DNA structure and Homework for Monday

On friday we began talking about the Structure of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The 3 main parts of a DNA molecule are:



1. The Sugar: Ribose







2. A Phosphate group:  (what do you think the X stands for?)







3. A Nitrogenous Base (Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine and Uracil - this is a special one that is in RNA only)

One of each of these together makes up a Nucleotide:

As we begin to build a DNA molecule, how are the nucleotides connected to each other to build the rung of the ladder? 

Hydrogen Bonds! What are the numbers of the Carbons in the ribose sugar? What Carbon is the "1st" Phosphate group connected to? The 5' (five prime) Carbon. The phosphate of the next nucleotide is connected by the 3' Carbon. This is way when we discuss DNA we say it goes in the 5' to 3' direction. How are the nucleotides bonded to each other (i.e. the sides of the ladder)? Covalent bonds.

Why would you want the middle to be Hydrogen, and therefore weaker, but the sides be Covalent bonds (stronger)? 

Finally, your homework for Monday is to continue with the handout on DNA structure and replication. If you finish that one you should then begin the 2nd DNA handout (it has the website from BioTeach on the top).

Handouts for 3-28-13

Here are the 2 files from today on the 3 major experiments and DNA Structure/Replication

3 major experiments in confirming dna is the genetic material from lvilleDrFox

and

Griffiths and Hershey/Chase Experiments

Today you had a quiz on cell parts and atoms, molecules. We then started on your handout on the 3 major experiments that determined DNA is the genetic material. What other molecules were thought to be the material of heredity before DNA?

Here is the video we watched today. Make sure you are familiar with the 1st the experiments. Griffiths, Avery, and Hershey/Chase. We will likely use the video again when we move to DNA structure History.

Your homework for tomorrow is to complete the Microscope lab below is a video to remind yourself the proper use of a microscope.




Finally, Watch the crashcourse video on DNA structure and replication and begin working on your handout from class. I will create a new post with both handouts

Molecules, Atoms, etc

Basic Ideas in Chemistry.

What is Matter? - anything that takes up space and has mass. Can you give some examples?

What is an element? - pure substance that can not be broken down into other substances by chemical means.

What are the most important ones in living systems? C, H, N, O Why are these the most important? What molecules are they involved in?



Describe what an atom is and what it contains - smallest part of an element. Can you draw a picture of an atom and label the parts we discussed?

What about bonds? - Process of transferring electrons creates attraction which holds the atoms together.
Covalent vs. Hydrogen vs. Ionic bonds?

what is a molecule? - 2 or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.

Saturday and Review of organelles

Today we reviewed the parts of the cell and went over your 'cell wanted' ads. Try to connect the parts of the cells with items/things that help you remember their function.

We also went over different kinds of cells and how their structure helps their function.

For homework you have to read 4.1-4.3 and answer the questions in your handout. Below is a video to help with (if you watch, only watch to 8:00). Don't forget to bring your computers to class on Monday!

Chapter 6 beginning organelle types

Today in class you started reading chapter 6 in your textbook and reviewed similar questions from the video and with your partner should have come up with definitions and things that are similar around Lawrenceville.





For example what around L'ville serves the same type of function as the nucleus? Is it different in animal vs plant cells? What about prokaryotes vs eukaryotes

We also talked about cell theory, which is? How was it discovered? Is it "proven" that all living things are made up of cells?


We also talked about why compartmentalization is important: cells need to have separate membrane bound structures (organelles) to do different functions at the same time (in which type of organism? Prok or Euk?).

What about specialization? allows different shapes/types of cells or organelles to have different functions that only they do

Size and shape - having different size and shape of cells allows for specialization and have their form 'match' their function.

 See if you can identify examples of cells with each structure below: You can use the images below
                         High vs Low surface area
                         Block vs Web
                         Smooth vs Appendage
                         Connected vs Free
                         Motile vs Sessile
                                                         
                               
                                                                      Sperm Cell

                                                                                                                                  Cardiac Muscle

             Neuron

Skin Cells

Blood Cells

New Term... NEW Question!

As we begin Spring term, we move into our "last question" of 2FS which is....

Is Biology Destiny?

We will start to try to answer this question by looking at cells and then DNA, proteins and traits.

Let's begin by watching the following video for your next class day. (Don't worry if you do not know all the terms. We will be going over much of them during the term (ex. transcription/translation). For the organelle question. you can use the crash course video if you would like.


 Answer the following questions.

1. Why are cells small and how does it relate to your last term?

2. How did scientists discover cells? What technology allowed them to see cells for the first time?

3. What are the 2 types of cells and give an example for each?

4. What are the similarities and differences of these two cell types?

5. What are organelles?

6. What are the 13 different organelles? Give a BRIEF description of each one.


Here is a 2nd video about cells if you want to review (it's a crash course video)