Final Blog Reflection

Tuesday May 23, 2017 C.E.: 

Wow! It is already the end of the year and with that, the end of WAAS. That is only beginning to sink in. Summer is only 3 days away! However, my time at WAAS was great, largely because of the everyday excitement of science class. This year was probably the most eventful year yet. There is plenty to reflect on this year, the intriguing, exciting, and exotic.

Since the last blog entry, we have undergone some of the most advanced and interesting labs ever. Toward the end of the school year,we did some amazing dissections. We did a number of real dissections and some demo-dissections, which were just as cool. We worked our way up to dissecting a frog, with a starfish. The frog was really exciting, because its dissection is a staple to real biology. The organs inside looked very similar to ours. We could see the liver, heart, intestines, and spleen, among other things.

We also underwent some demonstrations of a kidney dissection and that of a cow eye, sheep brain, and an owl pellet. 

A sheep's brain

However, none of these dissections compare to the Fetal Pig Lab. It took many days. The first two days we inspected the exterior of the pig. We labelled diagrams of pigs based on what we saw. Then we spent a whole class skinning the belly of the pig. We made incisions to remove the skin without damaging the tissue underneath. The next day we cut through the muscle and bone underneath to access the body cavity. There we could observe and label the organs. 

At the end of the year we also underwent an embryology experiment. We incubated and hatched chickens. Over about three weeks we say the development of the eggs. Over time, we were able to "candle" them to monitor their progress. This consists of shining a bright light into the egg. The area where light did not shine through helped us see the progress that was being made. While candling were saw that some of the eggs did not develop correctly. One of the eggs was never fertilized and the other two did not develop correctly. However, all of the remaining nine hatched. In class we were able to see one of them with our own eyes! They stayed with us for a few days until they returned to the farm where they will be raised. 

My two favorite labs were the fetal pig and the frog lab. I liked the frog lab because it was the first "standard" biology dissection I have done. We were able to look at the organs of the frog and compare them to our diagrams one by one. This was really exciting. The pig lab was the best, however. This lab was the climax of our biology curriculum. We worked up to and prepared for the lab the entire time, and when we finally did the lab, it did not disappoint. This year I learned all about the building blocks of life, the classification of organisms, and how to conduct a dissection. At the beginning of biology, I was grossed out by dissections, but by the end, I was quite confident. I felt my biggest success this year was being able to overcome of the challenge of my disgust for preserved corpses, and finding the confidence for slicing them open. My biggest failure this year was probably a bad lab in the first part of the year, but I was able to recover with a series of good labs. 

When I started the year, I had a negative opinion of biology. I thought that chemistry was the only topic worth studying. However, this year has proved me wrong. I really enjoyed the biology we did and I look forward to more in high school. Next year I am going to high school. I am looking forward to taking chemistry, my favorite subject. I want to improve the quality of my labs and do a good job on each one. I want to get an A one the course and use the knowledge I have learned here and apply it in my new school. My favorite memories from WAAS were playing the review games about in our chemistry course two years ago and the burning magnesium demonstration. I feel like in the years since then, I have learned many things. I have become more organized, more focused, and I have learned many scientific topics. Science truly was the most educational subject in my time at WAAS. For future students in Biology, I advise that they review their labs before turning them in and to try new stuff! Biology is fun if you try new things. 

Thank you for reading my blog for two and a half years!

Goodbye!

Unit 7 - Ecology

Thursday April 6, 2017 C.E.:

Hurrah! We have cleared yet another unit of Biology. We are now less than fifty days from the end of school and that is including weekends and breaks. We also have spring break for another week and plenty of time to rest. The unit was probably one of the easier units and I found it quite fun. We have made it to a point where every lab gets better. The labs were probably the most exciting part of this unit, and maybe even the whole year. We have been able to do a wide variety of dissections.
We kicked the unit off with an Earthworm Dissection. We examined its internal organs and poked its gizzard. It was fascinating to complete a real dissection. We sketched the interior and exterior of the organism and labelled all the parts.

The major organs of an Earthworm

However, this lab is not all! We had plenty more exciting labs. We were able to observe the habits of live flatworms and looked at them under a microscope. We looked at their reactions to different stimuli and examined their bodies and structure.

Not only this, but we also took part in a squid dissection. This was by far my most favorite. The squid was very rubbery and elastic, and it was easy to cut it open without severing important organs. It had a lot of organs that were easy to see and it appeared quite intriguing with its arms and tentacles. We examined the heart, reproductive organs, beak and esophagus. The squid also has a vestigial structure of chitin called the pen which is on its back. However the most impressive was the ink sac. We wrote our names using the ink of the ink sac and the pen from the squid's back. What was also really interesting was its eye. After excising the cornea or the front of the eye, the lens was revealed. It was the size, shape, and color of a pearl. It was so strong and brittle that one would think it was a rock or shell. I found it very impressive.

Our final lab concerned Grasshoppers. Grasshoppers are remarkable. WE examined their four wings and elaborate leg structure. However, their mouth was the coolest. It is made up of so many parts! We looked at the interior of its head and its digestive structures. We were even able to identify its gender.

This unit was the most fun out of all of them. We studied population demographics and distribution, ecosystems, and food webs. We looked at the interactions between organisms, Nitrogen/Carbon/Phosphorus cycles, and we looked at age diagrams of populations. 

Unit 6 - Plants

Monday or March 13, 2017 C.E.:

We have now cleared the unit about plants. This unit was not so difficult. The unit consisted of two sections, Plant Form & Function and Plant Reproduction. In the first we talked about the parts of the stems, roots, and leaves. The most interesting was the leaves. The leaves have many layers in their thin, fine expanse. The top layer, the cuticle is a waxy coating designed to repel disease-causing agents and to keep in water. The epidermis helps protect the layers below. The palisade mesophyll comes next and ensures maximum absorption of sunlight. The spongy mesophyll below helps to exchange gases and keeps the leaf light. The vascular tissue inside the spongy mesophyll helps to bring water and minerals up and food down. The guard cells make up the stomata at the bottom of the leaf which help to release water and exchange gases.

We also studied plant reproduction. It was interesting to see that plants alternate their method of reproduction from producing spores, to producing gametes. We also discussed pollination and reproduction of flowering plants. What was also interesting was the way plants respond to stimuli such as gravity and light (tropism).

We also took part in a multitude of interesting labs. We began the unit with a dissection of a pickle:

Monocot vascular tissue

our first dissection! We examined the different parts of the pickle and practiced the classic I-shaped incision.

One really interesting lab was where we examined the different reproductive parts of flowers. We studied tulips, irises, and day lilies. We made sketches and studied each part of the flower. It was quite a fun lab!

Dicot vascular tissue

We also underwent a lab where we examined the different tissues of plants. We learned of two major classifications of plants, the monocots and the dicots. We learned how to tell them apart and their key differences. Dicots have great bundles of vascular tissue, which we looked at under the microscope. The monocots have small scattered bundles
of vascular tissue.

I really enjoyed this unit and it wasn't as difficult as the previous ones. I look forward to some hardcore dissection in the next few units!

Unit 5 - Diversity of Life

Monday or February 13, 2017 C.E.: 

We have just cleared our latest unit, the diversity of life. I feel like this unit binds what we have learned together and will serve as a base as we move on. We began the unit by studying the classification of organisms everywhere from domains to species. We examined the evolution of organisms and the history of life. Combining what we know from Darwin (natural selection) and Mendel (genetics) we were able to learn about evolution and speciation. Through these concepts I was able to learn about the different ways species are created and how evolution works. We learned about how the fossil record provides scientists with the information they need to conclude and prove evolution.  We also learned that because of DNA, we know that all life-forms come from a common ancestor. In addition to this, we were also taught the concept of artificial selection and adaptations.

The latter half of the unit was spent on viruses and bacteria. I learned that viruses are actually not considered living! I never knew that. Viruses reproduce using the Lytic and Lysogenic cycles. A virus will attach to a host cell and inject its DNA into its host cell. The genetic material will code for virus particles which will begin to be created by the cell. The viruses are assembled and leave the cell, rupturing it through lysis.

The Lytic/Lysogenic Cycle

In order to reinforce what we learned in the unit, we took part in a few great labs. In one, we simulated the spread of viruses, in which one person had a test tube with an acid and, through exchanging drops, infected half the class once we revealed who had the acid. We also underwent two amazing labs about microorganisms. In the first we cultivated soil bacteria in petri dishes with four pieces of paper in each dish. Each piece of paper was saturated in a disinfectant and one with water. We then compared the growth of the bacteria. In another lab we incubated bacteria swabbed from a variety of areas such as a computer keyboard, water fountain, the floor, and a phone. The petri dishes containing keyboard bacteria and locker handle bacteria looked the worst.

Biology is becoming more and more fun the farther we are going into it. In the next unit about plants, we will begin our first dissections! In the recent test, I did not score as high as I would have liked, but I will reexamine my study habits and improve this for next time. I can't wait for the units to come. They are just becoming more exciting as they move on.

Unit 4 - Heredity

Monday or January 2nd, 2017 C.E.: 

Happy New Year! Now we have officially cleared 2016! However, I have only really cleared 2016 after the midterms which are next week. I am sure I will do well on them, though, as we have a whole week to review.

The unit I am writing about is heredity. It was not as challenging or as long as the other units, but it was still quite interesting.

We talked about what genes are and how they are passed down expressed and passed down. We studied Austrian scientist Gregor Mendel and his study of pea plants. We looked at how traits are passed down from the two parents to the following two generations, called filials. Not only did we cover many interesting topics, we also had the opportunity to take part in a few advanced labs and activities.

In the first lab we extracted DNA from wheat germ. We used water and dish soap to soak and weaken the cell membrane. The alcohol helped the DNA precipitate. At the end of the lab we were able to spool a tiny white tendril of DNA onto a tooth pick.

The second lab was quite advanced. We cross bred 5 different mutations of fruit flies. The first group was the wild type. They are the "normal" types. The second group was the sepia group they had sepia eyes. The third had white eyes, the fourth smaller wings, and the fifth had legs instead of antennae. We studied sex-linked heredity and gene expression in this lab. We separated the male and females and then counted them after each generation. In order to count them, we sedated them with a chemical called FlyNap. This was probably the coolest part. We were not able to complete the lab since all the fruit fliehnbs died during Christmas break, but it was quite an educational lab in which I learned a lot.

We looked at the flies under the microscope in order to see their traits. 

We then sorted them with paintbrushes.

Unit 3 - Cells

Tuesday or November 8th, 2016 C.E.:

I just cleared the most difficult unit to date. The cells unit contained a vast amount of vocabulary and a vast amount of topics. It covered cell theory, the parts of a cell, cell division, and even cellular respiration and photosynthesis.

We learned about cell theory which tells us that all living things are made of one or more cells the cell is the basic unit of structure, physiology, and organization in living things It states that the cell is the basic unit of structure, physiology, and organization in living things.It also states that all cells are organized into tissue which is organized into organs, which is organized into systems, which are all part of the body. It also states that every cell arises from a pre-existing cell. 

We also learned about the two types of cells. They are Prokaryiotic and Eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotes include single celled organisms such as Bacteria and Archaea. Eukaryotic cells are primarily multi cellular organisms. They divide through mitosis and have an area of membrane bound DNA called a nucleus. Prokaryotes divide through binary fission. 

We also talked about reproduction.We learned about the phases of mitosis and the process of binary fission. We also talked about the pros and cons of assexual and and sexual reproduction. 

The unit was finished up by the studying of cellular respiration and the mitochondrion and the study of photosynthesis. There were many interesting steps for each process that we had the opportunity to learn about.  

Not only did we learn about a ton of interesting material, we were also able to take part in a number of incredible labs. The first lab was to help learn how to use the microscope. The second was more in depth where we took a look at cells. We looked at animal and plant cells and drew them and their organelles. In another lab we simulated diffusion through membranes. We used dialysis tubing and put a starch solution on the inside and iodine on the outside in one beaker. In the other beaker we put glucose solution in one bag and normal water in the other. After we left them for a day, the Iodine seeped into the bag causing the starch solution to be purple. The sugar seeped out and the water on the outside tested positive. We talked about why this happens and how smaller molecules can go through membranes easier. It was all very interesting.

Plant cells and their chloroplasts

Dialysis tubing in beakers

 
Now we are getting into the real stuff of biology and it is way more fun than I would have expected one year ago. I am more motivated and interested in the new material, so much more that I studied quite a lot on my own time. I even created my own set of notes! I really look forward to the next unit about genetics and I hope it will be just as fun as the cells unit. 

Until next time!

Unit 2 - The Building Blocks of Life

Saturday, October 1, 2016 C.E.:

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.

Canoeing at the camp

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. 

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. 

A chart of some of the things we had to know