Monday, February 15, 2016

End of Trimester for Science Classes

Hi folks,

Just wanted to let folks know that next week is the last week for this trimester of classes. This means that any late homework assignments are due the week of February 22 to the 26.

If you aren't sure what assignments you're missing, feel free to send me an email.

Stay warm!

Jim Mueller

Monday, February 8, 2016

2/8 Biology update and homework due 2/15

Hi folks,

We started this week with a bit of a review based on the some issues I saw on this last quiz.

We then started talking about classification systems and, specifically, about the different kingdoms.

Next week we will do more with taxonomy.

Homework for this week is to:
Read pages 337 to 350 in the book
Do questions page 352 #'s 5-16

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Fwd: Peppered Moth Simulation

Hi folks,

A link to the peppered moth simulation has been found!!! Now you can do that part of the homework!

http://biologycorner.com/worksheets/pepperedmoth.html

Monday, February 1, 2016

2/1 Biology Update and homework due 2/8

Hi folks,

Today we continued to focus on evolution with a great computer simulation that really helped to see evolution in action.

Here's the link to the simulation we used in class.

Here are the questions we answered using the simulation.

1.  Using the program, describe genetic drift.

2.  Describe what is happening as far as genetic drift goes.

3.  Using the creatures, describe evolution.

4.  What kind of selection is being displayed by this program (stabilizing, directional or disruptive)? Do the settings change this answer?

5.  What happens when you change the mutation rate?  Does the population become more "fit" faster or slower?

6.  What happens to the population when you increase the number of cycles.  (What do the cycles represent)?

7. What, in the real world, would effect the selection rate?

For homework I'd like you to compete this "web quest".  There are quite a few interesting and, dare I say it, "fun" things here to help you understand evolution even deeper than you do now.  (At one point it mentions "your text book".  Don't worry about that, they are using a different text than we do.)  If you do this properly it may take you longer than usual so be sure to allow some extra time.