When the percentage of the immune population falls below the level defined by the basic reproduction number, it can result in an outbreak, like the one that occurred in France in 2018.
Herd immunity is the idea that as long as enough people within a population are immune to a disease, they can indirectly protect those who are not immune. It's particularly important for people who are unable to get vaccinated. In this video, Dr Adam Kucharski briefly explains how it works.
When the percentage of the immune population falls below the level defined by the basic reproduction number, it can result in an outbreak, like the one that occurred in France in 2018. HOSA Announcements:
*There will be a meeting in G117 on Thursday (2/21) at 2pm to talk about the state conference. *Poster Critiques are being pushed back one week. PBS students who are doing a display for the state conference need to bring said display to G118 on Thursday (2/28) by the end of the day. On Friday morning (3/1), BCA seniors will critique the displays and provide feedback. MI students are wrapping up unit 3.2 with activities on virology and routine screenings. The quiz for unit 3.2 will be early next week. PBS students using paper models to visualize the processes of mitosis and meiosis (see below for crash course videos), then constructing a concept map with the vocabulary associated with inheritance. On Friday (2/22) they will have class time to work on HOSA projects. Crash Course #12 Crash Course #13 In observance of Presidents' Day, here's a presidential trivia question. What is the most common US presidential first name, and how many presidents are there, who had that name? Week of Feb 11 PBS students will finish unit 3.2 and take the unit quiz on Tuesday. There will be two questions in which you are given a sample DNA sequence and asked to transcribe it it into mRNA, and then translate it into an amino acid chain. The condo chart from 3.2.2 will be provided on the quiz and is also pictured below. If you have any uncertainty in the use of this chart, PLEASE ASK. MI students are turning in 3.2.3 and circling back around to the yeast lab for 3.2.2. We will grow some wild type yeast and mutated yeast with increased UV sensitivity on a couple different agar plates, and find out how effective various types of sunscreen are at protecting the cells from UV damage.
Base pairing in DNA
Cytosine pairs with Guanine: C with G, round letters together Adenine pairs with Thymine: A with T, straight line letters together Base pairing in RNA Cytosine still pairs with Guanine, but Adenine is hooking up with Uracil behind Thymine's back. Hydrogen Bonds Cytosine and Guanine share three bonds: 3 is round like C and G Adenine and Thymine share two bonds: 2 has a straight line like A and T Purines vs Pyrimidines Guanine and Adenine are purines: If you saw a kitten (that purrs) you might say "GA! It's so cute!" Thymine, Uracil, and Cytosine are pyrimidines: TUC sounds like TUT As in King Tut Who was from ancient Egypt Which is famous for pyramids Which sounds like PYRIMIDINES! A couple of web resources for the MI activity on breast cancer screening and prevention are no longer available. Here are some alternates:
1. NOVA's A Family Disease 5. Hereditary vs Spontaneous Cancer 20. Exercise to reduce risk of breast cancer Week of Feb 4
MI students are finishing 3.2.1 with notes and short presentations about cancer risks and prevention strategies. On Tuesday, we will begin a lab that tests the effectiveness of different sunscreens using yeast. Hopefully the mutated yeast won't gain superpowers. Update 2/6/2019: The yeast for the stock plates isn't ready yet, so we are putting this activity on hold until next week. PBS students will do a lab activity on transcription and translation, using paper models of DNA and RNA. Today, PBS students are using Inspiration to make their own copy of this graphic organizer about the processes of transcription and translation. The organizer needs to be printed and glued into your lab book. Note that my example contains three glaring errors, so no copying.
A few dates are changing due to school being canceled on Friday. The latest plan follows:
MI students are turning in 3.1.4 and starting 3.1.5. The quiz for unit 3.1 will be on Wednesday. 3.2.1 about assessing cancer risk will start on Thursday, with a lab next week. PBS students are turning in 3.1.2 and taking the unit 3.1 quiz. There will be HOSA work time on Tuesday. 3.2.1 about protein synthesis begins on Wednesday. If you want to get a jump on the process of protein synthesis, check out the Crash Course video below. It features DNA, enzymes, ribosomes, a daring plan to steal the secret recipe for Hot Pockets, and the longest word in world, anywhere, in any language. Crash Course Biology #11 Hopefully everyone enjoyed the long weekend!
This week, PBS students are finishing 3.1.1 (due at the beginning of class on 1/23) and starting 3.1.2 (due at in class on 1/25). There will be a quiz on unit 3.1 on Friday, 1/25. 11 questions, multiple choice. MI students are doing a DNA microarray, beginning with a virtual lab that can be found here, and a wet lab on 1/23. Questions associated with 3.1.4 are all due on 1/24, after some in class work time. PBS has begun Unit 3, which is about genetics, blood, and sickle cell disease.
Here's a recent SciShow video about using gene therapy to treat sickle cell disease. Human blood has four principle components, each with a particular function. Plasma: pale yellow fluid portion of blood that consists of water and dissolved particles such as sugars, lipids, cellular waste, hormones, and vitamins Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes): small anucleate cells that carry hemoglobin and transport oxygen White Blood Cells (Leukocytes): any of a number of nucleate cells that are involved with the immune system, including lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and basophils Platelets (Thrombocytes): tiny disk like cells that assist in forming blood clots On average, an adult human has about 6 liters of blood. Here's what that looks like. |
AuthorDuring the spring semester 2019 (just third quarter), Mr Gumpert filled in for Ms Williamson, teaching biology at Service High School. Archives
April 2019
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