Khan to the Rescue

Ok, so we are making progress on understanding a very, very (comparatively) complex reaction, one that is so very basic and so essential that we started learning about it in kindergarten; that is,  the process of photosynthesis, without which no life, as we know it, could exist.  As Einstein said, "We should make things as simple as possible, but no simpler."  And so here we are, using our very valuable time, and wondering, "Why do I have to do this?" 
The answer is many-fold: first, it expands our brain-power, and teaches us how to learn the hard stuff.  Also, it develops our character, building in us qualities of perseverance and thoroughness and much more.  Lastly, and most important, it glorifies God and reveals His majesty and greatness and perhaps causes our hearts to soar in worship.  No, I'm not kidding; I really do feel that way.  It's not just pretty sunsets that do this.

Not trying to over-spiritualize. Just sayin'.

Now the homework: first, keep working on the video project.  I am flexible on how much time it will take, so if we don't finish shooting on Thursday, we have some leeway.   (Have you thought about what you wanted to wear?  Perhaps black t-shirts???)

But here is the study part:  Watch these videos (there are four segments, a total of 70 minutes, so not all at once, please.)  From Khan Academy, let me welcome:

1. Photosynthesis
2. Photosynthesis: Light Reactions 1
3. Photosynthesis: Light Reactions and Photo-phosphorylation
4. Photosynthesis: Calvin Cycle      ( use "next video" button.)

Hope You Enjoyed the Confusion!

Well, that might be asking a bit much...at least you may enjoy a lighter load of homework.  But don't get too laid back; our goal is to figure out how to learn the tough stuff,  particularly by modeling and making analogies.

So...poke around on the internet to find how other students have explained the Light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle, and make notes for your groups.  Brainstorm ideas for what you could use as props to carry out the plan.


WHEN YOU FIND A GOOD VIDEO, POST THE LINK AS A COMMENT.  thanks.

Photo-Finish

Let's make this simple :
Read all of 8.3 and answer end of chapter questions 7-10, 18-23 and 26-28 (page 217).  Copy all of the diagrams over again. [figure 8-7 on page 209, figure 8-10 on page 211, and figure 8-11 on page 212]
THIS IS THE HOMEWORK YOU TURN IN ON THURSDAY.

Oh, and what is ATP synthase?  Here is a cool video:Evidence of a Designer: The ATP Synthase Enzyme   It's so cool, and so short, you should watch it twice!  Draw a picture of ATP synthase in your lab book, and tell what it does for the cell.  Why is it "an evolutionary impossibility?"

more vids. Photosynthesis: Light Reactions 
(if only you could play this in fast forward: this explanation gives you no idea of how fast this is going: up to 7,000 rotations per minute on the ATP synthase!)

The Calvin Cycle  not great, but not long either.  If you find a better one, post a comment.  Can you think of a SIMPLE way to model the Calvin Cycle?  Please share on Thursday.

pHoToSyNtHeSiS

                     Homework:
read textbook 8.2 - Photosynthesis and do study guide, and also the first page of 8.3, which shows the diagrams of the chloroplast.

Watch brainpop, 3 movies: photosynthesis, cellular respiration and metabolism.  Read FYI or do quizzes.

Also: http://www.brightstorm.com/science/biology/cell-functions-and-processes/photosynthesis/

Draw a diagram of a chloroplast and label. (in your lab notebooks.) List what each part is or does. Is this a cool t-shirt or what? (what.)

That seems like enough.

                                                           There is nothing funny about a chloroplast.  :(               But Madison has found us a goodie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GOMIBdM6N7Q#!                 

The Subject is ATP -- Amazing Tremendous POWER!

  Otherwise known as adenosine triphosphate.  Here's the homework:

First of all, warm up with  the video we keep not having time for:  From Harvard University, 

The Inner Life of the Cell (music version)

(watch the 3-minute music version.) WOW!

Read text chapter 8.1: Energy & Life with study guide. Keep track of all the analogies mentioned.  ATP is like a ....what?  Post a comment.

Videos: http://www.brightstorm.com/science/biology/cell-functions-and-processes/cellular-energy-production/

http://www.khanacademy.org/video/atp--adenosine-triphosphate?playlist=Biology  {this video is advanced and contains hazardous amounts of chemistry} OR if you would prefer, you may instead spend the time in review on brainpop.com  and watch these five short movie clips: /http://www.brainpop.com/science/cellularlifeandgenetics 

log in (remember we wrote down the username/password in class) and follow the links to review.  cells, cell structures, passive transport, active transport. Read the FYI's, which are generally interesting and informative.

Lastly, make a model of the ATP molecule; it can be 2- or 3- dimensional, but not just a sketch.  At least cut up some paper and make it look cool.

 

ATP - Power To Drive Cellular Work

ATP - Adenosine triphosphate - a close relative to Adenine, a nucleotide found in DNA.

• Contains three phosphate groups connected to each other in sequence
• The bonds an be broken by hydrolysis
  • When the terminal phosphate bond is broken, a molecule of inorganic phosphate (P_i)  is formed
  • This forms adenosine diphosphate, ADP + (P_i)
  • This generates free energy, which can be used by the cell to do work
• Obviously, for the cell to function, ATP must rapidly be regenerated.
  • One muscle cell can consume and regenerate over 10,000,000 ATP's a second
  • If ATP couldn't be regenerated, humans would have to consume nearly their body weight in ATP each day

Let's finish it!

Today, Friday, is all about finishing what we started:
First, the Eggs-spiriment, all about eggsmosis:  see Monday's post.  finish up and write down in your lab notebook briefly what you discovered and observed.  Answer any questions that were asked.  Perhaps take a photo to document your work.

Second, do the math and graphing for the experiment we did yesterday with the dialysis tubing. (the second one with the 4 bags.)  Read the questions and answer what you can. [btw, I figured out what I did wrong in the first experiment-- I used sucrose instead of glucose.  The test strip was for glucose.  Also, sucrose is a larger molecule than glucose, so it could not diffuse through the membrane. Live and learn.  :p]

Third, read the last section, chapter 7.4 , I think you can skip the study guide questions this time, but do look at the pictures and be observant.
Review the flash cards you made for the organelles, or find a quizlet
  http://quizlet.com/57013/cell-organelles-flash-cards/
Use coloring pages to review and ID the organelles.

This IS the complete homework

Previously, [This is not the complete homework; check back tomorrow.  Right now, Thursday night, I want you to take 3 eggs (per family) and cover them with cheap vinegar (white or cider, not balsamic...) This is to remove the calcium from the shells.  Let these sit, covered in vinegar, until the shells have dissolved; that is, a day or two.  I'll post more tomorrow morning.]
Now, for the rest of the story>>>

The Eggs-piriment:  http://ilovebacteria.com/eggosmosis.htm
This will take a few days, so start now and don't forget it.  Please note: you may not have a scale to weigh the eggs; you could measure the circumference instead.  Record your data.  This is basically  the same experiment in your lab books on page 85.

Read for Thursday: Chapter 7.3 textbook/study guide.
Short Interactive:  http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=AP1101
20 minute Video: Diffusion and Osmosis (take notes) : http://www.khanacademy.org/video/diffusion-and-osmosis?playlist=Biology
Review parts of cell flashcards.

here are the pictures from today:

and for the Tebow fans:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/tebow-time-three-3-16-references-boffo-tv-172145772.html