Evolution of Beads Activity

Here we go again grade 11's!

I am posting a data table as a google spreadsheet - I would like to to create a COPY by signing into your google account, clicking File ---> Make a Copy and use it to record you data from our activity in class today (and post to your blog).  So what I have made can serve as a template for you to complete and post, I hope.
And then guess what - try and create the appropriate graph on google docs!  Don't worry.  I have already photocopied the graph paper in anticipation of our collective failure.  Boo.

Evolution of Beads Spreadsheet

Variation Responses

Data Completed

Summary - frequencies

Fingers crossed.  You can try to make your graphs online or I will photocopy some graph paper now.
Once done the graphs, you can answer the questions.
:)  Thank you for being patient.

Variation Lab - Take 2!

Okey dokey... Now I have created a new way to submit your same data, as multiple choice questions.  You should be able to access the spreadsheet of these results after, which may or may not (!) be the data we are hoping to graph.

Here we go!

Variation Data Take 2


This is a perfect example of a frequency graph I would like you to make:
Height categories on the X axis
Frequency of results on the Y axis

Variation Lab

Now that you can see everyone's data for the measurement lab, the averages should be at the bottom of the spreadsheet....

Answer the following questions on your blog about the information that you have collected.

1.  What were the trends that you noticed in each of the frequency graphs?
2.  How many people had "extreme" traits?
3.  What trait had the most variation?
4.  How would having variation within a trait benefit the entire species?  How would having no variation be detrimental to the success of the species?
5.  How could having extreme traits be beneficial?  Can you find an example in nature?
6.  How did you come to have the characteristics that you have?  (ie. why are you short?)
7.  What is a gene?  What is DNA? Where did you get your DNA?

DNA & Evolution

What do all living things have in common?  They are all made of CELLS which contain DNA.  The sequences of bases on the DNA molecule provide the genetic code which gives each organism unique traits.

We have just looked at the structure of DNA by colouring and cutting and pasting a model of DNA in the classroom.  Now, I would like you to explore how DNA makes copies of itself - which it needs to do in order for a cell to divide.  This process is called DNA replication.

Watch this animation to see the steps of DNA replication in action.

DNA replication

Remember how long each DNA molecule was and how many base pairs it possesses?  Although there are proofreading enzymes, mistakes in base pairing during replication can occur, which are called mutations.  Mostly, mutations have a negative effect on the cells ability to perform it's function, but there is a possibility that a mutation can be advantageous.

Although we are all humans with 46 chromosomes, we each have distinct traits that we have inherited from the DNA of our parents.  A key factor in evolution is that there is diversity in life forms and variation in these traits within a population.

Next we are going to look at the variation of some unimportant physical traits within our class, collect data, and see if there are any extreme phenotype (what we look like) variations - how might that benefit an organism?

Working in partners, measure the following physical characteristics:

a) Height (without shoes, in cm)
b) Cubit (bend arm at elbow, measure from tip of elbow to end of fingers)
c) Hand span (tip of thumb to tip of pinky finger, hand spread wide)
d) Eye width (stare straight ahead, partner measures center of one eye to center of other eye)
e) Foot length (stand on ruler)

Enter info into shared google spreadsheet that you can access here:

Data

Once everyone has inputed their data, you are to plot a frequency graph for each characteristic - so that you can see how often each characteristic occurs. Plot the measured characteristic on the x-axis, and the number of people having the characteristic on the y-axis.  One graph / characteristic...

Scientific Naming

Choose any combination of 5 plants and/or animals (maybe ones that you are interested in...) and learn their ENTIRE scientific name - KPCOFGS.  Post a picture of your chosen organisms with their scientific name.

Do any of your organisms share any of categories?  Can you that they are closely related by just looking at them?  Are their any organisms that you thought would be more closely related than they are?  Think about these questions and write a paragraph describing your findings.

What has this bit of research made you wonder about how organisms are related?

Dichotomous Keys

Classifying living things can be complicated.  A dichotomous key is a series of questions with two possible answers that will help you identify or name a living thing based on characteristics that you can see.  For each object, you complete the series of questions until it has been identified.

Try your luck at a classification interactive game at the link below:

Interactive Classification Game

Today, we will be making observations about 2 or 3 trees and using on online dichotomous key to try to identify the trees around the school.

You can take a SMALL sample of the leaves/needles (or a picture), as well as pictures of the leaf pattern, branches, tree bark and any other characteristic or measurement that you think may be important to identify your tree.  Once you have made your observations, the link to the dichotomous key is below:

Dichotomous Key

Please post at least 3 pictures, describe the defining characteristics and the identification of your tree to your blog.

Biology Safety Contract

Please complete the form in the link below as your Biology 11 Safety Contract for 2013.

Biology Safety Contract

Link to class blogs

I have posted all our class blogs on my teacher wiki at:

All Biology 11 Blogs

Check it out and make sure that your blog link works please!

Researching your question

Once you have posted your question - you need to research your question and provide an answer... As well as links to websites that were useful, pictures, youtube videos etc for anyone who might want more information.

Welcome to Biology 11

Today you will be creating your Biology 11 Blog and creating a place to publish your work, organize your assignments & collaborate with peers.  Your blog will be a window into the progress that you are making in class - instead of handing in an assignment only to me, other students are able to see your work, your parents, and people around the world!  With that in mind, we will practice being responsible and respectful in an online space, and work to create a positive digital footprint.

Once you get your blog up and running, you can publish your first post.  Yippee!  Your first post should be your science question that you formulated after being a scientific observer in our living things scavenger hunt.

If you are successful with your first post, try to post your scavenger hunt pictures in a way that makes sense to an outside observer.