Mr. Gibson's Science Courses Web-Site

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Course Description:

      Biology I is a laboratory science course that investigates the relationship between structure and function from molecules to organisms and systems, the interdependence and interactions of biotic and abiotic components of the environment, and mechanisms that maintain continuity and lead to changes in populations over time. Students explore biological concepts through an inquiry approach. Embedded standards for Inquiry, Technology & Engineering, and Mathematics are taught in the context of the content standards for Cells, Interdependence, Flow of Matter and Energy, Heredity, and Biodiversity and Change.

      Recommended pre-requisites: Physical Science or Physical World Concepts, Chemistry

      Biology II is a laboratory science course in which students engage in an in-depth study of the principles of biology. This course emphasizes internal and external anatomical structures and their functions, the environmental interaction of organisms, processes of living things, mechanisms that maintain homeostasis, biodiversity, and changes in life forms over time. Students explore biological concepts through an inquiry approach. Embedded standards for Inquiry, Technology & Engineering, and Mathematics are taught in the context of the content standards for Cells, Interdependence, Flow of Matter and Energy, Heredity, Biodiversity and Change, Comparative Anatomy and Physiology, and Botany.

     Recommended pre-requisites: Biology I and Chemistry I

CA1011_Graphic Organizer_Domains & Kingdoms  This link will open a graphic organizer I developed for use for the reading assignment from today October 11th. Some of you made your own that were MUCH better!

The readings from pages 457 - 461 in the text will go with this.

Mr. Gibson

Hierarchy of Life Drag n Drop Exercise & Drill/Practice  By opening this link you can practice where the classifications are as they pertain to what we call the Hierarchy of Life in terms of interactive complexities.

There is also the "answer slide" right after your practice slide. Don't open the powerpoint in the "full view" mode if you wish to practice the "drag-n-drop" feature. 

Any questions let me know!

Mr. Gibson

Basic Structures & Types of Cells - A Basic Introduction  By clicking on this link you will find today's (Tuesday October 18th) classroom discussion and studies. There are also practice drills for you to test your notes for effectiveness.

Mr. Gibson

CA1024: Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes, & Organelles  This link will take you to our classroom discussions & lessons as we go further into Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells along with a more in-depth look at the organelles within a Eurkaryotic cell.

We will be looking at these structures in an upcoming lab... and... under the microscope there are no "labels". You'll have to familiarize yourself with them and know what they do in order to do well in the labs.

Mr. Gibson

A great Harvard University computer simulated movie that shows these interactions between the Eukaryote's organelles can be viewed here: http://blip.tv/atheism/the-inside-of-a-cell-840109 

I recommend a few viewings to appreciate the complexity and intricacy of the cell's inner workings.

U4: Core Constructs - Energy & the Sinusoidal Wave   This link will take you to the powerpoint regarding photons and their source for energy on Earth. The "S" wave or sinusoidal wave is a very good model to understand these "incoming" photons that are used by Earth's life.

The "parts" of the "S" wave are covered here. These will be followed immediately by the visible light spectrum and the energy frequencies associated with the colors within.

That powerpoint will be posted next.

Ultimately, we will look at autotrophs & photosynthesis in depth. We will also look at ALL cells (be they protists, unicellular organisms, or tissue cells of Eukaryotes) to see an odd phenomena as it relates to a cell's internal volume v. its surface area. This "ratio" actually is an indicator of a cell's maximum size before it must either divide (mitosis), reproduce (asexual or budding or fission), or die...

Mr. Gibson

U4: Cell Support - Energy & Mitosis - Part I (a) Sinusoidal Waves  The link provided here covers our review of the 2nd quarter's introduction into the "part" of the sinusoidal or "S" wave (water-wave). Here we looked again at the terms and definitions of those parts.

From here we will look at energy differences of sunlight's "white light" and how they will impact Plant-like protists as well as Plantae in terms of wavelengths, energy pyramids and photosynthesis.

You will also have a quick check quiz Q0102 sinusoidal wave parts as well as a "dry-lab" this week regarding key wavelengths interacting with a fluorescing pad (energy levels).

Mr. Gibson

L-0120: Visible Light Spectrum - Energy v. Amplitude   

undefined By clicking on this link you will open the MS Word document you need for you pre-lab write up as well as learning what you will need to do in this energy lab exercise.

Use sections of this document to copy & paste into the template you've opened already at my "Teacher's Page" link on my web-site.

Mr. Gibson

U4(b) - Energy & the Visible Light Spectrum - Color Bandwidths This link will take you to our class discussions and activities regarding the sun's visible light spectrum and its component colors- bandwidths. All of this will relate back to energy and the parts of the sinusoidal wave from our first part of this unit.

We will be using this information later when it comes to studying "auto-trophs" and then "heterotrophs" [as] they relate to energy capture & the Energy Pyramid.

Mr. Gibson

U4(c) - Limitations to the Size of Cells  This lesson will delve (investigate) into the reasons cells can only reach a certain size before they must either die or divide. This information will be the basis for our ensuing (following) lessons regarding Mitosis, Cytokinesis, Meiosis, Asexual Reproduction, and Budding constructs for single cells/protists.

Mr. Gibson