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.

10/31/09 Blog

This week in science, we learned about plant and animal cells and their differences and similarities. We learned about them by making four slides: potatoe with blue stain; potatoe with with red stain; potatoe with non-stain; and grass. We then viewed each slide under both high and low magnification. I noticed that in all of the potatoe slides, in both high and low magnification, the cells are mainly made up of circles, small and large. The grass, however, did not have many circles in its structure. It is important to know about animal and plant cell structures because we are composed of and surrounded by them.
We also learned more about cells by learning about their structures and functions by discussing them with our class and doing some research, and finally making a chart:

• Structure-Function
• cytoplasm-holds everything in place
• nucleus-controls everything that goes on in the cell
• cell wall-protection, structure
• etc.

This is important to know because throughout our science careers we will constantly be dealing with cells. Also, we are surrounded by and composed of them.

Kt's 10/25/09 Blog!!!

*Just so you know, I was absent from school Thursday Oct. 22 and Friday Oct. 23*

This week we learned how to perform a Gram Test to determine if our chicken bacteria collected in the petri dish is gram positive or negative.
To learn about this Jillian and I conducted a gram test with Mr. Finley and another group. Some steps of the test include:

• Sterilize needle
• Put distilled water on slide
• Rub sterilized needle on agar
• Drop 5 drops of different chemicals on slides

Our test results were gram negative because it did not retain the crystal violet dye and turned pink. So, I believe the chicken could have had proteobacteria. Some types of proteobacteria include Salmonella and Shigella.
It is important to know how to conduct a gram test because throughout our future science carrers we will often have to know whether something is gram negative or gram positive.

This week in Science we also talked about different types of bacteria such as Tetrabacillus, Staphlyococci, and diplospirillum. We learned these by putting together parts that make up bacteria. For example, I could cocci on the end of diplo and get diplococci, meaning a pair of circular bacteria. This is extremely important to know in science because you must know these terms when identifying bacteria to know what you're looking at.