Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Hello Scholars!

We have our Living Things Unit Test this Thursday (Honors) and Friday (AVID). Make sure you complete the study guide that was given out for homework. It counts as a DOUBLE HOMEWORK GRADE because it is a large assignment.

The top of the study guide says to complete some questions in the book on page 32-33, we will do this in class to help review before the test!!


Here is all the info you could possibly need to study :)

Go to this website to review Domains and Kingdoms: http://www.williamsclass.com/SixthScienceWork/Classification/ClassificationNotes/ClassificationNotes.htm

http://quizlet.com/8972245/classifying-organisms-notes-flash-cards/

Google a topic you are uncertain about and the word "Quizlet" for even more study help!



 Lesson Objectives
·        List the characteristics all living things share.
·        Identify what all living things need to survive.

New Standards
·        S2a: Structure and function in living systems, such as the complementary nature of structure and function in cells, organs, tissues, organ systems, whole organisms, and ecosystems.
·        S2e: Evolution, diversity, and adaptation of organisms, such as common ancestry, speciation, adaptation, variation, and extinction.
·        S3b: Earth’s history, such as Earth processes including erosion and movement of plates; change over time and fossil evidence.



Characteristics of Living Things
·        All living things have a cellular organization, contain similar chemicals, use energy, grow and develop, respond to their surroundings, and reproduce.
·        Cell – The basic unit of structure and function in an organism.
·        Unicellular – Organism composed of a single cell.
·        Multicellular – Organisms composed of many cells.
·        The most abundant chemical in cells is water.
·        Carbohydrates are a cell’s energy source.
·        Proteins and lipids are the building materials of cells.
·        Nucleic acids are the genetic material or the chemical instructions that direct the cell’s activities.




What Cells Do
The cells of organisms use energy to do what living things must do, such as grow and repair injured parts.
Growth is the process of becoming larger.
Development is the process of change that occurs during an organism’s life to produce a more complex organism.
All organisms react to changes in their environment.
A change in the organism’s surroundings that causes the organism to react is called a stimulus.
An organism reacts to a stimulus with a response – an action or change in behavior.
To reproduce is to produce offspring that are similar to the parents.


It’s Alive!
Spontaneous Generation: A mistaken idea that living things arise from nonliving sources.
Controlled Experiment: Two tests that are identical in every respect except for one factor.
Variable: The one factor that a scientist changes in a controlled experiment.
Living things must satisfy their basic needs for energy, water, living space, and stable internal conditions.
Autotrophs: Organisms that make their own food.
Heterotrophs: Organisms that cannot make their own food.
Homeostasis: The maintenance of stable internal conditions despite changes in the surroundings.

Quiz Topics


  • Review definitions & notes.
  • What characteristics do all living things share?
  • What do living things need to survive?

Homework


Section 1 Review page 23.

Check out these sites for further information:



Life’s Chemicals
First life forms probably develop from nonliving materials.
Experiments of Redi and Pasteur demonstrated that proteins can be formed from nonliving chemicals.


Bacteria to PlantsNotes 1.2 Classifying Organisms

Use this website: http://www.nomeschools.com/~acsa/documents/BacteriatoPlantsnotes1.2classifyingorganisms.pdf


Why Do Scientists Classify?
Scientists classify organisms based on similarities they have with one another, so that they are easier to study.
Classification is the process of grouping things based on their similarities.
Taxonomy is the scientific study of how living things are classified. The Naming System of Linnaeus
In the 1750’s, Carolus Linnaeus developed a system for classifying living organisms that is still used today. We call this system of naming, binomial nomenclature. “bi”- two, “nomial”- name.
Genus & Species
The first word in an organism’s scientific name is its genus.

The genus of an animal is a grouping of animals based on similar characteristics.
Example: Cougars and house cats belong to the genus Felis and share the characteristics of sharp, retractable claws,
and hunting behaviors.
The species of an organism indicates that any animal in this group can mate and reproduce with one another, and that their offspring can as well.
Example: House cats can only reproduce with one another and are in the species, “dometicus.” They cannot reproduce with cougars which are in the species, “concolor.”
Using Binomial Nomenclature
A scientific name is always italicized and the first word is capitalized. Most of the names are based on the Latin language.
Scientific names are used by scientists, so that everyone in the world calls it by the same name.
page1image14456 page1image14616 page1image14776 page1image14936
Example: A ground hog (common name) is also known as a
woodchuck, whistlepig, etc. It’s scientific name is Marmota monax.
Levels of Classification
The Major Levels of Classification

Organisms are classified in categories from broad groups into more specific groups.
Broadest Group with the most organisms Domain
Kingdom Phylum
Class
Order

Family Genus
Species Most specific group , only one type of organism
You can remember the order of the classification system by using the sentence...
Did King Philip Come Over For Green Salad? Taxonomic Keys
Taxonomic keys are used to identify organisms, based on their characteristics.
A taxonomic key is made up of a series of paired statements that describe physical characteristics.
Evolution and Classification
In 1859, Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution, based on the physical characteristics of organisms and how he thought they changed over time.
Darwin’s Theory
Darwin began putting together his theory after he collected data on his visit to the Galapagos Islands. Darwin noticed that finches from different islands
had slightly different beaks. He proposed that their beaks had changed to adapt to different food sources. He proposed that over time, they had evolved into different species that could not reproduce with one another.
page2image13328 page2image13488 page2image13648 page2image13808 page2image13968
He called this gradual change in a species over time, evolution. Classification Today
The classification of organisms has been influenced by the theory of evolution. When classifying organisms, scientists take into account a species’ ancestors.
Species with similar evolutionary histories are classified more closely together.
Determining Evolutionary History
Scientists not only rely on similarities in the structures of an organism, they look at the chemical make up of their cells. The more related two species are, the more the chemical make up is similar.
New Information
New information gained by scientists from looking at the chemical make up of organisms has caused them to change some classifications.
Example: Skunks and weasels used to be in the same family. Now, each one has its own family name, based on chemical differences.
page3image8432 




Important Ideas
·       Plants are autotrophs, organisms that produce their own food. 
·       All plants are eukaryotes, organisms with cells that contain nuclei and other cell structures.
·       Photosynthesis: Process by which plants make food…Plants use sunlight as energy, carbon dioxide gas and water to make food and oxygen.
·       Cell Wall: a boundary that surrounds the cell membrane and separates the cell from the environment.
·       Nucleus: A cell structure containing the DNA of a plant cell.
·       Cellulose: Chemical that makes cell walls rigid.
·       Chloroplasts: Cell structures in which food is make.
·       Chlorophyll: The green pigment in chloroplasts.
·       Vacuole: A large, sack-like storage area for water, wastes, and food.
Tissues: Groups of similar cells that perform a specific function in an organism.

For plants to survive on land, they must have ways to obtain water and other materials from their surroundings, retain water, transport materials throughout the plant, support their bodies, and reproduce successfully.
·       Cuticle: Covers the leaves of most plants to reduce water loss to the air.
·       Water and minerals are taken up by the bottom part of the plant…food is made in the top part.
·       Vascular Tissue: Internal system of tube-like structures through which water and food move inside the plant.  Vascular tissue also strengthens and supports the large bodies of the plant.


All plants undergo sexual reproduction.
·       Fertilization: occurs when a sperm cell unites with an egg cell.
·       Zygote: The fertilized egg, the first cell of an organism.
·       Sporophyte: One stage of a plant’s life cycle in which it produces spores, the tiny cells that can grow in to new organisms.
·       Gametophyte: Another stage of a plant’s life cycle in which it produces two kinds of sex cells or gametes.
·       Gametes: Sperm cells and egg cells.


Quiz Topics


  • Review definitions & notes.
  • Parts of a plant cell.
  • Reproductive cycle of a plant.
  •  

Homework


Section 1 Review page 117 1-4.

Check out these sites for further information:




Section 2: Photosynthesis and Light
Lesson Objectives
·       Explain what happens when light strikes a green leaf.
·       Describe the overall process of photosynthesis.

New Standards
S2a: Structure and function of living systems such as the complementary nature of structure and function in cells, organs, tissues, organ systems, whole organisms, and ecosystems.
S1c: Transfer of energy, such as transformation of energy as heat; light, mechanical motion, and sound; and the nature of a chemical reaction.


White light is made up of seven colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
Visible Spectrum:  Those colors of light that are visible to the human eye.
Transparent Materials: Allow light to pass through them.
Shiny surfaces reflect light.
Opaque Objects reflect some colors of the visible spectrum while they absorb other colors.



When light strikes the green leaves of a plant, most of the green part of the spectrum is reflected.  Most of the other colors of light are absorbed.
Chlorophyll, the most abundant pigment in plants, absorbs most of the blue and red light.
Green light is reflected and makes plants appear green.
Accessory pigments include yellow orange, and red; which absorb colors of light that chlorophyll does not.
Accessory pigments become visible when cool temperatures break down the chlorophyll and produce the beautiful orange, red, and yellow colors of fall leaves.

Photosynthesis begins when light strikes the chlorophyll in the chloroplasts of the plant’s cells.
Plants use carbon dioxide gas and water as raw materials for photosynthesis.
Carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil combine to produce sugar, a type of carbohydrate and oxygen gas.

Carbon Dioxide + Water   Ã        Sugar    + Oxygen
CO           + H2O    Ã   C6H12O6 +    O2
Carbon Dioxide and water combine in the presence of light to produce sugar and oxygen.
Excess food is stored by the plants in their roots, stems, or leaves.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Flu Prevention Homework

Due Wednesday Jan 16 for honors students


Now that you have learned about flu prevention I want you to put your knowledge into practice
Pretend you have been hired by the government to make a flu prevention pamphlet.
Be creative
Provide useful information


Here are some examples of pamphlets about health!





Thursday, January 10, 2013

Quiz Information!!


The quiz will be Monday for Honors and Tuesday for AVID. You may use your study guides during the test.  

Work hard! Science in a difficult subject that cannot be simply known, it must be learned.  Write the information down, read it and re-read it. Practice using keywords in sentences. Write those sentences down. Draw pictures of the concepts we learned. Most importantly, enjoy the process of learning!

Define these terms:
Organism
Unicellular
Prokaryote
Nucleus
Eukaryote
Binomial nomenclature
Autotroph
Heterotroph
Spontaneous generation


Explain these concepts:
6 characteristics of life
3 domains
4 kingdoms of eukarya
Redi and Pasteur experiments
What is needed to sustain life (water food, homeostasis, living space)
Levels of classification



Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Extra Credit for AVID


AVID students have an extra credit opportunity!  Finish this assignment by the end of the week for extra credit in Science class.

You can download the extra credit assignment by going to our class dropbox.  Here is the information for getting the Science Fair Packet:

1. Go to www.dropbox.com
2. Login using this infomration: username = cecilia.bonaduce@pgcps.org password = falcon pride
3. Download the file called "Identify Variables and Controls"



Sunday, January 6, 2013

Drew Science Fair Information

The Drew Freeman Middle School Science Fair is fast approaching!  All students are required to complete the Science Fair packet on January 30th (Honors) and January 31st (AVID).

The final projects (display boards) are due Feb 11th Honors and Feb 12th AVID.

All students have received a Science Fair Packet already.  If you lose or cannot find your copy you are responsible for printing out a new copy. Remember: all students are required to complete this packet and turn it in on January 30th/31st.

You can download the Science Fair Packet by going to our class dropbox.  Here is the information for getting the Science Fair Packet:

1. Go to www.dropbox.com
2. Login using this infomration: username = cecilia.bonaduce@pgcps.org password = falcon pride
3. Download the file called "DFMS Science Fair Packet"





Thursday, January 3, 2013

Classification Chart Homework is now extra credit

Science Honors MOD 4/5 your homework to choose your favorite animal and make a classification chart will now be considered extra credit if you turn it in tomorrow.

If you would like to research your favorite animal include the:

Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species


Monday, December 10, 2012

Class Dojo Parent Letter

Get your parent letter signed and bring it back to class!

You need a parent signature and their email address in order to get full credit for the assignment.



Below you will find a copy of the letter I sent home to your parents.  

Team Michigan due date: 12/12
Team Howard due date: 12/13




----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Dear Parent or Guardian,

I wanted to write home today to tell you about ClassDojo, a new teacher tool I will be using in Science class to help build your student’s learning habits and boost classroom engagement.

ClassDojo allows me to track student behavior and learning skills throughout the day!   

One of the great features of ClassDojo is that it allows me to send you a “behavior and skills report” every Friday by email.  My hope is that this will bring you and me closer together and help you better understand the progress of your student on a week to week basis.                             

For homework tonight I’ve asked your student to have you fill out this form so I can get your email address.  Thank you very much!

Best wishes,
Cecilia Bonaduce

Student name: _______________________________________

Parent name: _______________________________________

Parent email address: ___________________________________

Parent signature ____________________________________