Journals – Spring 2014

Journal Entry 1/28• Write three goals you have for this class and/or this

school year. Beneath each goal, write 1-3 steps you will take to MAKE THE GOAL HAPPEN.

• Example: Goal I want to make an A or a B in this class.Steps: 1. I will do ALL of my homework each night.2. I will study 20 minutes EVERY OTHER NIGHT to

prepare for biology tests (includes making flashcards for vocab.)

3. I will ask questions during the notes if I don’t understand.

Bio Journal 1/31

From the list below, write down the things that you think are considered “living”.

Explain your thinking. What “rule” or reasoning did you use to decide if something could be considered living?

Tree rock fire fossil butterfly mushroom boy wind rabbit cloud molecule feather grass seed egg bacteria sun potato leaf cell

Journal Monday 2/3: Functions of Living Things

• Which functions are performed by plants, animals, or both? Make a simple chart to classify these functions:– Photosynthesis (make food) – Acquire and take in food from the environment– Respiration (release energy from food)– Cell Division– Reproduction– Elimination of waste products– Maintain a stable internal environment– Transport of materials within the organism– Response to stimuli

Journal 2/4– Basic Chemistry• Paste the Chemistry notes notebook

(if you are absent, you need to see me to get the page!!)

• *be sure to put pH scale into your notes see a classmate for items to place on the scale

0 147

Acids Bases

Where can we find the strongest acids? The strongest bases?

Journal 2/4– Basic Chemistry

Journal 2/6• In your journal, write a reflection regarding your work and

performance in Module 1. Consider the following:

– Did you complete all assigned work to the BEST of your ability?

– Were you in class every day? If you were and your grades are NOT what you want, why might this be?

– Do you have a good attitude about learning the material in this class? Are you keeping a positive outlook?

– How do you feel about your quiz grade? Does it reflect the time/effort you put in to learning this material?

Journal 2/7ORGANIC COMPOUND ELEMENTS SUBUNIT (BUILDING

BLOCK)IMPORTANCE/FUNCTION

CARBOHYDRATES

LIPIDS

Journal 2/10

• 1. Write a definition for the following term in your own words: Buffer

• 2. Use the word in a sentence.• 3. Draw a picture to represent the term.

Journal 2/17ORGANIC COMPOUND ELEMENTS SUBUNIT (BUILDING

BLOCK)IMPORTANCE/FUNCTION

NUCLEIC ACIDS

PROTEINS

Journal 2/20• In your journal, write a reflection of your

performance in Module 2, considering the following questions:– Did you complete all assigned work to the BEST of your

ability? – Are you doing all you can to reach the goals you set for

yourself? – Were you in class every day? – Do you have a good attitude about learning the material in

this class? – How do you feel about your Quiz/Test grades?

Journal 2/24• Match the following statements to the

correct cell type (yes, you have to write it all!)

• __ Lacks a nucleus • __ Has ribosomes• __ Has plasmids• __ Plant and animal cells• __ Bacteria• __ Has a cell membrane

• A. Prokaryotic• B. Eukaryotic• C. Both

Journal 2/26: Membrane• 1. Write the definition for the following term:– Selectively Permeable: the ability of a membrane to allow

some materials through while blocking the passage of others

• 2. Explain the function of the cell/plasma membrane in your own words.

• 3. Finally, draw a detailed picture of the plasma membrane and label it (Handbook p.28).

Journal Entry 3/5: Osmosis

Answer the following question:• WHY do we study osmosis? (How is

osmosis important to living things?)• What happens to a cell if too much water

rushes in?• What happens to a cell if too much water

rushes out?

Egg Demo 3/11• PASTE the handout “What Limits the Size of

Cells” in your journal.• Use the textbook to answer the pre-lab

questions.• After I show you the demonstration, complete

the data table and analysis.

Journal 3/12 Module 4 Reflection

• Based on your recent progress report and Module 4 exam grade, do you feel you have mastered the material?

• Why do you think you earned the grade that you did on your exam?

• Why do you feel learning this material is important (and do NOT say “IDK” or “it’s not”)

• How are you going to improve your grade before the end of the quarter in one month?

Journal 3/21: DNA Replication

Write the following definition: –DNA Replication – the process of DNA making an exact copy of itself, just before cell division occurs; results in doubled chromosomes

• Write a definition for DNA replication IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

• Draw a picture that represents DNA replication

Entry – DNA Structure 3/24

1. What IS DNA??? Answer this question in a complete sentence, in your own words.

2. Complete the following information about DNA: • The subunit of DNA - ____________• The 3 parts of a nucleotide - _______________• The 4 nitrogen bases - ____________________• The number of different nucleotides possible - _______• The “sides” of the DNA ladder - _____ and _______• The rungs of the DNA ladder - _______________• The type of bond that connects nitrogen bases ______

YES YOU HAVE TO WRITE IT

ALL!

Journal 3/28: Mid-Term reflection • List 2 things that you think you are doing right or are proud of in Biology

class.• List 2 things that you feel you could improve on to increase your level of

success in Biology class.• Write out and complete the following sentence: One word that describes

my feelings about my achievement in biology class is _________, because ________________________________.

• Write out one GOAL that you will set for yourself for the next 4 weeks of Biology class. A goal should be set for something that you desire to improve upon, regardless of your level of achievement!

Journal 4/3: Genetic Engineering

• Write the definition for the following term. Genetic Engineering – modifying DNA to produce a

transgenic organism, or to replace a defective gene with a functioning gene

• Now write a definition in your own words.• Finally draw a picture (or give an example) of

the term.

Journal 4/7: Genotype vs. Phenotype

• Write the definition for the following terms – Genotype: the genetic makeup of an organism– Phenotype: physical characteristics of an organism

• Now write a definition in your own words.• Finally draw a picture or give an example of

each of the terms

Journal 4/8: Monohybrid Crosses

• WRITE OUT THE QUESTION and complete the following monohybrid cross.– In Martians, having 3 eyes is dominant and having 2 eyes is

recessive. Show a cross between Marty Martin who is heterozygous for 3 eyes, and his wife Marilyn Martian who has only 2 eyes.

• WRITE OUT AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:– What is the probability that their kids will have 3 eyes?– What is the probability that their kids will have 2 eyes?

Journal 4/21 - Pedigrees• Write the definition for the following terms. – Pedigree – a graphical representation of the inheritance of

a trait in a family• Now write a definition in your own words.• Draw the following pedigree for cystic fibrosis – an autosomal

recessive trait. LABEL THE NAMES AND GENOTYPES.Ashley and Alex are a married couple and both are healthy. They have 3 children – Dan, Brooke, and Katie. Dan and Brooke are normal and healthy, but Katie tested positive at birth for CF. Dan married Sabrina (who is also normal), but their child Jonathan has CF.

Journal 4/23: Karyotypes

• Write the definition for the following terms. – Karyotype: photographs of chromosomes,

grouped by pairs; can be used to determine gender and in the diagnosis of certain genetic disorders

• Now write a definition in your own words.• Finally draw a picture (or give an example) the

term.

Journal Entry 4/25 - Reflection

• Please reflect on your learning in Biology for Quarter 4 (so far).– 1. Write one complete sentence about your Work: are you

doing it to the best of your ability? – 2. Write one complete sentence about Assignments: are you

doing ALL assigned work to the best of your ability?– 3. Write one complete sentence about Attendance– 4. Write one complete sentence about Attitude– 5. Write one complete sentence about Assessments (tests)

Journal Entry 4/28 - Is it Fitter?

Natural selection is sometimes described as “survival of the fittest”. Four friends were arguing about what the phrase “survival of the fittest” means. This is what they said:– Dora: “I think ‘fit’ means bigger and stronger”– Lance: “I think ‘fit’ means more apt to reproduce”– Felix: “I think ‘fit’ means able to run faster”– Hap: “I think ‘fit’ means more intelligent”

• Write out the statement of the person you most agree with. EXPLAIN what you think “survival of the fittest” means.

• Define the term “adaptation”. • How do adaptations relate to survival of the fittest?