1/17/10 Blog

This week in science, we learned about the cell cycle.

We learned that different cells go through the cycle different amounts of times. The cycle consists of:

1. Gap 1-in which the cell grows and makes proteins, interphase takes place
   
2. synthesis
3. Gap 2- in which the cell grows and the DNA replicates(copies)
4. Mitosis- in which each cell receives chromosome copies
   
5. Cytokinesis

Before a cell enters the synthesis stage, it checks if it is big enough and if the environment it is in is suitable. Between Gap 2 and Mitosis, the cell checks if the DNA is replicated, and during mitosis, the cell checks to make sure the chromosomes are alligned. Mitosis takes place in a very short amount of time. Cells spend 50% of their time in interphase, 27% of their time in prophase, 8% of their time in metaphase, 5% of their time in anapahse, and 2% of their time in telophase.

Many different things happen in mitosis, like: During anaphase, sister chromatids move apart; in Telophase, a new nuclear membrane forms around chromosomes and the cell's cytoplasm is divided; In, Prophase, the spindle is formed and the nuclear membrane and nucleolis begin to fade from view. Many things happen in Mitosis!

Also, by labeling pictures, we learned about identifying what stages of mitosis cells are in.

This is all very important to know because, cells are in and all around us, and it is important for us to know their life cycle.

This week in science, we learned about reproduction.

To learn about reproduction, our class made a table. For organism reproduction and cell reproduction, we put:

• some use sperm and egg to reproduce
• others split in two
• makes a copy of organelles
• replicates(copies)
• before splitting, DNA must double in size

Under the category of: Sex vs. Reproduction, we wrote

• For Sex:
• 50% sperm cell
• 50% egg cell
• cell delivery service
  
• does not necessarily end with offspring

For Reproduction:

• Sperm and egg join together
• fertilize

This is important to know because reproduction is constantly going on.

To further explore reproducing cells, we found out the 5 stages of Mitosis and tried to find cells during those stages in a microscope while looking at an onion root tip slide.

12-19-09 Blog

This week in science we learned more about DNA, the size order of cell parts, and how a cell compares to other things.

We learned more about DNA by reading sections of a DNA book and doing some simulations online. One thing I learned about DNA is that it is the main form of nucleic acid. Also, it carries genetic information and controls reproduction. Another thing I learned is that proteins are made up of amino acids. This is important to know about because our body is full of DNA.

We learned about the size order of cell parts by brainstorming with our groups. Here's the list our group came up with

1. atoms
2. molecule
3. adenine
4. base pairs
5. strand DNA
   
6. chromosome

This is important because an experiment can be completely inaccurate if the person conducting the experiment got one of these items mixed up with another.

We learned about how a cell compares to other things by creating an analogy. For example, I said that a cell is like a house. Ribosomes are like light bulbs and the house structure itself is like the cell wall. This is important to know because when trying to think of an organelle's function, you can think about the analogy and what each part of the home compares to in a cell.

12/12/09 Blog!

This week in Science, we learned about relationships between base pairs, m-RNA, t-RNA, and how cells make protein.

There are four different DNA bases:

1. Adonine
2. Cytosine
3. Thymine
4. Guanine

Adonine is always paired up with Thymine, and Cytosine is always paired with Guanine. The base pairs are the DNA code. We learned about the relationships by looking at a picture of DNA, and observed that there are four different DNA base pair colors. This is important to know because to understand DNA, you must understand the way base pairs work.

We also learned about m-RNA and t-RNA. m-RNA is messenger RNA. Its job is to copy the code the DNA has. t-RNA is transfer RNA. Its job is to bring pieces. RNA stands for ribose nucleic acid. It has one sugar backbone and no oxygen. We learned about this by doing a class simulation of how cells make protein. This is important to know because RNA is vital in the creation of something made with the help of DNA.

Finally, we learned about how cells make protein. To learn about this, we did a class simulation of how cells make protein. First, Someone had a code. Next, another person copied that code, crumpled the paper it was on, and threw it to our table. Our table decodes the message and finds that it says: put yellow on green. After that, we told two people to each bring a piece to the building table. Finally, we had one of the people that brought a piece bring the product to the thinking table. We figured out what parts of the cell each person represented. For example, the original person to have the code represented DNA, and my table represented ribosome, which read the code. This is important because protein is an important process that the cell goes through.

12-5-09 Blog!

This week in Science we learned all about photosynthesis, respiration, and fermentation. Photosynthesis is the process of plants converting light, CO2, and H2O to make food(glucose) and oxygen. We learned about this by making flow charts and having class discussions and using legos to help us. Respiration is the process of plants using food and oxygen to make food(glucose) and energy. We also learned about this by making flow charts, having class discussions, and using legos to help us. Fermentation is Anaerobic Respiration, or respiration without oxygen. We learned about this by conducting an experiment and realizing that the experiment we did dealt with fermentation. Knowing about these things are important because it's helpful to know about what goes on inside of plants.

We also discussed in class weather or not we can live without plants. We cannot live without plants because they are a vital part of our survival because they ultimately provide us with Air(O2) and food(glucose). This is an important concept to understand because we should know what's vital to our survival.

11/21/09 Blog!

This week in Science we learned and talked about many different things.

We learned about Prokaryotic cells and Eukaryotic cells. I learned that Plant and Animal cells falls into the Eukaryotic category and that Bacterium falls into the Prokaryotic category. Prokaryotic cells are simple, their DNA floats around, they have a membrane, and no nucleus. An example of a Prokaryote is E.Coli. Eukaryotic cells onthe other hand, are complex, their DNA is in their nucleus, and they have a membrane also. An example of a Eukaryote is a frog, and an example of a eukaryotic cell are Red Blood Cells. This is important so that we know how to correctly categorize cells.

We also learned about Photosynthesis and Respiration by discussing and doing research. Photosynthesis happens in the cell's chloroplast. The equation for photosynthesis is: C6H12O6. Respiration is basically 'the breathing' of cells. This is important to know because these words will commonly be used throughout our Science careers and it is important for us to know what they mean.

Finally, we talked about what plants need to survive, and came up with CO2, H2O, and Sunlight. To test this our group conducted a CO2 experiment involving providing one spinach leaf with CO2, but depriving the other. The independant variable in the experiment was the CO2. This is important because it allows us to prove our theories and grasp a better understanding of them.

11/5/09 Blog!

This week in Science, we learned about organelles and their functions. Here are some examples of organelles and their functions:

• Nucleus- The DNA- gives cells their own unique characteristics-found in both Plant and Animal Cells
• Vacuole- helps cells digest and release waste- found in both Plant and Animal Cells
• Cell Wall- Protective barrier, helps cells maintain shape- Plant cells have them, Animal Cells do not

To learn about the cells and their functions, we drew and labeled pictures of an Animal Cell and a Plant Cell. Also, we made a chart, making one column labeled Function, one labeled Organelle, and two check-boxes- one for Plant Cell and one for Animal Cell. We also made lists of 5 different types of Animal Cells, Plant Cells, and Bacteria Cells. This is important to know because cells are all around us.

We also learned about Paramecium by doing research and trying to find them under a microscope. Since paramecium are commonly found in moist areas, we observed a slide of pond water under a microscope and saw a small oval shaped organism racing around from side to side. It is important to know about Paramecium because although they are small they are also effective. Paramecium provide as food for other organisms and provide oxygen. So Paramecium make a big environmental impact.