THIS WEEK IN SCIENCE

Where are we in the textbook? You should have read up until the end of section two by the start of this week!!


THIS WEEK:

• We began section 3 on DNA and genetics
• Finished section 2 on reproduction; you should be an expert on reproduction in plants and animals! Okay, maybe not an expert...but close!

HOMEWORK:

• You should already have handed in your final copy of "Our Ecosystem" assignment/lab
• Read page 38-54 in your textbook
• Complete definitions of key words (words in notes)
• Complete open book quiz (due Thursday -9e/9b or Friday 9h
• Study for quiz on section 2-3, which will be Monday or Tuesday depending on your class

OUR ECOSYSTEM:

• Last week we took our learning outside
• We reviewed genetic diversity and species diversity out in a real ecosystem
• our class identified common plant and animal species in the ecosystem
• We recognized examples of interdependence and symbiosis in our ecosystem
• Reproduction was learned about by looking at real organisms

Please view the below video for a history of DNA and a brief overview of this fascinating topic:

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/24990-genetics-understanding-dna-video.htm

Please view this video on cellular division:

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/17574-understanding-cells-how-cells-reproduce-video.htm

FALL IS OFFICIALLY HERE!

Thats right, fall is officially here! That means every day until December 21st will be shorter! How does the seasonal change affect ecosystems?

This week in Science:

• We finished section 2 of our biological diversity unit; please read all pages up to page 37
• Wrote notes on section 2
• Reproduced a spider plant asexually and began lab to observe how plant will produce roots

Homework: Complete questions on page 36 and 37. Page 36 question 1, 2 and page 37 question 1, 2, 5, 8, 10. Also complete the defenitions for all the key term from the notes!

Key terms you should define: continuous variation, discrete variation, heritable characteristics, non-heritable characteristics, anther, asexual reproduction, binary fission, budding, cleavage, cross-fertilization, cross-pollination, egg cells, embryo, fertilization, gametes, ovary, ovule, pistil, pollen, pollination, sexual reproduction, sperm cells, spores, stamen, stigma, style, vegetative reproduction, zygote

Due Wedsneday for 9E and 9B and Due Thursday for 9H

Last week:

• We finished section 1 and had a quiz on section 1
• Covered important topics such as: variability, symbiosis and natural selection

WELCOME TO GRADE 9!

WHAT HAVE WE STUDIED SO FAR?\

• Reviewed lab safety and WHMIS
• Discussed the meaning of science? What is the scientific process, what is scientific knowledge etc.
• Learned three different types of variables: controlled, manipulated, and responding variables; we talked about how we could best compare an electric car vs a gas car, and completed a table that posed several scientific problems (you had to identify variables)
• Re-introduced food chains and trophic levels; we have begun a food chain activity which is due Wednesday for 9-H and Thursday for 9-E/B
• Read textbook page 4-14
• Wrote notes on Biological Diversity and the classification of life on earth (1-1 in your text) and also began notes on topic 1.2 Interdependence and 1.3 Variation between species

Reminder:

1. Variables sheet was due last week; you need to show me this for marks if you didn't already do so
2. Food chain activity/questions is due for your next class (homework check)
3. Keep up with reading your textbook and writing notes!!!