oil's hidden costs visible, but will it matter? by Seth Borenstein. Why do we drill offshore rather than on land? What are some alternative types of energy? What are the costs of the current oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico?

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Oil Spill!

Read the following New York Times article. And look at the map on the page. What caused the spill? How big is it? When will it hit land? Why are they burning the oil? What affect will this have on the enviornment?

Wildlife in the Gulf Oil Spill

Read the following article about the Gulf Oil Spill. What effect does oil have on marine mammals? Birds? What does UC Davis do to help out during oil spills?

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Starbucks 2015 Goal

Watch Starbucks new YouTube Video.

What is Starbucks greatest environmental liability? What percent of cups walk out the door? What new initiative is Starbucks doing with all new stores? What is Starbucks doing to solve this problem? What have they done in New York? What can you do?

The Battle for Biodiversity

Read the following article Hawaii: Model in the Battle for Biodiversity by Jon Letman. What is biodiversity? What is an endemic species? Invasive species? Why are non-native species such a problem? Why is loss of biodiversity a global problem? How is Hawaii a model? What can we do?

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Alice Algae and Freddy Fungus grew a "lichen" for each other.

Read the article When Fungi and Algae Marry by Emily Sohn .

What is lichen? What type of relationship do they have? symbiotic, mutualistic, parasitic, etc. Why are lichens so hard to study?

Surprise Visitor

Scientists are finding new species all the time. Why are they finding new species? What is the importance of all these species? Read the following article and watch the video. Suprise Visitor.

What is biodiversity and why are these species important? And how does this relate to evolution? Hint: Look back to the blog in January...

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Got Milk?

Read the following article: Got Milk? How? - Scientists are tracking down the first people who squeezed this nutritious liquid out of animals thousands of years ago by Emily Sohn. Evolutionarily, why do we drink milk? Why did only babies drink milk? How come now all ages of people drink milk? What are its nutritious benefits?

“Which made the chicken, the hormone or the gene?”

Read the following article: Half rooster, half hen - Study of special chickens suggests new thinking on hormones and gender by Stephen Ornes. Discuss the role of hormones and genetics on determination of sex.

Are bacteria our new fingerprint?

Read the following article: The tell-tale bacteria - What germs populate the hands may be as unique as fingerprints by Stephen Ornes. Relate it to what you have learned earlier this year about bacteria, genetic fingerprints, etc.

What is a microbe fingerprint and how might it be useful?

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

"Smoker's Epitaph"

Write a "Smoker's Epitaph" Anti-Smoking Poem. Follow this link to see examples and find instructions on how to write the epitath.

Effects of Smoking on Your Health

How does smoking cigarettes effect your health? Read the following article from Teens Health and describe what smoking does to your circulatory and respiratory system.

What is asthma?

What is asthma? What are the causes? What are the symptoms? How can it be controlled? Can it be cured?

Read this article from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute to help you answer the above questions.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Why do we have an appendix?

If we can remove your appendix why we all have one anyways? Read the following article: What the appendix is good for - Some body parts seem pointless but in fact have purpose, by Emily Sohn.

What is a vestigial organ? Why do we have an appendix, what does it do? Why does living in undeveloped ntries versus living in the US matter - what does this have to do with your appendix? What are some of our other vestigial organs and why do we have them?

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Monday, May 24, 2010

Monday, May 17, 2010

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Monday, March 15, 2010

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