VDA #5 Fish Consumption & Pregnancy

VDA #5
Fish Consumption & Pregnancy

Due: Thursday, December 13th by 11:59pm, CST

Directions:  Read this article and then do the following:

1. Find a reliable website that can offer pregnant women information about mercury in seafood and will give suggestions as to serving sizes and frequencies that are safe for consumption.

2. Using what you find in the website that you research and what you've read in the article, write a paragraph of at least 6 sentences that explains what mercury is, what it can do to pregnant women and how they can prevent these problems while pregnant.

Your sentences must be complete, thorough and all science must be referenced if it's gained from any place other than the website you post, the article or your text book.  

Truth?

Einstein's Brain

I read this article today and I thought you may be interested.  Scientists Get a New Look at Einstein's Brain.
Sharing is caring. :)

VDA #4, Comments #1

VDA #4

NPR Science News (Arbor Embolism & Long Term Science)

original response due: 11:59pm; Wednesday, November 28th

An Arbor Embolism and Long-Term Science are two articles on NPR's website right now.  I'd like you to read both articles, but then only choose one series of questions to respond to for your VDA#4.

An Arbor Embolism Questions:

1. What is an embolism, as it pertains to humans?

2. What is an embolism as it pertains to plants/trees?

3. What implication does this discovery have in terms of global concern?

Long-Term Science Questions:

1. What is Richard Lenski studying and why does he think it's important?

2. What is Telewski studying and why does he think it's important?

3. What benefits do you see in performing long-term scientific studies like these? 

Comments #1

Communicating With Others

response to two classmates due: 11:59pm; Friday, November 30th

Sometime on Thursday or Friday, you must read your classmates' responses to VDA #4 and choose two in which to comment.  You MUST choose one classmate that selected the same article as you and another who did not.  Your comments must be at least four complete sentences in length and must be applicable to science and the article at hand.  You will receive no credit for comments that are shorter than four sentences or comments that are not relevant to the topic.

Extra Credit: DNA's Shape

The Shape of DNA

due: 11:59pm, Monday, November 19th.  

DNA is shaped like a double helix.  This information is widely accepted.  But, for this extra credit opportunity, you must answer the following questions about DNA.  You must also include your reference for EACH question.

1. DNA is an acronym.  What is DNA's "real" name?

2. What function does DNA serve?

3. How was DNA's shape discovered?  Give me the name of three scientists who played a role in this discovery?  (Hint: I'm looking for the names of two men and one woman).

4. DNA has nucleotide bases, what are the four bases?  (Hint: C, G, T, A... what does each letter represent?)

5. In DNA, the four base nucleotides always pair up in a certain way; which letters bond with which?

__________________________________

***As I mentioned, you must include a reference for each question.  Use the following as an example of how to format your responses:

1. What is the capital of Germany?

The capital of Germany is Berlin.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_of_Germany

OR, you can easily include the url as an active link by typing your response:

The capital of Germany is Berlin.  

And then highlighting the word "Berlin" and clicking the "link" button at the top of your post.  From there, copy/paste the url into the "web address" bar.  Once you do that, you will end up with the following:

1. What is the capital of Germany?
The capital of Germany is Berlin.

VDA #3

Biofuels 

due: 11:59pm (CST) Friday, November 16th

Read the article on the first ever algae-derived fuel and answer the following questions:

1. What is algae? (Specifically, what kingdom does it belong to and where is it found?)

2. What is another form of biofuel that the article mentions? (Hint!  "There's more than _______ in Indiana!  Indiana Beach!") 

3. When comparing algal biofuel to the biofuel mentioned in your answer to number 2, which one allegedly produces fewer polluntants?

4. How does the algae produce biofuel? 

Then, watch Solazyme's video on biofuel production and answer the following questions, according to what the video presented:

1. How long does nature take to produce fuel?

2. How long does it take Solazyme to produce fuel?

3. Where is Solazyme currently located?

Molecules of Life & Bag It

Today we began a discussion on the macromolecules that are pertinent to life, as we know it.  We're discussing carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.  I created a presentation years ago, when I was teaching 10th grade biology, that introduced this same topic, but at a much deeper level.  I'm including that presentation here, so that parents may view it to get an understanding as to what we're learning about in class.

Today we discussed carbohydrates and lipids.  Slides 3, 5, 10, 11, 27 and 35 may be useful to view.

Click here for the presentation.

In addition, students watched the documentary Bag It.  We will be discussing the science presented in this documentary in the upcoming weeks.  If you would like to borrow the DVD, please let me know and I can send it home with you!