Mitosis

Make sure you understand the phases of Mitosis for tomorrow's class!  

This is an animal cell undergoing mitosis like we discussed in class today. Mitosis is when a cell divides into two and FORMS TWO EXACT NUCLEI.  After the nuclei are formed, the rest of the cell splits (the cytoplasm and cell structures are divided up) through "CYTOKINESIS" (important term).  Remember, most of the time, a cell is in Interphase doing normal cell functions (also growing and duplicating it's DNA).  But, when it's time to divide it begins the process of Mitosis as shown here:



Image taken from: accessexcellence.org


Plant cells also undergo mitosis, but it is different because the plant cell forms a "cell plate" instead of undergoing cytokinesis!


On Thursday in class you will be looking at Onion Plant Cells going through Mitosis. You will have to identify three different stages for a lab grade.  If you can correctly point all FIVE phases of Mitosis, you can count that towards 10 points of your cell project part B! :)


Here are some examples of what you might see:

Image take from: faculty.cbu.ca


We talked in class about how you have mitosis going on in your body cells all the time.  That is a good form of mitosis, but mitosis can be bad if a "bad" cancer cell is undergoing mitosis.  The definition of cancer is "a disease in which some cells in the body divide uncontrollably."  

Cells: Structure and Function

Hopefully, your cell project is going well and you are starting to "get it".  Cells really are similar to a city with many different jobs that have to be done.  Cells are just smaller and have organelles instead!  If you had to compare them, you could say the nucleus is like the "mayor" or "boss" of the city,  the lysosomes are like the "trash collectors", the endoplasmic reticulum is the "highway", etc.  Tomorrow is our quiz.  Here is a good website to use to study...http://www.neok12.com/Cell-Structures.htm  We did some of these quizzes in class.  I think you'll find them helpful!

Using the Scientific Method

How does temperature affect the growth rate of sponge critters?  We're about to find out!

Metrics!!!

Length

Kilograms, Milliliters, Centimeters, and degrees Celsius are the mainstays of science!  No more feet and inches or ounces in here!  Scientists use only the metric system.  So, we've been practicing this week with the metric side of the ruler, balances, and graduated cylinders.  I think we've got it!

Mass

Nice job guys.  Good lab techniques!

How tall are you in centimeters?

Remember, no inches in science!

Volume

Looking for the meniscus

Having way too much fun!

Metrics is easy 

Teamwork

Welcome to 7th Grade Biology Class!

The first day of class is always one of my favorites! The "What is it?" Lab allows me to see what you know and I always enjoy the responses! I think one of the funniest ones I saw today was after one of the groups looked at the model of body fat and said they thought it was "vomit"!!! For your "homework" tonight you were supposed to read this blog...I want you to read the "Classroom Information" to the right and write down the 3 most important things you learned from it! You will earn 5 points for bringing this to class with you Thursday! I hope you enjoyed Science class today! We have many great things to learn this year! Mrs. Dokken :)

Things to do if you're bored this summer!

It's that time!  S-U-M-M-E-R!!!!!  Yea!  I know you have lots of swimming, sleeping, sports, and more swimming on your list of things to do this summer, but just in case you get bored, here are some super cool biology games that I found for you to check out!

http://www.anatomyarcade.com/