We went on a really cool field trip to a Hendersonville, NC, which is in the mountains. It was called Mountain Trail Outdoor School. There we learned how to build fires and stay safe in the wilderness. We also learned leadership skills and worked together as a team. I thought the trip was very fun and was definitely worth going to.
Also, another unit has come and gone and school is starting to be a routine again. This unit was quite difficult because of the vast amount of vocabulary we had to learn. We learned about the atom and chemical bonds for the first part of the unit. This wasn't very challenging for us because we have already taken chemistry. We reviewed ionic and covalent bonds and the structure of atoms. We also talked about ions, pH, and the characteristics of water. The quiz for this section was very easy because we had already learned this before.
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| Canoeing at the camp |
However, the test on the rest of the unit was not so easy. We learned about the four main types of organic molecules. They are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. We had to know everything related top to these things such as their function, their chemical composition, the name of their monomer, and the name of their polymer.
Carbohydrates serve as structural support in exoskeletons (chitin) and plants (cellulose). They also provide energy for animals. One molecule, called a monomer, of a carbohydrate is called a monosaccharide. Two molecules are called disaccharides. A polymer (many molecules) of a carbohydrate is called a polysaccharide. They are made up of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon.
Lipids serve as a energy storage, insulation, and cushioning. They also serve a key role in cell membranes. They are also used in the covering of plant leaves. They are made up of fatty acids and glycerol. Lipids are either fats, oils, or waxes. They are a contain much more energy than carbohydrates.
Proteins are extremely important. They serve in a lot of different areas of cells. They regulate what goes in and out of cells, they perform lots of cell functions. They also help build muscle and help as catalysts. (Enzymes)
Nucleic acids help store and replicate genetic information. They are made up of RNA and DNA. Their monomer is on nucleotide. They are vital for life.
This was quite a difficult unit, but that means I learned a lot. I look forward to biology and the next unit.
Nucleic acids help store and replicate genetic information. They are made up of RNA and DNA. Their monomer is on nucleotide. They are vital for life.
This was quite a difficult unit, but that means I learned a lot. I look forward to biology and the next unit.
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| A chart of some of the things we had to know |
