30 November 2009

• The test on Organic Compounds and Enzymes is postponed until Monday (you’re welcome).
• This week we will cover a few more things before the test: Phospholipids (a type of lipid that I need to mention), Nucleic Acids (the fourth major class of organic compounds), and Enzymes (a class of proteins).
• I’ve scheduled an Enzyme Lab for Friday.
• For Thursday, please look over the problem set that I’ve given you. I will not be collecting the packet. At this point, you should have read Chapter 5 in your book. The less you read the more difficulty it is for you to follow the material in class.
• The link to the S.T.E.P web site is included in the previous posting.

Science, Technology and Engineering Program 2010

Masconomet Regional High School S.T.E.P Challenge

Event Date:  March 4, 2010

http://sites.google.com/site/mascostep2010/home/challenges

OVERVIEW (WORD Document):

STEP Activity for Biology 2010

20 November 2009

• Due Monday 23 December 2009
• Read over the lab handout (A Pool of Yellow Evidence)
• Read 5.1 – 5.4 (5.1 and 5.2 are review for you. This should clarify some things).
• Complete the remaining concept maps on lipids and nucleic acids. Use the internet, book or my notes to complete the assignment.
• Read the article “What the Food Industry Doesn’t Want You To Know.” Pages 100-102. Make a simple list of 10-15 things that surprised you about the article. I handed out this article in class.
• Bring in the materials for your vertical farm/hydroponics project.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN:

Michael Pollan’s Twelve Commandments for Serious Eaters: Can You Live By Them?

Michael Pollan

from www.seriouseats.com

Posted by Ed Levine, January 4, 2008 at 7:00 AM

Here they are, Michael Pollan’s Twelve Commandments for Serious Eaters, from his new book, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. As Jamie Forrest noted yesterday, a few food pundits are taking him to task for a number of them. I’m down with most of what brother Pollan is preaching. What about you? These commandments are made to order for serious fat-chewing.

1. “Don’t eat anything your grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.” Hard to argue with that. I don’t think my grandmother would have recognized porcini mushroom foam as food, though.

2. “Avoid foods containing ingredients you can’t pronounce.” Hey, what about bouquet garni?

3. “Don’t eat anything that won’t eventually rot.”

4. “Avoid food products that carry health claims.”

5. “Shop the peripheries of the supermarket; stay out of the middle.”

6. “Better yet, buy food somewhere else: the farmers’ market or CSA.”

7. “Pay more, eat less.” Easy for him—or anybody else with enough discretionary spending power—to say. Not so easy for the working poor or even middle class folks who have very little extra money for anything.

8. “Eat a wide variety of species.” But can’t I eat heritage pork products more often than others?

9. “Eat food from animals that eat grass.” As long as these animals can occasionally be finished on corn. Sorry, Michael: Beef from cows that eat grass and then corn taste better.

10. “Cook, and if you can, grow some of your own food.” Amen, brother Michael. I’ll cook, but in New York it’s hard to grow some of your own food. Would the AeroGarden in our office count?

11. “Eat meals and eat them only at tables.” Hard to argue with this one.

12. “Eat deliberately, with other people whenever possible, and always with pleasure.” This, brother Pollen, is probably the most important commandment for this particular Serious Eater.

The key to living by Pollan’s commandments is to realize that it’s not an all-or-nothing situation. We can’t, shouldn’t, and won’t be able to be slaves to all 12 commandments. But they’re a good starting point for both Serious Eater discussion and serious action.

18 November 2009

• Homework: Print out and/or copy the attached file. Rather than provide you with a word bank, I have provided you with the actual concept map. Use your notes and/or the book to fill in the map. You are trying to organize what you know.
• FILE 1 (Pdf File) Carbohydrates CMAP
• I will give you until Monday to gather your materials for the Vertical Farming project.

10 November 2009

• Biochemistry quiz (Chapter 4 in book) this Friday. Review homework, notes and review packets.
• Water lab needs to be completed and turned in ASAP.
• You should have taken pictures of your limiting nutrient lab on Monday.
• The Molecules (BIOMOLECULES) of Life: Read Sections 5.1 and 5.2 in Chapter 5. Complete the Vocabulary and Concept Check  questions for both sections.

8 November 2009

• Due on 9 November 2009: Chemistry Problem Sets (Both Worksheets).
• Chemistry Quiz (Chapter 4) later in the week (Thursday or Friday?).
• Complete Water questions/lab on Monday.
• Take pictures of your labs on Monday.
• Blog Responses have already been posted – no late entries at this point.

30 October 2009

Homework: Section 2-1 The Nature of Matter (Worksheet) – Due Monday.

Due Monday: Materials List and Sketch of your Prototype (Vertical Farming – See 27 October 2009)

Groups for Vertical Farming Project:

Period 1:

Group 1 – Tamara, Sam, Jackie and Alexa; Group 2 – Erin and Emma B.; Group 3 – Jason and Nick Mag.; Group 4 – Cam, Jon, Dylan and Adam; Group 5 – Alyssa, Molly and Emma R.; Group 6 – Kendal, Eric, Nick M. and Shannon.

Period 2:

Group 1 – Kevin, John, and Josh; Group 2 – Kali, Aydan, Lexi, and Sarah; Group 3 – Emily, Callie, Mila and Claudia; Group 4 – Caroline, Sarah, Whitney and Caroline; Group 5 – Shannon, Erica and Amanda; Group 6 – Liam, Ben and Liam.

29 October 2009

Please read 4.3 and 4.4 in your book and define the vocabulary words and complete the concept check questions for each section.

28 October 2009

• For Thursday, please read 4.1 and 4.2. Define the vocabulary and complete the Concept Check questions for both sections.

27 October 2009

1. Part II of the Ecology Test (Population Dynamics)
2. Discuss Group Ecology Project (Vertical Window Farming)
3. Your group’s Material List and Prototype (Drawing) are due on 2 November 2009.
4. Discuss Upcoming Material (Biochemistry)
5. Read Chapter 4.1 and 4.2 in your TEXTBOOK for Tonight.
6. We will be watching 10-20 minutes of the movie each day. You will be expected to take detailed notes on the major topics covered in the film. More details to follow.
7. There is a BLOG due next Friday (6 November 2009). Posting is on ASTROTURFING: