11.05.09 Homework for the weekend: Due Monday

1) What does "ATP and ADP stand for? How do they differ?

2) a. ATP production: write the chemcial reaction, identify substrate and product.

b. ATP breakdown:

write the chemcial reaction, identify substrate and product

3) Where from does the cell get energy to make ATP? 4) How is the ATP/ADP system liek a rechargeable battery?

11.01.09 Please be aware that this week:

A. Our next test is scheduled for Thursday November 5th. Review guide will be given in advance. From now on the review guides are NOT all extra credit, but For Credit: Choose 10 questions to answer (for 40 homework points), and the rest is extra 40 points.

B. Notebooks will be collected this week. Make sure that your notebook is presentable - all journals are clearly marked with dates, and fully answered; All filled handouts and assignments are attached; Table of contents is up to date; Index/vocabulary page has reference to page numbers in your notebook and / or text book.

C. Homework for Wednesday is the multiple choice questions on page 97: just the letter you chose will not be given any credit. You must copy question plus chosen answer, and then shortly explain your answer.

D. On Thursday we will review for the test, working on the review guide and asking the teacher questions.

11.01.09 There is a long list of "Homework Help" websites that are supposed to help you with homework in general. A list that was forwarded to teachers from Ms. Schwartz, if available to you as a Word file, under "Biology Files 2009-2010". I cannot attest to their quality, but if you check out any of these websites, please let me know if they are good or bad, so I can be more specific in my recommendation.

10.25.09

Oh, No! Your teacher forgot the grading sheet in the classroom on Friday. Therefore.... the grades will not be current tonight, yet. Please check later during the week, and in the meantime - make up work if needed!

QUIZ2 (Take-home for periods 2-5) is DUE tomorrow. If you forgot - only during lunch! Make ups will be possible during the lunches this week.

10.12.09

* Test Improvement correction: Since there will be 25 minute lessons on Wednesday for ALL periods, the test retake can be done within your period time, but only then (no need for the 5th period passes).

10.11.09

* TESTS need to be improved. If you got a low score, be advised to take advantage of the following opportunities:

Monday and Tuesday: Post-Test Review activity.

Monday-Thursday: lunch break test re-take

(If you want it to be considered in your 5-week report - MONDAY is your only option!)

Wednesday (PSAT day) you may re-take the test during lunch and 5th period, but only if you get a pass from me in advance and only if your 5th period teacher approves. Obviously periods 5 and 6 do not need to bother. You guys can simply take the test again during your regular biology period. Several students in periods 5 and 6 did extremely well, and will be granted an interesting Extra Credit activity.

* Honors: Our first lunch meeting will be Tuesday, October 13th. You will be given a pass to go to lunch 5 minutes before the dismissal bell, so you can return with your lunch. Be advised, however, to bring your lunch from home to save time. On the Agenda: We will talk about the Sickle cell anemia mutation as an example of protein-to-symptom connections. You will also get additional information in regards to the next Unit+Science News Assignment.

* Regular / Non-Honors: Consider yourself invited to the meeting as well (no pass, though, sorry).

* Assignment Sheet for Cells and Membranes - in preparation..

10.04.09

* As we are approaching the end of out first unit, biomolecules and enzymes, it is time to be aware of our upcoming test, on Friday. Once you receive the handout of the Review Guide, please be advised to make notes that you can use during the test. You can use these notes during the test. Also, do not skip the following homework which is partially practice for the test!

* Periods 2,3, and 4 - please accept my apology for the confusion. Unlike what I said, the CHASEE exam this week is only for make-ups, and we will have regular lessons. This would give us more time to plan and discuss the enzyme lab.

* Please continue to check your grades on line. Several students found errors in teh recordings, and once they showed me the graded assignments, the points were added. Obviously, monitoring your grade should help you plan ahead before it is too late to correct.

* HONORS Students - go to "Biology Files 2009-2010", open the powerpoint about Sickle Cell Anemia, read it through and answer the questions in the end.

- Will be discussed shortly in class, and included in the material for the test.

09.13.09 For those of you who are anxious about the Scavenger Hunt, you may want to consider the following:

A. The due date for the Hunt is Friday Sept 25th, two weeks from last Friday.

B. Yes, you will be quized on each other's first names that day, but as I said - you have two weeks. Use the seating chart as a 'cheat sheet' (not to be used during the quiz).

C. If there is a problem logging into the grade checking, please try again later. There were some changes in the rosters that I did not include, and I will get to it only today afternoon. And then there are some probloems with the school's server, as well. My Apologies.

D. Regarding checking homework on line, I am still working on the first assignment sheet (weeks 1-3). Again -please wait with this until after tonight.

E. If you have any concerns, my direct email is mxd0543@lausd.net. So, as you see, having an email can help you succeed in our course (answer to one question in the Hunt).

09.09.09 Welcome to Biology A, Students and Parents / Guardians!

I am exciting about opening our school year with a NEW program for our year long biology course. Although the topics in biology that we will learned have not changed, our approach to learning these topics will be different. Along with two other biology teachers in the school, I have adopted the sepal program called "Science in Global Issues".

In this program, we will learn biology in context to critical, up to date issues that concern the individual, society, and the globe in terms of health, ethics and the environment. The intention is to bring the biology curriculum in context of relevant, often controversial issues. these issues are:

Cell Biology: World Health (Infections)

Genetics: Feeding the World (Genetically Modified Organisms)

Evolution: Maintaining Diversity (Biodiversity and Conservation)

Ecology: Energy Conservation

Human Biology: (will be taught the 'regular way').

As a science biology is all based on observations, measurements, and comparisons leading to logical conclusions.

While gaining knowledge about cells, heredity etc. you will practice the use of evidence to support your arguments. This requires observations (yes, labs, but not only 'wet' labs), and frequent group discussions. And here is the catch - unlike the usual course where a large amount of work is done side by side with the textbook, this year, the main work will be done collaboratively in class. Working well in a group setting will be critical for success. This also means that in order to benefit from the course, including getting a high grade, you MUST be present in class every day. Making up missing work will become much more involved than just answering textbook questions in a later date. You will need to show up after school or during lunch, along with at least one group member, and work on the missing lesson.

Homework will be given but at a different pace and different emphasis than in the past. It is too soon to predict how it will go, but the intention is to make due dates shorter, and give questions in smaller amount. I will use the textbook you have at home only when suitable.

As before, the use of the course website is very important for keeping yourself informed about assignments, upcoming topics, your grade, and websites that can help you in the material (not to mention make the material alive). I hope you will take advantage of the website, besides in the beginning Scavenger Hunt!

So, let's get on board, and explore the biology of global issues!

We will open the course with a short unit about Sustainability.

Start preparing by:

A. Purchasing and organizing your Composition NOTEBOOK.

B. Answering the SCAVENGER HUNT (resources, names and information of other students in the class).

GOOD LUCK (Although luck has nothing to do with it)!

Mrs. Michal Kreiselman, Ph.D.

Your biology teacher