Week 15 Reflection

This week in Mr. Wan's honors biology class, we learned about Human Body Systems.  There are 11 different systems including the Circulatory, Integumentary, Excretory, Digestive, Immune, Lymphatic, Nervous, Muscular, Respiratory, Reproductive, and Skeletal System.  Our group was given the specific system of Integumentary.  It includes the hair, skin, and nails and is protects the body from various kinds of damage.  

Week 16 Reflection

As the end of the year approaches, the class is gaining a sense of urgency to complete everything before it is time for finals. The majority of this week was spent going over/reviewing the human body systems. As a class we discussed the immune system, the circulatory system, the skeletal system, and the nervous system. We also lightly touched on the other seven systems, but we only went in depth with these four. Being that the unit test is tomorrow, we were given the opportunity to create a reference sheet to refer to on the test. The reviews that we did helped not only to prepare for the test, but also to clear things up in terms of understanding how our bodies work.

Arman Sani #bloggin

Week 15 Reflection

The body system that was the focus of the class this week was the circulatory system. The circulatory system is an organ system that includes the heart, blood, and blood vessels. This system is crucial to transport things such as nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, blood cells, and more throughout the body. We also went further in depth in arteries and veins. For example, we discussed the location and importance of the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body. The circulatory system makes up only a fraction of the human body, nonetheless, our survival depends on it.
Arman Sani
#bloggin

Circulatory System Reflection

Dear fellow followers,

This week Mr. Wan taught us about the circulatory system. The circulatory system is an organ system  that permits blood and lymph circulation to transport things such as nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones, blood cells, etc. to and from cells in the body. We mainly talked about the heart and blood vessels and how they work. We also went further in depth and talked about the arteries, veins, and capillaries. The circulatory system is a very interesting topic and very important as well.

-Tommy Knopf #bloggin

Body System

To my followers,
 In class this week, our proffesor wanted us to research one of the seven organ systems. I researched the excretory system. The excretory system is a passive biological system that removes excess, unnecessary materials from an organism, so as to help maintain homeostasis within the organism and prevent damage to the body.  When we sweat, urinate, and even bleed sometimes, we are using our excretory system.

Body Systems Reflection

Dear fellow followers,

To start off our journey through physiology, we learned about the eleven body systems. The eleven groups of three that we split up into were each given a body system to research, my group was given the excretory system. The excretory system is made up of the skin, lungs, and kidneys- along with their associated organs. The kidney plays the biggest role in this system. As waste-laden blood enters the kidney and travels through it, urea, excess water, and other waste products are removed and collected as urine. The clean, filtered blood is then returned to circulation through the renal vein. The kidneys also play an important role in maintaining homeostasis. They regulate the water and therefore, blood volume, maintain blood pH, and remove waste products from the blood. If anything happens to the kidneys serious medical problems will soon follow.

Week 13 Reflection

Our dive into Physiology began with an introduction to the eleven body systems. Groups of three were assigned a body system to research, and my group was given the Respiratory System. The respiratory system is very closely linked to breathing. There is approximately 1500 miles of airway. Also, one's right lung is larger than their left lung because of the heart and its positioning. The respiratory system allows people to breath 10 liters of air in a single minute. Although many people do not know this, people are capable of living with only one lung. Simple exercise can improve lung capacity. Up to 300 million alveoli can be found in a pair of lungs. The respiratory system is one of the multiple body systems that make human life possible.
Arman Sani #bloggin

Week 9 Reflection

To whom this may concern,

This week in Biology we learned about ecology. Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.  Observing, experimenting, and modeling are methods used by scientists to study the biosphere.  Also, the nitrogen, carbon, water, and phosphorus are the four cycles of matter.  Another thing we learned is that energy flows through an ecosystem.  It flows in one direction from autotrophs to heterotrophs.  Autotrophs, or producers, get their energy from the sun, and heterotrophs, or consumers, get their energy from producers.

Tyler Giddens #bloggin

Week 9 reflection

Dear fellow followers,

This week our class learned about ecology. Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment. Scientists use the studying methods of observing, modeling, and experimenting to further understand the biosphere. Along with ecology, Mr. Wan also taught us about the flow of energy. We learned about food chains and food webs, and how energy flows in one direction from producers to consumers. Producers, also know as autotrophs, obtain energy directly from the sun. Consumers, or heterotrophs, get their energy from other organisms. We also learned about the cycles of matter. The cycles include the water, carbon, nitrogen, and the phosphorous cycles. #bloggin

-Tommy Knopf

Week 9 Reflection

Ecology is the study of interactions betweens organisms and their surroundings including other organisms and the environment. Scientists study the biosphere and other phenomenas on earth by observing, experimenting, and modeling. Next, I was taught that energy moves in one direction from producers to consumers. Producers are organisms that obtain energy by producing their own food. They are also known as autotrophs. Consumers get their energy from other organisms. Consumers are either herbivores(only plants), carnivores(only meat), or omnivores(both).This week I also learned about the numerous cycles of matter, and that matter is never lost or produced. These cycles include the water cycle, the nitrogen cycle, the carbon cycle, and the phosphorus cycle. 

Arman Sani #bloggin 

Week 5/6 Reflection

Millions of years ago, humans were merely just another species in the animal kingdom. Proposed by Charles Darwin, the theory of evolution is a change in population that occurs when organisms with favorable traits in an environment survive, reproduce, and pass on the trait. This is also known as natural selection. During my study of evolution, I learned that the belief that adaptation is a species changing to fit its environment better is a misconception. Rather, an adaptation is any trait that improves chances of survival. Evidence supporting the theory of evolution includes fossil records, anatomical records, molecular records, and artificial selection. Us humans are a great example of evolution. A documentary we have been watching in class depicts humans as ape-like creatures millions of years ago. Over time, our species has shed much of its hair, has began to walk on two legs, etc. Believe it or not, us humans, as well as practically all other living beings on this planet will continue to evolve until we become extinct.  
Arman Sani #bloggin

Evolution

Dear fellow bloggers,
This week we were introduced to the topic of evolution.We saw a documentary on cavemen that were apelike at first but then evolved to a species that could walk on two legs. Evolution is the different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth. This is a very interesting topic that only science could of found. We did a worksheet that shows how many generations would survive by chance in the world. the most amount of generations was 5 for me.See you next time bloggers.

week 5 reflection: evolution

Dear fellow followers,

This week our class learned about the theory of evolution. Evolution is a theory proposed by Charles Darwin. He believed in the idea of survival of the fittest.Evolution is the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to haves developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth. Little known fact, is that Charles Darwin shares the exact same birthday as Abraham Lincoln, February 12, 1809. #bloggin

-Tommy Knopf

Week 5 Reflection

Dear followers,
In this weeks class, we talked about evolution. Evolution is theory proposed by Charles Darwin. He believed in the idea of survival of the fittest. Little known fact, Charles Darwin shares the same exact birth date as Abraham Lincoln, February 12, 1809. Evolution is the process by which the different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth.
#bloggin
Tiburcio McGhee

Week 4 Reflection

To whom this may concern,
This week we explored further into pedigrees with our own family tree.  Mr. Wan had us digitally create a record of our ancestors. Unfortunately, mine is very small. Because my dad was an only child and my mom only had one sister, there weren't many branches in the tree.  However, this was a helpful project for me that helped me better understand not only pedigrees but also my ancestors.

- Tyler Giddens #bloggin

Week 4 Reflection

Along with preparing for our Unit 5 Exam, this week we explored our individual ancestry with a mini family tree project. Although I did not trace my roots very far back, I still gained better knowledge of how I am related to the people in my extended family and their ages in relation to one another. By making my family tree I not only completed my assignment, but I also created a tool for future reference for things like birthdays of my family members.

Arman Sani #bloggin 

Week 4 Reflection: Pedigrees

Dear fellow followers,

     This week Mr. Wan taught us about pedigrees and how the genes are passed down. He taught us that the trait that is being passed down can be either autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, X-linked recessive, and X-linked dominant. It can also be a Y liked trait but Mr.wan didn't go into detail on that. We were then assigned to create a family tree. I tried to go back as far as I could but I could only get to the third generation. It was very interesting to look at my family tree and see the traits that have been passed down. #bloggin

-Tommy Knopf

Week 4 Reflection

In this week's class, we reviewed family tree and pedigrees. We were assigned to create a family tree of our family and see how far back we could go. My goal is to go back at least three generations. My grandfather was able to trace our ancestry back all the way to 1795. Pedigrees can help you determine where traits come from. I would really be interested in doing a pedigree to see where i get my height from.
Tiburcio McGhee
#bloggin

Week 3 Reflection

This week the main topics we touched on were blood types and pedigrees. Blood types are inherited and are either A, B, AB, or O.  AB can accept any blood type, and O can be used by any blood type. Because AB has no antibodies and O has no antigens this is possible. Next, pedigrees are family trees that show the phenotypes of a specific inherited gene. For example, the diagram below exemplifies the inheritance of gene through multiple generations.














Arman Sani #bloggin

Blood Types and Pedigrees

Dear fellow bloggers,
This week in Mr. Wan's biology class, we learned about blood types and pedigrees.  The four blood types are A, AB, B, and O and are inherited from an offspring's parents.  The blood type O can give blood to any type and is recessive, while AB can receive any type of blood.  This is because O has no antigens and AB has no antibodies.  Pedigrees are phenotypic family trees.  They illustrate the inheritance of a particular gene.

  

-Tyler Giddens #Bloggin

Week 3: Blood Types

Dear fellow followers,

     This week Mr. Wan taught us about blood types. We learned that the 4 blood type groups are A, B, AB, and O, without the positives and negatives, we haven't learned that yet. We then learned that blood type O is a universal recipient, and that blood type AB is a universal recipient. Blood type A recieves from O and A, and donates to A and AB. Blood type B receives from O and B, and donates to B and AB. When determining the blood type using a punnett square the letter I is used, and the A's and B's are used as exponents. Thats all for this week. #bloggin


     -Tommy Knopf

Week 2: Reflection

Dear fellow followers,

     This week Mr. Wan taught us about genetics. We learned that the genotype is what you have but cannot see, and phenotype is what is expressed. In order to find what traits have been passed down, you use a punnett square. In genes, there is a dominant gene, and a recessive gene. The dominant gene is the one being expressed. The dominant gene is represented by a capital letter while a recessive gene is represented by lower case letter. After that we learned about sex linked genes, and lack of dominance genes. Genetics express who we are. #bloggin

     -Tommy Knopf

Week 2 Reflection

Hey there Bloggers,
Today we touched on the topic of genetics. Genetics is the study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics. We learned on phenotype and genotypes. The Genotype is the genetic constitution of an individual organism. The phenotype is the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Mendelian Genetics

Dear fellow bloggers,

This week in Biology, we learned about Mendelian genetics.  In order to do an offspring inheritance simulation, we flipped coins to demonstrate dominant and recessive allele.  This determined the phenotype of the offspring's hair, eyes, ears, mouth, skin, gender, and nose.  My wife Graham and I gave birth to a beautiful child on Wednesday.  On Friday, we took notes on sex-linked genes as well as dihybrid crosses.
In sex-linked traits, women have two X chromosomes, while men have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome.  Because of their single X chromosome, men will express whatever allele no matter dominant or recessive.  A dihybrid cross is the crossing of two organisms that differ in two traits.

Dihybrid Cross in Rats

Our Child

-Tyler Giddens #Bloggin

Week 2 Reflection

In studying genetics and inheritance, it has become clear to me that many of the genes passed down in the genotype are not clearly represented in the phenotype. The traits that are expressed are considered dominant, while those that are not seen are recessive. These alleles can be represented with a capital or lower case letter, representing its dominance. When these genes are being inherited, they form a certain combination of dominant and recessive alleles which dictate the traits in the phenotype. Earlier this week we performed a lab called Genetics with a Smile, with the purpose being for us to gain experience on how the different combinations of alleles come to form a being's appearance. In this lab, the students were given a list of possible traits, and were to flip a coin so that one of the options could be decided. The outcome of our lab is below. Dick Oliver is a male human with an oval face, blast shaped eyes, curly hair, pointed ears, up-facing nose, olive-tone face, red eyes, long hair, freckles, an orange nose, teal ears, and a thick, happy smile. Furthermore, this week we learned about sex-linked inheritance. We were taught how women can be carriers or simply have/not have the trait. We also learned about how when two equally dominant traits are combined in an offspring things like codominance and incomplete  dominance occur. This past week, I have become much more familiar with the topic that determines my traits; whether analyzing the work of Gregor Mendel and his pea plants, or calculating the probability of a specific trait appearing in a phenotype of an offspring.

Arman Sani #bloggin

Genetic Smiley

To whom this may concern,
In today's class, we flipped a coin to determine characteristics for our baby. The coin determined wether the trait would be dominant or recessive. We were able to create its face color, hair patterns, gender, freckles, mouth thickness, and eye shape. Tommy Knopf, my partner, and I had a beautiful baby. Lacolor Jones III.

Week: 2 Genetics

Dear fellow followers,
   
     This week, Mr. Wan  taught us Genetics. We did an experiment to demonstrate dominant and recessive genes. We flipped coins in oder to figure out what the outcome of or child would be. After completing the experiment, here is the final result. As you can tell our daughter is beautiful. #bloggin

Week 1 Reflection

     In our first week back from break we jumped right into the topic of meiosis. In the past few days I have become much more familiar with this topic and its different phases. The process of meiosis is similar to that of mitosis, but the outcomes are much different. I have learned that meiosis has eight steps, broken down into two phases. The second phase features similar steps as the first phase, except it has double the number of cells. Meiosis includes gametes which are sex cells, while mitosis includes somatic cells. I learned that meiosis begins with one diploid cell, and ends with four genetically different haploid cells. Finally, I now know that in the first phase of meiosis there is an exchange of genes called crossing over. Meiosis is a cellular process that is crucial to life, and creates the diversity among humans and many other species on this planet.
Arman Sani #bloggin

Week 1 Reflection

Dear fellow bloggers,
This week we learned a new topic named meiosis. It was a little hard to understand in the beginning, but i am starting to understand the new topic. I have come to understand that meiosis is a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell, as in the production of gametes and plant spores. Meiosis is not like mitosis. Mitosis is asexual which means that it can recreate its own own cell with its own genetic info. Meiosis on the other hand, is sexual which means that it uses half of its own info and half of another cells info.

-Juan Urrutia #bloggin

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Week 1: Reflection

Dear fellow followers,

     

     This week in Mr. Wan's class we learned about meiosis. Meiosis is a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cells. We learned that meiosis is sexual unlike mitosis which is asexual. The two types of cells made from meiosis are the egg and the sperm. There is a total of eight steps in meiosis. Meiosis plays a huge role in life, and without it we wouldn't exist.

-Tommy Knopf #bloggin 

Week 1 Reflection

Tiburcio McGhee

To whom this may concern,

This week I learned about meiosis. Meiosis is a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell. This process is used to produce gamete cells for sexual reproduction. It uses one diploid cells and goes through eight steps and makes four haploid cells that are not identical. #bloggin

Week 1 Reflection

Dear fellow bloggers,

In the first week of the second semester, Mr. Wan's biology class learned about Meiosis.  At first this subject was slightly confusing, but after a little bit of studying I began to understand it.  Like mitosis, meiosis begins with one diploid cell.  However, meiosis results in 4 genetically different cells while mitosis results in 2 identical cells.  Because meiosis creates 4 haploids, these daughter cells only have half the amount of chromosomes their parent cell has.  These sex cells known as gametes are necessary for sexual reproduction in eukaryotes.  Female gametes are called eggs and male gametes are called sperm.  When two gamete cells fuse together in the process of fertilization, a zygote is formed which then divides to produce offspring.

-Tyler Giddens #bloggin







Diagram of Meiosis