Weekly Blog 10/16/16 - Mitosis

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Mitosis_diagram.jpg

Summary

Mitosis is a phase in the cell cycle. There are 6 stages within mitosis. It all starts at interphase, where the cell grows and develops. The next stage is prophase. In prophase, the chromosomes condense, spindle fibers form between centrioles, and the nuclear membrane dissolves. During metaphase, the spindle fibers get attached to the chromosomes which gets pulled into a line along the center of the cell. In the fourth stage, anaphase, the centromeres split and the spindle fibers pull the chromatids until they reach the opposite poles. In the fifth stage, telophase, the chromosomes uncoil, and a new nuclear envelope forms, the spindle fibers also disappear. During the 6th and final stage, cytokinesis, the cytoplasm of the cell completely splits in half creating two whole cells. Mitosis is the process of cell division.

SP2: Developing and using models

I developed a model when the class created a mitosis flip book. To develop the model, I had to draw each stage in six different squares and individually cut each of them out. There were about 36 squares in total. The amount of times I had to fill in a square helped imprint the information into my brain. I used the flip book to help myself visualize the whole process of cell division so I can better understand what's happening inside me right now.

XCC: Systems & System Models

Cells make up tissues which make up organs which make up systems which make up organisms. In your body, different systems such as your circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and skeletal help you function and live. All of these different systems work together to create you. In order to function properly, you need all of these different systems or parts. Each system can be broken down into cells. In fact, within a cell are a ton more parts called organelles. The organelles work together to help the cell function so you can ultimately function also. For example, the cell membrane protects inside of the cell and monitors what will go in and out of the cell. Without the cell wall, harmful substances would enter hurting the other organelle and cell as a whole. In conclusion, your body is a big system with many smaller systems and parts inside. All of these parts and systems work together to ensure you are functioning smoothly. 

Weekly Blog 10/8/16 - The Cell Cycle

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Animal_cell_cycle-en.svg/1000px-Animal_cell_cycle-en.svg.png

Summary

There are four phases of the cell cycle: G0, G1, G2, and M. M stands for mitosis. There are 6 stages in mitosis: interphase, prophase. metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis. During mitosis, cell division occurs. The cell goes through all 6 stages in order for that to happen. The third statement in the Cell Theory states that all cells come from pre existing cells. Mitosis is how that happens.

SP6: Constructing explanations and designing solutions

I constructed an explanation of how cells come from pre-existing cells when I completed a gizmos and worksheet on the cell cycle. To answer and design solutions to the questions of the papers, I had to experiment and gather information through the gizmos by doing several things. First, I had to adjust the gizmos by following the instructions on the top box. Then, I had to experiment, read, and observe the information, graphics, and text.

XCC: Structure And Function

In an experiment, we proved how water and liquids travel in and out of a cell's membrane. In a cell, things often need to be transported in and out of the membrane (the function). Because of this, the membrane has little holes or pores that allow that function to happen. It's semi-permeable which means it acts like a barrier to most (but not all) molecules. This structure allows the function to happen. Things can be transported through osmosis, diffusion, and more. For example, in osmosis the solvent either moves in or out of the cell to even out the ratio of solvent to solute. To visualize this, we put an deshelled egg in some sort of liquid. After a period of time, you can see if the water was isotonic, hypertonic, or hypotonic, depending on the size of the egg. In order for osmosis to happen, the structure of the cell and membrane has to be semi-permeable and allow water to go through. CO2, O2, and H2O are one of the few types of molecules that can go through the membrane. 

Weekly Blog 10/2/16: Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Photosynthesis.gif/553px-Photosynthesis.gif

Summary

Both cellular respiration and photosynthesis include these basic reactants and products: Oxygen (02), Glucose (C6H12O6), Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Water (H2O). In photosynthesis, the reactants are carbon dioxide and water. Once sunlight is added, the two reactants re-arrange and transform into glucose and oxygen. Since oxygen is just a by-product, it is released into the air. Glucose, however, is turned into energy through cellular respiration. In cellular respiration, oxygen and glucose transforms back into carbon dioxide and water. Energy is also created. First, the oxygen goes into the mitochondria while the glucose stays outside in the cytoplasm. In the cytoplasm, the glucose splits into two pyruvic acid molecules which then creates a bit of energy. Next, the two pyruvic acid molecules move into the mitochondria and react to the oxygen producing carbon dioxide, water, and lots of energy.

SP6: Constructing explanations and designing solutions

I constructed explanations and designed solutions when I completed two Gizmos Labs on photosynthesis and the cell energy cycle. To construct explanations and design solutions to the packet, I had to think about the information I found by experimenting in the labs. By evaluating that information, I was able to come up with and test several of my hypothesis on what was going to happen next in the lab and why. For example, a few of the questions asked me to form a hypothesis on what  think are the reactants and products of photosynthesis. Since I know what the reactants and products of cellular respiration are as well as how both processes use the same basic ones, I should be able to from a hypothesis.

XCC: Systems and System Models

The system I am identifying is the cell energy cycle. In this system, there are 2 parts: photosynthesis and cellular respiration. In class, we studied about how photosynthesis and cellular respiration work together. The reactants of photosynthesis are produced by cellular respiration while the reactants of cellular respiration are produced by photosynthesis. Both of the two processes depend on each other to create enough of their reactants so the process and cycle can continue on. In addition to this, both of the two parts require the same basic molecules. These molecules are carbon dioxide, water, oxygen, and glucose.

Macro Molecules - Weekly Blog 9/25/16

https://www.cuteness.com/article/evolution-geckos

Summary

There are four types of macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. These four macromolecules are the main building blocks of life. Carbohydrates provide energy for your body. They're basically just sugar. The monomer (simplest form) of carbohydrates is saccharides. Examples of carbs include bread, rice, and pasta. Lipids are fats. They store energy in your body. The monomer is fatty acids and some examples include oil and wax. The next one, proteins, are what make up all of your vital body parts. Some body parts made of proteins include your muscles, heart, skin, and eyes. The monomer of proteins is amino acids. The final macromolecule is nucleic acids. Nucleic acids are your DNA and RNA. They hold the instructions for your bodies organelles to perform their functions. The monomer is nucleotides.

SP2: Developing and using models

I developed and used models when I created an informational foldable on the 4 different types of macromolecules. My model organized the information I previously took notes on and helped me better understand what my notes meant. I also had to include things that weren't in my notes in my foldable. This included 5 examples of each macromolecule. By transferring the information from my notebook to a neat foldable, I was able to go over all the information I wrote down and remind myself of what I learned about the previous day.

Cross Cutting Concepts: Systems and System Models

Our body is really just one big system made up of smaller systems, made up of smaller systems inside those systems. Within all these systems, there are parts that work together so the system can function correctly. Every type of macromolecule plays big role in the human body. For example, without carbs, our body wouldn't have any energy. Without lipids, our body wouldn't have a place to store our energy. Without proteins... our body wouldn't exist. And without nucleic acids, our body wouldn't know how to function. The point is if our body didn't have even one of these types of macromolecules, we would cease to exist. Everything in our body is there for a reason.

9/18/16 Cell Wars Project Blog

Summary

In the Cell Wars Project, students picked organelles to represent during Cell-Land's new "election", forming groups of 3 and 4 for the project. The project consisted of three elements, posters advertising our candidates awesomeness, smears and replies about why you should vote our organelle for president and a video containing information about your organelle. I personally, would vote for the Ribosome. This is because of several reasons. For one, their group created a highly entertaining, informational, and an easy to understand video. Their idea was unique and definitely got their point across about why the Riboome is the right candidate. Also, they created hilarious posters as well as mini ones that they pinned to their shirts for more advertisement.

Backwards Looking

How much did you know about the subject before we started?

Before this project, my only knowledge on organelles and cells was from the unit we did in 5th grade (also on organelles). In 5th grade we also studies cells but didn't go into as much detail on the organelles themselves. I remember researching the chloroplast. Also, due to the fact that I haven't really learned much about cells recently, a lot of the information I had previously learned was forgotten. In addition to that, this year I learned about more organelles including the E.R, peroxisomes, and cytoplasm. 

Inward Looking

What did/do you find frustrating about it?

While creating my groups video, we ran into a multitude of problems. For one, Powtoon didn't allow any actually editing for voice overs on the actual program. Because of this, I had to edit the audio for each slide on Wevideo separately. In addition to that, I also had to convert the audio on Wevideo into an Mp3 file to be able to import it into Powtoon. Because of this, I had to do a lot more work than I might of had to do if I checked to see how voice overs worked ahead of time in Powtoon.

Outward Looking

Did you do your work the way other people did theirs? In what ways did you do it differently? In what ways was your work or process similar?

Unlike other groups videos, my group created a Powtoon animation. Most of the other groups created an actual filmed video. However, there a few groups that also created animations. Their animations differed from my group, however, by the application they used and the plot of the whole thing altogether. A similarity I noticed between other groups work was how lots of people were filming newscasts for their video. Either their video was a newscast or it included one. My groups video also included a newscast. However, we just used one to introduce the story line of the whole thing. 

Forward Looking

One thing I would like to improve upon is ...

One really important thing that I know I have to improve upon is time management. This year, despite the fact that it has just begun, I've noticed that I tend to finish a large portion of my project usually last minute. This is because I tend to work slowly and take my time wile doing parts of the project. One solution, I have found is to set small goals while i'm working. Not goals for the day or period, goals for the next 20 minutes or something. For example, while i'm working I might tell myself, "by 5:35 I want to have this much completed" or "I want to have 5 lines written down."

View Cell Wars: PEROXISOMESAnh Do full version on Tackk
Create your own customized Tackk page

Cell Wars 9/11

One of my group's posters

Summary

Whenever you work on some sort of project, it is important to make sure that you check

Peroxisomes 9/4/16

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Peroxisome.svg/2000px-Peroxisome.svg.png

Summary

Within the cell, peroxisomes carry out several different tasks. One of their main jobs is to break down the hydrogen peroxide within the cell. H2o2 is a by-product of different enzymes in the cell, created by their activity. Since it is deadly to the cell, it needs to be rid of quickly. That's where the peroxisomes come in. The hydrogen peroxide ends up inside the peroxisome which contains an enzyme called catalase. In the presence of catalase, h2o2 will be broken down into oxygen and water. Other tasks that the peroxisomes carry out include digesting fatty, amino, and uric acids as well as digesting alcohol.

SP7: Arguing With Evidence

I engaged in an argument with evidence when I smeared other organelles in the cell war Edmodo campaign. To do so, I had to argue about why my group's organelle should become president of cell-land and provide solid evidence to convince others. For example, in one smear I made, I created a meme about the ribosome and why people believe the cause of Alzheimers Disease is related it. In addition to creating an entertaining meme, I had to do research on the cause, provide a brief explanation explaining what I am trying to tell others, and provide an informative source. Without evidence, my smear and meme would have no meaning. 

XCC: Stability and Change

The other day, while I was mountain biking I noticed how I was seeing more deer than usual. This reminded me of the deer, food, water, shelter, and mountain lion activity that we did last year in science. I figured what I saw was a real life example of the game taking place in Alum Rock Parks ecosystem. From what I have observed, I believe that the system there isn't stable. This is because of how many deer I saw. If the population of deer is increasing right now, it is probably because there is more resources for them and less predators like mountain lions. I also remember that in the game, when we graphed out the data that we found, the population of deer jump from really high to really low on a yearly basis. Right now, the population is probably in its high time. The reason why the population of deer changed like this was because of the resources. When there wasn't enough, deer were killed off in large quantities which left few deer. The few deer then had more than enough resources so they reprooduced in vast quantites and so on and so on. To make the population stable, I would recommend experimenting with the amount and combination of resources and predators to see what works best.