Hey SBI4U students! Finally done marking and report cards. As I'm sure many of you would have predicted, most student's results on the exam were a little lower than term marks. In general the multiple choice were the lowest score while the application answers were the best done. Many of you took my advice and put lots of thought into those long answers. I read lots of connections to the course content and lots of good biological terms used correctly. In the end, some students marks dropped slightly, but a few were even raised!
I want to wish you all a safe and restful summer. I also want to wish our departing grads a wonderful post high school experience! It's been a pleasure teaching you all this past semester and I look forward to seeing some of you in the halls in September and the rest of you at commencement!
Cheers!

As you prepare for tomorrow's exam, here are the answers to the old exam that you may be doing for review.

Answers to SBI4U Old Exam Review

Today we reviewed natural selection and then went over different mechanisms for selection.

On Wednesday students wrote the homeostasis unit test.

Here is an outline for your SBI4U exam. It is a series of topics we studied this year. Use this as a framework to organize and prioritize your studying and study note preparation.

Outline for Exam June 2009

Today we continued to discuss Darwin's theory of natural selection. We viewed 3 excellent short videos from www.pbs.org.

Today we discussed Wednesday's unit test, we began to talk about evolution and the students spent most of the period working in the library on the analysis and evaluation of the sport's drink lab. The report for that lab is due no later than Friday this week.

Here is the second part of the unit review, it is on the nervous system. It's also posted under the class note section.

http://206.130.199.25/~jennross@fc.amdsb.ca/S0395BA9B.72/Homeostasis%20Review%20Nervous%20System.rtf

On Thursday and Friday students designed and performed the lab Do Sports Drinks Improve Reaction Times. The formal report on this lab is due next Friday (one per group).

On Monday and Tuesday students presented their homeostasis projects. On Tuesday we also discussed vision and eye anatomy. There is some independent learning assigned with the eye...see the autonomic nervous system and vision note for details.

A question was sent to me through the blog today. Do you need to include in-text citations in the report component of the homeostasis project? As with any research based project, there are times when you must cite within text. If what you are including is someone elses words or the results of their work (i.e., opinion, statistics, etc) then you MUST cite within text. If you think it is common knowledge then it is not necessary to cite it as long as you are not copying the wording...you are instead working the facts into your own constructed paragraphs. Hope this helps.

Today students dissected sheep brains. They used the rest of the class to answer the questions in the sheep brain dissection lab. This is due next Wednesday. Here are some excellent online sheep brain dissections that will help you with these questions:
http://www.exploratorium.edu/memory/braindissection/index.html

http://academic.scranton.edu/department/psych/sheep/

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2797710367349044411

http://www.hometrainingtools.com/articles/brain-dissection-project.html

On Thursday, we took up the synapse worksheet. We then went through the note on the Central Nervous System. Students filled out a chart on the functions of the parts of the brain. We also discussed the autonomic nervous system, and students copied the table from the textbook on the sympathic versus parasympathetic nervous systems.

On Wednesday, students had their final work period for the homeostasis project. Groups picked when they will present, either Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Today we took up the homework from yesterday. We then discussed how a nerve transmits an electrical impulse and how that impulse will "jump the gap", or cross the synapse between two neurons. Students were given a worksheet to label and were asked to read about this topic in their textbook. Bring any materials needed for working on the homeostasis project tomorrow.

Today we took up the menstrual cycle lab exercise. We then went over the first note on the nervous system. Students were given two handouts which need to be labeled. There are also some textbook questions to answer for homework.

Friday was the second work period for the homeostasis project. A small group of students were present for this class. A final period for working on this project will be provided on Wednesday and the projects will be presented on Monday and Tuesday of the following week.

Today was the first work period on the homeostasis project. Students picked their project topic and groups.

Today we took up the molecular genetics test. Then students worked on an activity involving matching glands, hormones, target organs, and actions. This activity kit will be made available to everyone tomorrow. Tomorrow, students will also begin working on researching their homeostasis case study project.

We had a very small class today, so the students were given time to finish answering the questions on the lab exercise on the menstrual cycle. This is homework if not done already. We then viewed an episode of the Nature of Things on hormones.

Here are some great online animations on the menstrual cycle:
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/Health/WomensHealth/zFlashAssets/menstrual_cycle_dw2%5B1%5D.swf

http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/ovarianuterine.html

http://health.howstuffworks.com/menstruation.htm

On Friday we took up Thursday's homework and then we went over the reproductive hormones, both male and female. We discussed the menstrual cycle and many questions were answered. The lab exercise on the menstrual cycle is homework. On Tuesday, many will be absent for soccer and the Canada's Wonderland trip. Check the blog to see what you will be missing. I will likely start the nervous system on Tuesday.
Have a great long weekend!

Today we discussed the adrenal glands, the pancreatic hormones, the thyroid and the parathyroid glands. Students completed filling out their tables on the glands and hormones and then began working on homework (see under the homework section for details). Tomorrow we will finish "Endocrine Note 2".

Today we began looking at the endocrine system. We discussed the system in general terms, hormones, and how protein and steroid hormones act differently at their target cells. Please read about these differences tonight and write yourself a short note on this. We then examined the pituitary gland and the 8 hormones it produces. Students were given a table to organize information in. If you were absent today, be sure to get that from me.
You will need endocrine note 2 for tomorrow's class.

On Tuesday we discussed some of the other roles of kidneys, including roles in water balance (ADH), blood pressure (aldosterone) and in maintaining blood pH (carbonic acid, bicarbonate buffer system). Students were given an independent learning assignment on kidney diseases and treatments. This material will appear on the future unit test.

On Monday we reviewed nephron anatomy and how they form urine. Students then dissected a pig kidney.

Today (Friday), I would like you to use the computer to view various animations and tutorials on urine formation. Try to understand the various processes involved and learn the names of the parts of the nephron. Here are some good animations and tutorials:
Animation 1
Animation 2
Animation 3
Also try searching youtube.com for other videos on urine formation and nephrons....there's lots!

Have a nice weekend. Be sure to keep up with textbook reading and homework questions....only 6 weeks left!

On Thursday we reviewed the content of Tuesday's class and then discussed the human excretory system, with an emphasis on the urinary system. There are a group of textbook questions to answer from this note.

Today students wrote the molecular genetics unit test. Absent students will write the test on Thursday. If you have a spare during the day, please come and write the test during your spare. If your spare is period 1, you must find me in room 228 before 8:55 am, after that I will be in room 141(tech hall). If you don't have a spare, you will write the test during class.

If any of you need some extra help tomorrow, I can be found in room 102 (gamer's club) during the first half of the lunch hour.

Today we began the homeostasis unit by discussing the first half of the first note posted for this unit. We'll go over these concepts again on Thursday. Remember that your molecular genetics unit is on Wednesday (TOMORROW!).

On Monday, the final two groups presented their mini-lessons. We then reviewed for Wednesday's test.

Here is a document with the answers to the two reviews that are posted on the blog.
ANSWERS

On Friday 3 groups presented their unit project. On Monday the remaining 2 groups will present. Please notice that there are some new notes posted on the blog for the next unit. You can print these now. A reminder, your unit test is on Wednesday....there are 2 reviews posted under the notes section. Have a nice weekend, enjoy the rain-free skies (April was the second most rainiest April on record!).

On Thursday, 2 groups presented their unit projects. Since we have gone long with today's presentations, it's become apparant that we'll need 2 more classes to finish all the groups presentations. Therefore, we will not be having the unit test on Monday, we will have it on Wednesday (many will be absent on Tuesday for soccer, so we can't have it then). On Friday, 2 or 3 more groups will present, depending on how long they are. On Monday the remaining groups will present.

On Wednesday, students attended an OSAP presentation and then worked on their presentations in the library.

OnTuesday students reviewed for the unit test by playing a Jeopardy review game.

Note: there is a DNA review and a review on protein synthesis and biotechnology under class notes. Answers are not available to you at this time, but they can be made available later in the week.

Today we finished discussing restriction enzymes and also went over methylases and DNA ligase as tools used in biotechnology. There are some textbook questions you should try related to this material before you do your test on Monday. Tomorrow is a review class on the whole unit. Wednesday is a work period so you can finish up your work on your project which will be presented on Thursday or Friday of this week. If you have any quesions about your project, please write to me using the Comment function of this blog. Simply click on comment under this post and I will post your question and reply to it here. Good luck soccer players....go Redmen!

On Friday, groups picked their order for presenting their mini-lessons next week. We then began going over the biotechnology note. We discussed restriction enzymes. This topic will continue on Monday. If you haven't already read section 6.1 in the text, you should!

On Thursday, the class completed the performance task on protein synthesis and mutations.

Today we went through the note called Chromosome Structure. There were 2 handouts to go with this note, so if you were absent be sure to get them from me. Students then worked on 2 worksheets: one on mutations, and one on general questions related to protein synthesis. Both these worksheets will help you prepare for Thursday's performance task. One of the worksheets is attached here: http://206.130.199.25/~jennross@fc.amdsb.ca/S0395BA9B.36/Genetics%20Challenge%20Worksheet.rtf
The other worksheet is attached here: http://206.130.199.25/~jennross@fc.amdsb.ca/S0395BA9B.67/Mutations%20Assign.pdf

We also want to assign dates for the class presentations. Your group will be presenting on either Wed, Thurs, or Friday of next week. Meet with your group members to decide which days work best for all of you (i.e., all members will be present). We also set a unit test date of Tuesday May 5. Have a nice day off. You can review protein synthesis, mutations, and chromosome structure for Thursday's performance task.

Today students discussed homework from last Wednesday on operons. We also discussed mutations. Students then explored some of the web activities from Zerobio.com. Tomorrow we will be going over the note called Chromosome Structure, so be sure to have it printed for then.

Both Thursday and Friday were research classes for the Molecular Genetics project. If anyone is having difficulties with this project or have any questions, please see me ASAP.

Today we reviewed the lac operon and then discussed the "trp operon". Finally, we briefly discussed mutations and students were assigned reading about mutations and forming your own note about them. It was suggested that students create a flowchart explaining the different types of mutations. Students were given time to work on the gene control worksheets, the textbook questions, or the mutations note. These should all be finished by Monday. You will have an open-book performance task on this material next Thursday.

On Tuesday, we took up textbook questions related to protein synthesis and we took up the Additional Lab Exercise: Determining the Sequence of Amino Acids in a Protein. We then began going through the note titled Gene Control in Prokaryotes. We discussed the "lac operon".

On Thursday, students went to the library to begin researching their biotechnology topic which will be presented to the class at the end of this unit. Please note, there are some new notes that can be printed.

Today, two groups presented their "dramatic representation" of DNA replication. The third group will present on Tuesday when, hopefully, the whole group will be present. The application project of this unit was then presented. Students formed groups of 4 and picked their topics. You will begin researching your topic tomorrow in the library. Students were then given an activity involving taking a small segment of DNA, transcribing it into mRNA, and then sequencing the polypeptide that would result from translation. This activity is due next Tuesday. There were also some textbook questions assigned at the end of the protein synthesis note that are due on Tuesday.
Have a very hoppy Easter! I'll be away with Envirothon tomorrow.

Today we went over protein synthesis. The note for this is attached on the blog. There's also an attached list of animations and tutorials of this process....I recommend you view a few of these.

On Monday, students worked on preparing their dramatic representation of DNA replication. These "plays" will be performed on Wednesday.

On Friday we went over DNA replication by viewing several online animations/tutorials. Students were given a worksheet on DNA replication that must be finished for homework. Finally, students were divided into 3 large groups and began to plan how to show DNA replication through a dramatic presentation. This will be worked on in Monday's class. If you haven't already printed off the Protein Synthesis note, you should do so now.

On Thursday, grade 10's wrote the OSSLT, so we didn't have class.

Today we began the new unit....Molecular Genetics. We discussed DNA structure and some of the important historical scientists and experiments that led to our understanding of DNA structure. Here's a link to the website that contained the DNA timeline.
http://www.dnai.org/timeline/index.html

Today students wrote the cell respiration and photosynthesis test. Absent students will write it tomorrow.

On Friday, we performed the Pigment Chromatography lab...we had so-so results.

On Thursday, we went through the Calvin Cycle of photosynthesis.

On Wednesday, we went through the light reactions of photosynthesis. There was no homework.

Today students completed a worksheet on anaerobic respiration. We then began looking at photosynthesis. First we viewed a "gizmo" on cell respiration and photosynthesis. We then went through Photosynthesis Note 1. There is one textbook question and a table to do for homework.

On Monday, we reviewed anaerobic respiration. Students then used the rest of the class to work in their learning teams to discuss textbook questions and worksheets related to anaerobic and aerobic cellular respiration.

Today students met in their learning teams and discussed the textbook questions related to aerobic cellular respiration. They then used the rest of class to work on a series of worksheets on cell respiration or on their "maps". The worksheets are due to be finished for the Monday back after the break, as well as the textbook questions related to anaerobic respiration (fermentation). Your cell respiration map will be due on the Friday at the end of the week back from the break.
Have a wonderful, safe and restful holiday!

Today students worked on their cell respiration maps and then we went over anaerobic respiration. Please have all the textbook questions related to aerobic cellular respiration done for homework for Friday. The question numbers are listed under current "homework" at the right.

Today we went through the electron transport chain and viewed several on-line animations of this process. This is a difficult part of cellular respiration to understand, so if you were absent today, you must be sure to read this section in the textbook and get extra help. Viewing the animations is also helpful. I can be available for a mini-lesson on this on Friday at lunch if there is enough interest. PS: there is a large group of textbook questions to do (they can be found at the end of the electron transport chain note). These will be discussed on Thursday.

Today we went over pyruvate oxidation and the Kreb's cycle. Here are some animations that will help you to understand the first 3 stages of cellular respiration.
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072507470/student_view0/chapter25/animation__how_glycolysis_works.html
http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/Bio231/glycolysis.html
http://www.wiley.com/legacy/college/boyer/0470003790/animations/tca/tca.htm
http://www.wiley.com/college/pratt/0471393878/student/animations/citric_acid_cycle/index.html
http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/Bio231/krebs.html

If you have Powerpoint on your home computer, here is a slideshow on cellular respiration that you may find useful. It contains a little more detail than you need to know for this course, but there are some good graphics to show the various pathways of cell resp.
Powerpoint slideshow

Please remember to print the cellular respiration notes for Monday.

Today the class wrote the biochemistry test. Absent students will write it on Monday. The four students who've been away all week will write it on Tuesday. The enzyme lab report is due on Monday. If you have any questions about it, please feel free to post me a comment through the blog. If you'd like to provide your e-mail address I can write you directly, otherwise I will post an answer through the blog as a comment. Have a great weekend!

Today we decided to have the test in tomorrow's class....half the class was absent today. So, be ready to write the test in class Friday. Instead of the test, we went through the first note related to cellular respiration (Cellular Respiration Overview). We also went through the first stage of cellular respiration, glycolysis. Please note that all the notes related to cellular respiration are posted now. You should print these before Monday's class. Happy studying!

Here are the answers to the two sample tests that you may be doing as a review for Thursday's test.
Biochem test answers
Energy and enzymes test answers

Today we discussed the answers to the 3-D molecules lab. Students were then given time to either study for tomorrow's test or to work on the enzyme lab report. The data tables for that lab are now posted here on the blog.

Here's a link to a "kid's" graphing site. You can create line graphs using this site.
Graphing site

Here are the data tables for the enzyme activity lab.
Data Tables
The completed lab report is due on Monday. Remember, when graphing this data under the "Analysis" section, the independent variable goes on the x-axis and reaction time, or reaction rate, goes on the y-axis.

Today students performed the enzyme lab. Tomorrow, students can choose to either work on writing up the lab report, or study for Thursday's test.

On Monday, students wrote their design and procedure for their assigned part of the Enzyme Lab. The lab will be performed on Tuesday. The lab report for this is now due next Monday, March 9th.

On Friday, students presented their "expert" groups summaries of their assigned enzyme topic. All students copied these summaries. We began planning the enzyme lab. Groups were assigned.

Note: There are two old tests attached under class notes. You can do these as a review in preparation for your test which is next Thursday.

Today we finished talking about energy in living systems. We went over some reaction types that are relevant in biology. It's important that you read the textbook for this section of the unit. There are also some textbook questions to answer in preparation for next week's test. We then began a "jig-saw" activity on Enzymes. This will continue tomorrow when the "experts" present what they've learned to their home groups. For homework, please also read the lab on pages 82-83 and page 762 in your texts. Here is a link to a page showing links to on-line animations/tutorials on enzmes...they can be very helpful when learning something new and abstract like this. Enzyme animations and tutorials

On Wednesday, we discussed old homework (textbook questions) and then we went over the energy notes. Students were asked to create a concept map on terms related to energy in living systems.

Here are some good YouTube videos by a teacher of biology from the US.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwDy4rUU5Xw Carb's Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeMUQnAme5E&feature=related Carb's Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFRP1tau8HM Lipids

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUVIHmO-lm8&feature=related Proteins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lUAjoMWtDA Energy and Laws of Thermodynamics

Please remember to bring your 3-D Molecules Lab to class on Tuesday. We will finially finish it!

Students worked on finishing their application research report. This report is due tomorrow.

Happy snow day #2! Hopefully, you are using this time to do some biology....

You will still have a library period on Monday. The intent of that period is to get help with referencing, structuring your report, or typing up your good copy. So, by Monday's class, you should NOT still be doing research on your topic. Remember that Ebsco Host can be accessed from the school website and google books and google images from google (google images will give you an illustration of your molecule). If you haven't already created an outline for your report, this should be done now. You may want to think of this as a 5 paragraph information report. You have practiced this type of writing in other classes and on the grade 10 literacy test (remember???). It's OK to insert pictures in your report, just be sure to reference them. Also, be sure to show me a couple of "in-text citations" so I know that you know how to do this. Your list of reference should be alphabetized by author's last name and comes at the end of your report. You can use the link on the blog to citationmachine.net to help you with APA style of referencing. Please feel free to write me by posting a comment to this post. It will go to my e-mail and I can respond to your comment through the blog. Or, you can provide me your e-mail address in your comment and I can write to you directly.
Finally, we will finish (once and for all!) the 3-D molecules lab on Tuesday and discuss all the textbook questions then. Phew! Hopefully we will have school next week!
Enjoy your time off school, but remember to take advantage of this time to get your school work done. Then you can really enjoy your weekend!

Good morning and happy snow day! I'm at school, so if you live in town and want to come in for extra help, I'll be in room 228 except over the lunch hour.
Tomorrow we will finish the 3-D molecules lab and then you will be discussing the large number of textbook questions that were for homework for about a week now. You will be doing this in your learning teams. If you can't remember what was assigned, check under the homework section next to these posts.
If you are finished all work in this class and are looking for something to do today, please feel free to read about An Introduction To Metabolism (pp. 58-68). You can also work on your unit 1 research report, which is due next week. I've booked the library for Monday so you can write your good copy then, or get help with referencing. You should have all your research and a rough copy done by Monday morning. See you tomorrow!

Today we worked through part 2 of the Biological Molecules in 3-D. We are almost finished...we'll finish it tomorrow in class and it will be due for handing in at that point. Feel free to work on it tonight. Also tomorrow, you will be discussing the large number of textbook homework questions from last week. So, make sure you have these done...don't let your learning team down!
Please note, there are a few new class notes posted at the right under "Class Notes". You may want to print them now. We will begin working with these on Friday.

Sorry I can't be there today for your research class. Be sure to read the Saturday post regarding the 3-D molecule lab and the research report (it is now due next Tuesday). We will still complete the lab tomorrow in class and it will be due on Thursday. Use today's class to get some good research done on your chosen molecule. Remember to try searching Ebsco host and Google books. Ask Mr. Whyte for help if you need it. See you tomorrow.

Hello SBI4U students....first, let me apologize for the chaos of yesterday's class. I had checked one computer in 232 to be sure the 3-D molecule lab was still working in there, and that computer was working. I assumed the rest would be fine. I guess when that room was renovated, the programs on the computers were also changed. As a result, we will try to complete part 2 of the 3-D molecules lab in class on Wednesday using the Smart Board. So, this lab will not be due until Thursday of next week. We will still have a work period on Tuesday for your unit 1 research project which is due the following week. If you have not completed the long list of textbook questions that were assigned last week, that should be done this weekend. Have a nice long weekend!

Today students completed part 1 of the Biological Molecules in 3-D lab. Part 2 will be completed tomorrow in the computer lab. The answers to the lab are due on Tuesday. By the way, your second research class for the unit 1 application project will be next Tuesday. Due to the fog day and assemblies next week, I'm rescheduling the due date for the project....it is now due on Tuesday Feb. 23rd.

Happy fog day grade 12's! I'm here at school, so if you want to come in for extra help, I'll be in and out of room 228 all day. We will need to put off our 3-D molecules lab until tomorrow and Friday. Part 1 (model building) will happen on Thursday and Part 2 (the computer part) will happen on Friday. The lab will be due for handing in on Tuesday. We will have our second project research class on Tuesday. Have a nice day!

Today we finished discussing proteins and then nucleic acids. There is a large number of questions to answer for homework, but you can spread this work out over the next few nights.

Today we took up the carb and lipid homework from last Thursday. We then reviewed carbs and lipids. Finally, we discussed proteins. There is no homework tonight, but I do recommend that you read about protiens in your textbook.

Here are some useful animations/tutorials on the macromolecules:
http://bcs.whfreeman.com/thelifewire/content/chp03/0302002.html (animation)
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/biochemistry/problem_sets/large_molecules/02Q.html (this is a quiz with a tutorial)
YouTube videos on all the macromolecules
Carbs Part 1
Carbs Part 2
Lipids
Proteins

Friday was a research class for the unit 1 application project. If you were absent, be sure to let me know which molecule you are researching. Remember, this report is due in two weeks (the 20th). Have a great weekend!

Today we discussed the unit 1 application project that we will begin working on tomorrow. We then went over carbohydrates and lipids. There are a collection of textbook questions to answer for homework...due Monday. Research class tomorrow.

Today we went over acids, bases, the pH scale and buffers. We focused on the bicarbonate-carbonic acid blood buffer system. We then began a study of the macromolecules. We discussed some common functional groups and carbohydrates. This will continue tomorrow. Here is a link to a site I will be using tomorrow. It shows the relevant structures.
http://www.abbysenior.com/biology/bio.molecules_3.htm

Today we began by discussing last night's homework. We then went through the "Biochem 2" note. Topics discussed included molecular shapes and polarity, intermolecular forces, hydrophobicity and the unique properties of water. There is homework tonight. For details see under the Homework heading next to these posts.

Today we started the "Biochem" portion of the first unit, Metabolic Processes, of the course. We reviewed some basic chemistry concepts and terms and then disscussed isotopes and radioisotopes. We then went over how to determine types of chemical bonds based on electronegativities. There is reading and questions for homework. These will be discussed tomorrow. Homework is listed in the right side bar.

Here's some help with the chemistry stuff in this first unit. Some of you may need to do some extra work during this section in order to understand the chemistry component.
Molecular Shapes Note
Molecular Polarity Tutorial
Powerpoint on Molecular Bonding
chem4kids

Over the weekend, please read pages 8-16 in your textbook. Also, if you are reading this blog and you were absent on Friday, please go to the previous post and open the link for the learning styles questionaire. Please complete this questionaire and print out your results. Bring this sheet to me on Monday. You should also open the description of the learning styles and use your results to compile a list of learning strategies that work for your strengths.

During the first class, the course information sheet will be discussed. This sheet can be downloaded here. Students will also complete a learning styles questionaire and evaluate their own learning style in order to create an individual learning plan. This questionaire can be linked to here and a description of the various learning styles can be found here. Be sure to download and print the biochem notes for Monday.

Welcome to the SBI4U course blog. Over the course of this semester you will find valuable information and resources on this blog. It is important that you regularly check the blog for any missed work, important dates, course notes, and other useful documents and links. I work hard to maintain the information in this blog, so please make good use of it. Feel free to contact me, either by including your name, or anonymously, through the blog comment function.