Sunday, December 6, 2015

Photosynthesis Virtual Lab

This is just an image... read the rest of the post to find the virtual lab.

In this lab you will be using a computer simulation to test out different variables to see how they affect the rate of photosynthesis.
En este laboratorio va a utilizar una simulación por ordenador para probar diferentes variables para ver cómo afectan a la tasa de fotosíntesis.

The virtual lab is here.

Use the handout to keep track of your experiments and your data.
Utilice el folleto para mantener un registro de sus experimentos y sus datos. 

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Identifying Microorganisms

In this activity you will use MULTIPLE websites to try to identify some of the microorganisms you are observing in your sample of pond water. 
This is just a picture... you can get ideas from it, but you need to use the websites below to try to identify what you see in your pond water. 
Use the following websites to help you identify as many of the organisms you can see in our pond water sample as possible. Draw detailed diagrams of the organisms you see and draw a comparison diagram from one of the websites.

You MUST try to identify the organisms you see in your water sample by using the images and descriptions you find on the websites. Take a look at several of the websites before you decide what you think the organisms are.

Pond Water Critters ID page

Pond Life ID kit

Virtual Pond Dip


Once you think you've identified a microorganism you may search for other images or videos of it online to confirm your identification.

For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmwN_mD7TvY 
and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocv67Px49AA&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL3900A98EEBD72DC2

Also try to identify any organelles you can in the microorganisms you observe. You may see nuclei or flagella or other organelles.
Flash Animation of Cells to DNA – Compares Eukaryotic cells to bacteria and zooms from chromosomes to chromatin to dna.

Cell Size and Scale - interactive
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/cells/scale/

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Experimental Design

(Para la traducción española por favor ver más abajo .)

Scientists gain knowledge and understanding about the world in many ways, but one of the most powerful is by doing experiments.

An experiment tests a hypothesis and attempts to figure out a cause/effect relationship. A few key terms are important to understand when discussing experiments. 

Take notes on the following terms in your biology spiral notebook. 


Independent variable = The factor in an experiment which the scientist manipulates (changes) to see if it causes a change in the dependent variable.

Dependent variable = The factor in an experiment which the scientist measures to see if it is changed or affected by the presence or amount of the independent variable.

Constants = The aspects of the experiment which the scientist keeps unchanged so the only thing that might affect the dependent variable is the independent variable.

Experimental Group (s) = The group or groups of subjects in an experiment that are manipulated by the independent variable to see if it has an effect.

Control Group = The group of subjects in an experiment that left in its “normal” condition, so we can compare the experimental group(s) to it to see if the experimental group(s) were affected by the independent variable.

A great way to know if you understand new terms is to see if you can apply them to an example.

EXAMPLE:
Mariana did an experiment to see if the color of light affected the growth of plants. She planted 15 tomato plants in “Menard’s” brand soil. She divided them up into 3 groups of 5 plants each. 
Group A was put by the window and received normal sunlight.
Group B received only blue light.
Group C received only red light.


Fill out the form below to show that you can apply the terms to Mariana's experiment.

After you complete and submit the form, please draw a diagram that shows what Mariana's experiment would look like. Label all the important parts. Include the plants, the lights, and the window. Label the experimental and control groups:
 



Los científicos obtienen conocimiento y la comprensión sobre el mundo de muchas maneras, pero uno de los más poderosos es haciendo experimentos.

Un experimento pone a prueba una hipótesis e intenta encontrar una relación de causa / efecto. Unos términos clave son importantes para entender cuando se habla de experimentos.

Tome nota de los siguientes términos en su cuaderno de espiral biología.

Variable independiente = El factor en un experimento que los manipula científico (cambios) para ver si se produce un cambio en la variable dependiente.

Variable dependiente = El factor en un experimento que las medidas científico para ver si se cambia o se ve afectada por la presencia o cantidad de la variable independiente.

Constantes = Los aspectos del experimento, que el científico mantiene sin cambios por lo que la única cosa que podría afectar a la variable dependiente es la variable independiente.

Grupo Experimental (s) = El grupo o grupos de sujetos en un experimento que son manipulados por la variable independiente para ver si tiene un efecto.

Grupo Control = El grupo de sujetos en un experimento que dejó en su estado "normal", por lo que podemos comparar el grupo experimental (s) a él para ver si el grupo experimental (s) se vieron afectados por la variable independiente.

Una gran manera de saber si usted entiende los nuevos términos es ver si se puede aplicar a un ejemplo.

Ejemplo:
Mariana hizo un experimento para ver si el color de la luz afecta el crecimiento de las plantas. Ella plantó 15 plantas de tomate en el suelo marca "de Menard". Ella les divide en 3 grupos de 5 plantas cada uno.
El grupo A se puso junto a la ventana y recibió la luz solar normal.
Grupo B recibió sólo la luz azul.
Grupo C recibió sólo la luz roja.

Rellene el encima formulario para demostrar que puede aplicar los términos para el experimento de Mariana.

Después de completar y enviar el formulario, por favor dibuje un diagrama que muestra lo que el experimento de Mariana se vería así. Marque todas las partes importantes. Incluya las plantas, las luces, y la ventana. Etiquetar los grupos experimentales y de control: