Quarter Two
Free Range Population Genetics: Before there was life on Earth there had to be a way to reproduce. Consider that without reproduction any form that resembled life would eventually die and disappear from the planet without a trace. Since life does reproduce and pass along varied traits, a varying environment may work in favor or against specific traits. If so, then populations must evolve over time. Here we begin our study with the interesting link between random generation, varied genetic inheritance and the groundbreaking work of Charles Robert Darwin.
During the Second Quarter: The year is divided into four sections (4 sec. = 4 Qtr = Go Figure). We'll first study the scientific process and the basic components of life. Then, as life exists in units called populations, we'll spend second quarter concentrating on genetic impacts on populations. As we return after Winter Break the third quarter will be spent concentrating on the natural history of animals. We finish the year with the biology of us.
So, without further verbiage, you will find below your Basic Biology Classroom Schedule for the 2017/18 school year categorized by semester. Week Beginning dates reflect the time of presentation and there will be notice of the assignments due. Follow the links provided to print any additional needed material, though you'll usually be provided a hard copy in class.
--Time and Tide waits for no man -- John Skot's "Everyman
Free Range Population Biology -- THMS Semester 1, Quarter 2 Synthesis, Transcription, Translation... A New Quarter
...and you're a walking glob of protein! If DNA is important, then it must be doing something important. Well, DNA is the blueprint for building just about everything,...that's all. The key to understanding this is to learn to diagram the processes that takes DNA information from within the cell nucleus and carrying in out into the cytoplasm where proteins are constructed. So, since you actually are a walking glob of proteins and DNA holds the information needed for construction of these proteins, this might be important,...ya think?
Here's a Vocabulary Companion for Mechanical Genetics.
AFT: Specifically Strand 4 (Life Science), Concept 2: Molecular Basis of HeredityLife's Chemistry at a very Basic Level Now what? How do protiens develop into the bodies we're familiar with. This section will require a trip back in time,...hopeully not too far back,...to a really basic review of really basic chemistry.
AFT: Specifically Strand 4 (Life Science), Concept 2: Molecular Basis of Heredity
Basic, Really Basic Cell Anatomy Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes, it's more then a grocery store decision (Humor here, eh?).
DNA had to precede actual life, but the two are inseparable on the current Earth. So, what is life? What does it look like and how do we define it?A Life of Science in the Mid-1800's,...Charles Darwin The life of Charles Darwin is a study of a quintessential scientist. His Theory of Evolution by means of Natural Selection is controversial is the American political realm, but holds little controversy in the field of science. Simply put: A population is a predictable entity. Biological populations that have Genetic Inheritance of a trait, Genetic Diversity for that trait, a Tendency to Overpopulate and suffers under a Struggle for Existence will go through a process called Natural Selection which will drive the evolution of the population over time. This is concept is linked to the idea of a common ancestor for all Earthly life.
The idea is elegant, eloquent and really quite simple.Basic, Really Basic Population Modeling -- Preditor/Prey Relationships
Charles Darwin and the Galapagos With Thanksgiving
The life of Charles Darwin is a study of a quintessential scientist. His Theory of Evolution by means of Natural Selection is controversial is the American political realm, but holds little controversy in the field of science. Simply put: A population is a predictable entity. Biological populations that have Genetic Inheritance of a trait, Genetic Diversity for that trait, a Tendency to Overpopulate and suffers under a Struggle for Existence will go through a process called Natural Selection which will drive the evolution of the population over time. This is concept is linked to the idea of a common ancestor for all Earthly life.
The idea is elegant, eloquent and really quite simple.Evolutionary Population Modeling II -- Survival and Reproduction Evolution is something we see every day. Like much in life that we don't understand, it is all around us and yet it goes unnoticed. So from Human disease to chilly hummingbirds we'll survey the general idea of Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution by means of Natural Selection. OK, So What do we Know and How do we Know it? An End of Semester Comprehensive Individual Examination Opportunity Here we'll begin with The End of the Second Quarter & Winter Break NOTE: This schedule is meant as a guide and is subject to change for reason or whim.
NOTE: In the never ending quest for informative teaching, there is a bit of Administrative "Flap-trap" (AFT) listed to let the "THMS Head-shed" in on my compliance with the Arizona State Standards for Science. So, you'll see a notation at the end of each week's listing that denotes the specific (or not so specific) part of the standards being covered in the classroom during the week. Also note that Strands 1 thru 3 are ongoing and continual.
Cross curricular standards dealing with non-sciencie-type subject matter, including mathematics, are not included.
Work Always in Progress
