Honors Biology

Reptile Podcast

2006-05-24T12:36:00.000-07:00

Here is the class’s first attempt at a Podcast. The class had the unique opportunity to Interview World renowned reptile expert form the National Geographic Channel, Dr. Brady Barr. Each group had a set of questions to ask the expert. The interview was then used in a fictitious radio station broadcast. We had allot of fun with the project and want to thank Dr. Brady Barr publicly for offering his time and expertise.

Click here to listen to group one's podcast consisting of Nicole, John Amber and Andrew interview Dr. Barr about the "American Crocodile."
Click here to listen to group two's podcast consisting of Sheena, Cresheva and Briancca interview Dr. Barr about the "American Alligator".

26.4 Phylum Nematoda

2006-05-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

Phylum Nematoda
*The phylum Nematoda is made up of roundworms with long slender bodies that taper at both ends.
*Roundorms are among several phyla of pseudocoelomates.
*Roundworms have a digestive tract with two openings.
*Most species are free-living; some are parasites.
Ascaris
*The genus Ascaris infects pigs,horses,and humans.
*The eggs enter hosts through contaminated food or water, develope into larvae in the intestines, and can infect the lungs.
*The eggs are spread in the hosts' feces.
Hookworms
*Hookworms are intestinal parasites that feed on blood.
*The eggs produce larvae in soil, and the larvae enter hosts through the feet.
*Hookworms infect about one billion people worldwide.
Trichinella
*The genus Trichinella infects humans and other mammals.
*Adults live in intestines and larvae form cysts in muscles.
*People usually become infected from undercooked pork.
*Infection causes the disease trichinosis.
Other Parasitic Roundworms
*Pinworms, genus Enterobius, are common parasites of humans. They do not cause any serious disease.
*Filarial worms infect many people in tropical countries.
The most dangerous ones infect the lymphatic system and may cause elephantiasis.

THE NEXT BLOGGER WILL BE JE'LISA BAILEY

26.3 Platyhelminthes

2006-05-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

Structure and Function of Flatworms
*The phylum Platyhelminthes inclides organisms called flatworms.
*They are more complex than sponges but are the simplest animals with bilateral symmetry.
*They are acoelomates (no body cavity)
*They exhibit cepholization (have a head)
Class Turbellaria-Planarians
Digestive and Excretion in Planarians
*The most familiar turbellarians are the freshwater planarians.
*Planarians feed on decaying plant or animal matter and small organisms.
*Food is ingested through the pharynx
*Planarians eliminate excess water through a network of excretory tubules.
*Each tubule is connected to several flame cells where water is excreted.
Nueral Control in Planarians
*The Planarians nervous system is more complex than the nerve net of cnidarians.
*The cerebral ganglia serveas a simple brain.
*A planarian's nervous system gives it the ability to learn.
*Planarians sense light with eyespots.
*Others sensory cells resoond to touch, water currents, and chemicals in the environment.
Reproduction in Planarians
*Planarians are hermaphrodites that can reproduce sexually or asexually.
*During asexually reproduction, their body undergoes fission and the two halves regenerate missing parts.
Class Trematoda
*The class Trematoda consist of parasistic flukes.
*Some are endoparasites;others are ectoparasites.
Structure of Flukes
*A Fluke clings to the tissue of its host by on anterior sucker and a ventral sucker.
*A Fluke's nervous system is similar to a planarian's but simpler.
Reproduction and Life Cycle of Flukes
*Most Flukes have highly developed reproductive systems and are hermaphroditic.
*Flukes have complicated life cycles the involve more than one host species.
*For example, the trematocle blood flukes of the genus Schistosome use humans as a primary host. They can cause schistosomiasis.
Class Cestoda
*About 5,000 species of tapeworms make up the class cestoda.
*Tapeworms can live in the intestines of almost all vertebrates.
Structure of Tapeworms
*Tapeworms are surrounded by a tegument.
*They attach to the host w/a scoley.
*The body is a series of many.
Sections called proglotius
*Tapeworms have no light-sensing organs,no results,no gastrovascular cavity,and no digestive organs.
Reproduction and Life Cycle of Tapeworms
*Nearly all tapeworms are hermaphrodites.
*New proglottius are added to the front of the tapeworm. Older proglottius grew,mature, and begin producing eggs.
*Eggs in one proglottius,are usually fertilized by sperm from a different proglottius,possibly a different individual.
*An example is the beef tapeworm, Tuenia saginatus. Its primary host is a human and its intermediate host is a cow. Its larvae form cysts in the muscle tissue of the cow.

Killer Jellies

2006-04-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

Explain how the killer box jellies can cause death in unsuspecting swimmers.

Cnidarians

2006-04-24T17:18:00.000-07:00

BODY PLAN OF CNIDARIANS
- Animals in the phylum Cnidaria are radially symmetrical aquatic invertebrates that are more complex than the sponges. They have tissues and simple organs.
- The cnidarian body is either a sessile polyp or a swimming medusae. Some cnidarians alternate between both types during their life cycles.

The body of a cnidarian consists of two cell layers:
1) an outer epidermis
2) an inner gastrodermis
- The layers are separated by the mesoglea.
- The gastrovascular cavity has a single opening (the mouth) surrounded by tentacles.

FEEDING AND DEFENSE IN CNIDARIANS
- Cnidarians have cells called cnidocytes.
- Each cnidocyte contains a nematocyst.
- When a cnidocyte is stimulated. its nematocyst (stinger) ejects a filament that can paralyze or ensnate prey.

NERVOUS SYSTEM IN CNIDARIANS
- The cnidarian nervous system is a diffuse web of interconnected nerve cells called a nerve net.

CLASSIFICATION OF CNIDARIANS
- The three classes of cnidarians are:
1) Class Hydrozoa
a) This class includes Obelia, man-o-war, and the hydra.
b) Hydrozoans may live as polyps, medusae, or mixed colonies.

2) Class Scyphozoa
a) This class includes jellyfish.
b) Scyphozoans spend most of their lives as medusae.

3) Class Anthzoa
a) This class includes anemones and corals.
b) Anthzoa only live as polyps.

Today's objectives were: Complete 26.2 discussion, 26.2 Cnidarian Section Review, and TEST THURSDAY on 26.1 AND 26.2

The next blogger is Ashley

Sponges

2006-04-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

What are Sponges?

-Sponges are in the phylum Porifera which means pore-bearer.
-Sponges are asymmetrical aquatic animals that have a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.
-Most sponges live in a marine environment
100 of 5000 live in fresh water
BODY PLAN
-Sponges are sessile invertebrates that have no true tissue or organs. A simple sponge is hollow cylinders.
-The body wall is made of two layers of cells seperated by jellylike substance called meshyl.
Choanocyes-is the inner layer that draws water.
Ostia(pores)-the penetrate the body wall. Water leaves through the osculum.
-The body is supported by a skeleton made of spongion spicules or both.
*Pore cell(ostio)-Bring water carrying food and oxygen into the sponge.
*Epithelial Cells-thin,flat cells control opening in pore cells.
*Colar cells(choanocytes)-Flagellated cells that line the inner surface of a sponge.
*Amoebocytes-locted between the two cell layers, carry nutrients and aid in reproduction.
*Spicules-form the hand support system of sponges.
FEEDING AND DIGESTION OF SPONGES
Sponges can reproduce asexually through:
producing buds or gemmules
regenrration of missing parts
Budding new sponges that break off and form new sponges
They reproduce sexualy through the joining off egg and sperm.
Most sponges are hermaphrodites, which can produce both egg and sperm.
The next blogger is Nicole.

zygote development

2006-03-30T12:26:00.000-08:00

zygote development
Originally uploaded by rfullington.

What does the illustrated process show about the differences in patterns of embryology among kinds of animals?

Hello. Here are your notes from today's lesson.

2006-03-30T12:25:00.000-08:00

Today in class we discussed Section 2 of Chapter 25.

Symmetry- A balance in proportions of an object or organisms; close agreement in size, shape, and relative position of parts arranged on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane or around a central point.
There are three different types of symmetry. Spherical, Radial, and Bilateral symmetry.

Spherical symmetry- occurs when any plane divides the body into mirrored halves.
Radial symmetry- occurs when any longitudinal plane passes through a central axis divides the body into mirrored halves.
Bilateral symmetry- occurs when an organism can be divided down its length(midline) into similar right and left halves.

Asymmetry- is an animal that has an irregular shape. (has no symmetry)

Body Regions
Planes of animal symmetry

Body Regions

Anterior indicates the head end; the opposite or tail end is Posterior.
Dorsal is the back side and Ventral is the front or belly side.
Medial is the midline of the body; Lateral is the sides.
A Frontal plane divides the body into Dorsal and Ventral halves.
A Sagittal plane divides the body into right and left halves.
A Transverse plane separates Anterior and Posterior portions.
In vertebrates, Pectoral is the chest region or area supported by forelimbs.
Pelvic refers to the hip region or area supported by hind limbs.

Comparison of body plans.

Coelom- a fluid filled space

3 Types of Body Plans

Acoelomate- no cavity.(flatworm)
Pseudocoelomate- False body cavity, surrounded on one side by mesoderm ( round worm)
Coelomate- true body cavity. surrounded on both sides by mesoderm ( segmented worm)

Animal

Exoskeleton- Hard, waxy covering on the outside of the body that provides a framework for support. Exoskeletons are found on animals that are invertebrates. Their exoskeletons Do not grow with the animal, so they have to shed it. Exoskeletons are a good source of protection.

Molting- The process of shedding the exoskeleton.

Endoskeleton- internal skeleton that provides support inside an animals body. Endoskeletons are found within vertebrates, animals with a backbone. and it grows with the animal.

For homework Do the section 2 assessment for chapter 25.

Next person to scribe will be Nicole Norton.. Love you all.... See ya. O, and Nicole have FUN with the next scribe......

What is an animal? Ambie is about to tell all.

2006-03-28T12:30:00.000-08:00

1. Typical Animal Characteristics

a. Eukaryotic- cells contain membrane bound organelles.
b. Multicellular- cells form tissues and organs.
c. Heterotrophic- depends directly or indirectly as autotrophs.
d. No cell wall (plants do have a cell wall)
e. Animals are motile and sessile (motile means they move, they don't move if their sessile, although most animals that are sessile where motile as larva)

Fertilization- The union of male and female gametes. may occur internally or externally. Most animals produce sexually. One type of animal that dosen't produce sexually is the Hydra.

2. Cell Division
a. Blastulation- Clevage results in a clustor of cells called a blastula or blastocyct. Cells arrange themselves around a fluid filled cavity called a blastocoel.
b. Gastulation- The formation of germ layers. Develope into all the different tissues in your body. The gastrula is a structure made up of two layers of cells with an opening at one end. gastrulation converts the spherical blastula into a more complex configuartion of three germ layers.
c. Endoderm- gives rise to the epithelium of the body and nervous system.
d. Mesoderm- gives rise to the muscular, circulatory, excretory, respratory and reproductive system.
e. Endoderm- gives rise to the lining of the digestive track and organs associated with digestion.

In some animals, the opening in the gastrula becomes the mouth (protostome) in others it becomes the anus (deuterostome) humans form their anus first. Coach says some people stay that way, but I don't see that in the book.

3. Continued Growth and Development

a. Cells in developing embryos continue to change shape and specialize to perform different functions.
b.animals embryos develope into either a Juvenile a smaller version of the adult, or a Larva the intermediate stage of an adult. Larva don't look anything like the parent basically.

For the homework, do the section assessment on page 699, problems 1-6. Do not write the questions.

Hope you enjoyed reading my notes I know I enjoyed writing them, and the new scribe is Rachel!!! Okay luv ya everybody bye!!!

Whatz Good Class? This is the new scribe by Taylor

2006-03-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

Friday in class we made DNA Origami or at least started it. To me it was straight, i didn't finish so i don't really know how its going to look afterwards. But i am excited to see, also after we finish them we're going to hang them up.

Eeny, Meeny, Miny..Domino?

2006-03-03T11:53:00.000-08:00

OK, some alleles are dominant and show up...some allelesshow a mixture of the combination. What happened here with this domino chicken? Both alleles are expressed!

Dihybrid Cross

2006-03-02T12:27:00.000-08:00

Give me the phenotypic ratio of the following Dihybrid cross.

Tall-dominant
Dwarf-recessive
Purple Flowers-dominant
White-recessive

Cross a plant that is heterozygous for both traits with a plant that is homozygous tall with white flowers.

Is Dominant Dominant all of the time??

2006-03-02T11:29:00.000-08:00

We have been talking about dominant and recessive genes. The dominant allele is expressed (shows) in the presence of a recessive allele. How can a white FOur-o'clock and a violet Four-o'clock produce a purple Four-o'clock when crossed?

Hey! Here's your new scribe.

2006-03-02T08:03:00.000-08:00

Mendel's law of independent assortment:

Genes for different traits are inherited independently of one another.
The alleles can combine in different ways.

Example: TT, Tt, tt

-Mendel crossed pure-bred tall and pure-bred short pea plants.

-The offspring Mendel referred to as a hybrid, often called a "mutt'', it is the offspring of parents with different forms of trait.

-Mendel's F2 Generation led to his discover of a factor being passed through the generation.

-In 1905 Ronald Punnett discovered a way to predict expected gentotypes offspring.

Phentotypic ratio- 3 tall: 1 short
Genotypic ratio- 1TT: 2Tt: 1tt
Homozygous means same such as TT or tt.
Heterozygous means different sach as Tt.

-Taylor will be the new scribe!

What happened to my hair?

2006-03-01T12:30:00.000-08:00

What is the name for pattern baldness? Explain, using genetics, why more men experience male pattern baldness than women.
Can you list any other genetic traits or disorders that work the same way as pattern baldness?

Hey Class!!

2006-02-28T14:26:00.000-08:00

Here are the notes in case you missed class today.

What is DNA?
- DNA is the code of life. DNA contains the blueprints for the cell’s proteins. The proteins are then used to carry out critical functions within the cell.

What is the shape of DNA?
- DNA is in the shape of a double helix.

What is DNA made up of?
- DNA is a polymer made up of repeating units called nucleotides. Nucleotides then join together to form long chains of nucleic acids.

The four types of Nitrogen bases found in DNA are: Thymine, Guanine, Cytosine, Adenine. They connect together as: Adenine connects to Thymine. Guanine connects to Cytosine. It would be represented as A-T and G-C.

Traits are the characteristics that are inherited. The passing of traits from parents to offspring is called heredity.

How can traits be passed on?
- Asexually- Results in offspring that are identical to the parent. Individuals are a product of mitosis.
- Sexually- The donation of a gamete (sex cell) by each parent. The resulting zygote will have characteristics of each parent.

Why do we resemble our parents?
- Gregor Mendel was the first person to succeed in predicting how traits would be transmitted from one generation to the next.

How was Mendel able to solve this problem of heredity?
-He used the following rules called “Mendel’s Rule of Unit Factors” :
- Mendel concluded that each organism has 2 factors that control each of its traits. These factors are called GENES.
- Genes exist in an alternate form called alleles.
- Alleles that express the trait are called Dominant. They are expressed with at least one Dominant allele ( TT or Tt ).
- Alleles that do not express the trait are called Recessive. They are expressed with two Recessive allele ( tt ).

Mendel used Pea Plants….. why?
- They reproduce sexually.
- They have 2 distinct sex cells ( gametes ) .
- The gene combination an organism contains is its genotype – Tt
- The way an organisms looks is its phenotype.

-An organism is homozygous for a trait if its two alleles for a trait are the same ( TT or tt).
-An organism is heterozygous for a trait if its two alleles for the trait are different. ( Tt )

Mendel’s laws of separation:
-The alleles separate when gametes are formed. This means that if you have TT and tt, when they combine they will form Tt.

-Sheena will be the new Scribe.

Hollywood

2006-01-27T12:16:00.000-08:00

What do you know about claymation?

What do you want to know about claymation?

Next week we will begin a claymation project to demonstrate the steps of cellular division. Post your comments about the project here!

Lets Blog!!

2005-12-15T09:53:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys! I am glad you found our blog. This is the place you can go to talk about what you learned in class or to find out what you missed if you are absent. You will find links to class assignments, online quizzes or study tips.

First, we need to understand and implement some guidelines for our class blog. Below are some guidelines I implemented from a Math teacher in Canada, Mr. Kuroptawa and Bud the teacher. He has given us permission to use the same guidelines for our class. I see no need to reinvent the wheel when the guidelines he uses cover all the bases.

Mr. K has this to say about blogging:

Blogging is a very public activity. Anything that gets posted on the internet stays there. Forever. Deleting a post simply removes it from the blog it was posted to. Copies of the post may exist scattered all over the internet. I have come across posts from my students on blogs as far away as Sweden! That is why we are being so careful to respect your privacy and using first names only. We do not use pictures of ourselves. If you really want a graphic image associated with your posting use an avatar -- a picture of something that represents you but IS NOT of you. Two teachers in the U.S.A. worked with their classes last year to come up with a list of guidelines for student bloggers. One of them, Bud The Teacher, has these suggestions, among others:

1. Students using blogs are expected to treat blogspaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not appropriate for our blog. While we encourage you to engage in debate and conversation with other bloggers, we also expect that you will conduct yourself in a manner reflective of a representative of this school.

2. Never EVER EVER give out or record personal information on our blog. Our blog exists as a public space on the Internet. Don’t share anything that you don’t want the world to know. For your safety, be careful what you say, too. Don’t give out your phone number or home address. This is particularly important to remember if you have a personal online journal or blog elsewhere.

3. Again, your blog is a public space. And if you put it on the Internet, odds are really good that it will stay on the Internet. Always. That means ten years from now when you are looking for a job, it might be possible for an employer to discover some really hateful and immature things you said when you were younger and more prone to foolish things. Be sure that anything you write you are proud of. It can come back to haunt you if you don’t.

4. Never link to something you haven’t read. While it isn’t your job to police the Internet, when you link to something, you should make sure it is something that you really want to be associated with. If a link contains material that might be creepy or make some people uncomfortable, you should probably try a different source.