Dr. Wexler's Courses
Color Codes:
Completed
Current
Link to document or website
Future
Syllabus
Safety Rules and Contract
Seating Charts: Blocks A2
A4 B1
B2 B4
Curriculum
Unit 1: Introduction to Biology
Unit 2: Math and Measurement
Unit 3: Enzymes
Unit 4: Cell Structure and Function
Unit 5: Cell Energy
Unit 6: Cell Reproduction
Unit 7: Evolution
Unit 8: The Genetic Basis of Heredity
Unit 9: The Molecular Basis of Heredity
Unit 10: Microbiology
Unit 11: The Immune System
Unit 12: Human Anatomy and Physiology
A. The Cardiovascular System
B. The Digestive System
Unit 1: Introduction to Biology
Contact information and safety contracts
Textbooks: keep at home (checkout during week 3)
What is Science?
What is
Biology?
Quiz: What is Science?
Fibonacci
patterns in nature
Fibonacci Pinecones Activity
Fibonacci
Sunflower
Chapter 1-1 What is Science?
Chapter 1-1 Section Assessment Q1-6
Characteristics
of all living things
Chapter 1-2 How Scientists Work
Chapter 1-2 Section Assessment Q1-5
Quiz: Chapter 1-1
What is Science?
Check out textbooks
Microscope Lab:
A. Microscope anatomy and procedure
B. Microscope
anatomy classwork
C. Wet mounts of pond water microbes
Color
reference sheets
Taxonomy: Classification of Humans 1
2
Taxonomy: The
6 Kingdoms
The
5 Vertebrates
Internet Webquest: Kingdoms/Vertebrate PowerPoint - e-mail submission
Taxonomy Handout for
Review
6 Kingdoms Quiz
Unit 2: Math and Measurement
How
is algebra important in biology?
Unit
prefixes and how to convert between them by dimensional analysis.
Dimensional
Analysis Examples
Dimensional
Analysis Worksheet 1
Dimensional
Analysis Worksheet 2
Dimensional
Analysis Quiz 1
Dimensional
Analysis Quiz 2
Dimensional
Analysis Quiz 3
How to measure volume using the graduated cylinder
Lab Experiment: determine if the size of a seed correlates with germination
rate.
First sort them into two size categories (one species). Determine their average
volumes. Then germinate them in spring water and examine after 5 days. Calculate
and compare % germination in the two samples.
Dimensional
Analysis Quiz 4
Dimensional
Analysis Quiz 5
Science
Crossword Puzzle #2
Science
Crossword Puzzle #5
Chapter 1 Standardized test prep questions 1-6
Chapter 2 Standardized test prep questions 1-10
Dimensional
Analysis Quiz 6
Dimensional
Analysis Quiz 7
Dimensional
Analysis Quiz 8
Dimensional
Analysis Quiz 9
Dimensional
Analysis Quiz 10
Graphical
Analysis 1
Dimensional
Analysis Quiz 11
Dimensional
Analysis Worksheet 3
Unit 3: Enzymes
Modeling macromolecules on paper: Freight train diagram
The four macromolecules and their subunits:
A. protein
B. polysaccharides
C. fatty acids
D. fats/lipids
Protein Structure: 4 levels (1
2):
A. primary
B. secondary
C. tertiary
D. quaternary
Protein
folding: finding the lowest
energy state
Structure
determines function
Effect
of heat on protein structure
Functional
groups in amino acids
Some types of proteins:
A. Structural proteins (keratin,
keratin,
keratin,
tubulin,
tubulin,
tubulin,
tubulin)
B. Membrane transport proteins (aquaporin
aquaporin)
C. Hormones (insulin,
testosterone)
D. Enzymes
Protein Structure
Quiz 1
Lab Activity: Characteristics of enzymatic and nonenzymatic
reactions
A. nonenzymatic: baking soda/vinegar
B. enzymatic: liver catalase/hydrogen peroxide
Summarize conclusions
Lab Activity: Protein denaturation: milk + lemon juice
Draw a diagram illustrating the coagulation effect of acid on casein (milk protein)
Protein Structure
Quiz 2
Lysozyme Lab:
A. Lysozyme PowerPoint
B. Lysozyme
Lab Worksheet
C. Phase 1 - lysozyme in egg white
D. Phase 2 - lysozyme in human secretions (saliva, tears)
Ch. 7 Classwork/Homework:
p. 173 Q2-4
p. 181 Q1-5
P. 189 Q1,2,3,4,6
p. 193 Q4
p. 197 Q1-25
Protein Structure/Function
Unit Test
Unit 4: Cell Structure and Function
Part I. The Cell Membrane
A. Biochemical composition
B. Structure: the "fluid
mosaic model"
C. Forces that hold bilayer membranes together:
1. Hydrophilic nature of water and polar (charged)
compounds
2. Hydrophobic nature of fatty acids and
triglycerides
3. Amphipathic nature of phospholipids
D. Lab:
membrane self-assembly
E. PowerPoint: membrane
structure and function
F. Selective permeability: passive diffusion, facilitated
diffusion, active transport
G. Lab: passive diffusion of iodine through a semi-permeable
membrane
H.
Cell Biology Powerpoint computer labwork
Osmosis labs:
A. Effect of solute in dialysis bag model
1. Sugar water inside, tap water outside
2. Place in corn syrup (next day)
B. Effect of salt on wilting of lettuce
Quiz: osmosis lab results
and interpretation
Membrane
Structure and Function Pretest
Osmosis Video
Lettuce Stomate Experiment
Stomate
picture
Stomate quiz
Plant
stomata video
Plant
cell tour
Cell Structure
Function PowerPoint - Detailed
Cell
Structure and Function Video
Cell Structure
and Function Unit Test Sample Questions
Unit 5: Cell Energy
Cell
respiration powerpoint
Cell
respiration graphic organizer
Cell respiration
quiz 1
Cell respiration
quiz 2
Cell respiration
crossword puzzle
Ch 7 and Ch 9 end of chapter questions
Unit 6: Cell Reproduction
Lecture: Cell Cycle and Mitosis
Cell Reproduction Powerpoint1
Homework: Chapter 10-2, cell cycle and mitosis, answer
questions 1-6 at the end of the section
Homework: Chapter 10 end-of-chapter assessment, questions
1-7, 10, 19, 20, 30
Mitosis
Youtube videos
Onion Root Tip Mitosis: Chromosome Squash
Quiz:
Identify mitotic phases on photos of stained onion tip squashes.
Cell Reproduction
Quiz 1(homework)
Cell Reproduction
Quiz 2(classwork)
Cell Reproduction Powerpoint 2
Mitosis simulation using colored straws
Online mitosis game
Cell
Reproduction Higher Thinking Questions
Review cell cycle and mitosis
Unit Test
Unit 7: Evolution
Read Ch15 pp369-386
Write an essay in which you explain Darwin's concept of the survival of the
fittest as the basis for evolution of species. Include examples of evolution
by natural selection
Write an essay in which you discuss the concepts of artificial selection and
survival of the fittest (and sexual selection for extra credit). Use at least
two examples of each to illustrate these concepts.
Mostly Videos:
Homer
Simpson Evolution
How
Evolution Works
The
Fossil Record
Divergent
Evolution (Geographic Distribution)
Convergent
Evolution (Geographic Distribution)
Homologous
Structures
Embryonic
Similarities
Discuss the following four lines of evidence for evolution:
A. Fossil Evidence
B. Homologous Structure
C. Embryo Development
D. Geographic Distribution
Evolution
Quiz 1
Homework 1: Ch15 Assessment p. 389 Q1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18,
19, 21, 22, 23, 24
Homework 2: Ch15 Assessment p. 390 Q26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34
Unit 8: The Genetic Basis of Heredity
Homework: Ch11-1 Q1-6
Homework: Ch11-2 Q1-5
Homework: Ch11-3 Q1-5
Lecture: Mendel's Peas: One-factor crosses; Dominant vs
recessive traits; Genes determine traits; Genotype vs Phenotype; Monohybrid
Crosses - Punnett Squares
Video: Peas in a Pod - Cracking the Code Part
I Part
II Part
III
Video: Genetics 101 Part 1: What are genes?
Video:
Genetics 101 Part 2: What are SNPs?
Video:
Genetics 101 Part 3: Where do your genes come from?
Video:
Genetics 101 Part 4: What is phenotype
Segregation of alleles; Test crosses to prove genotype
Explain allele segregation by meiosis: how the chromosomes behave during gamete
formation
Class Genetic
Profile:
A. Widow's Peak (dominant)
B. Hitchhiker's Thumb (recessive)
C. Bent Pinky (dominant)
D. Attached Earlobes (recessive)
G. Hand clasp left thumb over right (nonmendelian, possibly nongenetic)
H. Arm fold left over right (nonmendelian, possibly nongenetic)
I. Tongue Roller (nongenetic)
J. Cheek Dimples (dominant)
Calculate percentage of class having each trait. Is there a relationship between
dominance/recessiveness and population frequency?
Dominant (gain of function) versus recessive (loss of function) mutations: examples
in humans -
albinism and huntington's
disease respectively
One-Factor Crosses Problem Set 2
Video:
Huntington's Disease
Video: Genetics of Disease:
Linus Pauling and Sickle Cell Anemia
Heredity Worksheet 1
PowerPoint: Beyond Mendelian Inheritance
What is Sex-linked inheritance?
Sex-linked inheritance patterns
Sex-linked Inheritance
Worksheet 1
Sex-linked Inheritance
Worksheet 2
Two-factor crosses(dihybrid) p. 284 Question 22
A. Dihybrid crosses 9:3:3:1 phenotype ratio
B. Test cross (double hybrid x double homozygous recessive)
i. nonparental = parental means no gene linkage - on different chromosomes or
far apart on the same chromosome
ii. nonparental < parental means gene linkage - linkage is variable depending
on how close the two genes are to each other
The closer they are the lower the chance of crossing over occurring.
This makes possible the construction of linkage maps to estimate distance between
genes clustered on the same chromosome.
Linkage mapping problem: series of two-factor crosses
AB = 11 m.u.
AC = 33 m.u.
AD = 36 m.u.
BC = 44 m.u.
BD = 25 m.u.
CD = 50 m.u.
Create your own linkage mapping problem using 6 genes.
Write the final version of the problem and the answer (the linkage map) to the
problem on separate sheets of paper.
Each student will choose a 6 point map problem to solve. Distribute at random.
Final linkage mapping problem
Drosophila lab: set up mating vials
Drosophila Lab worksheet
Review fruit fly life cycle.
Start Drosophila Reciprocal Crosses - prepare mating vials
A. Vial 1: Red-eyed male x White-eyed virgin female
B. Vial 2: White-eyed male x Red-eyed virgin female
Internet Problem
Set 1
Mendelian Genetics Unit Test
Unit 9: The Molecular Basis of Heredity
Read Chapter 12.1 DNA pp. 287-290. Take notes from the chapter on the experiments
that were performed (and by which scientists) to elucidate the biochemical nature
of the genetic material. Write your notes in outline form and keep in your notebook
for inspection. You will be expected to answer questions on these experiments
and their outcomes in both quiz and essay formats.
Video/Lecture: chromatin
structure.
DNA Synthesis
p. 296 Analyzing Data - DNA Synthesis
Chapter 12-1 Section Assessment (p.294) Q1-5
Chapter 12-2 Section Assessment (p 299) Q1-6
Venn diagram on whiteboards - Use textbook and notes to compare and contrast
eukaryotic and prokaryotic chromatin structures
Lab: Isolation of DNA from Wheat Germ
Lab: Chromosome Squash from Drosophila Salivary Glands
Unit 10: Microbiology
Construction of Winogradsky Columns for observation of pigmented bacteria from
soil
Video - Confessions of a Germ: Tuberculosis
Shape: bacilli vs cocci
vs spirilla
Cell Wall Properties:
Gram
Positive vs Gram Negative
Motility:
flagellar
motor propulsion
vs corkscrewing
vs gliding motility
vs nonmotile
A. Bacterial Growth and Reproduction
i. Binary
fission
ii. Endospore
formation
Video: Current news on
Swine Flu
Video:
The 1918 Flu Pandemic
Discussion of Swine Flu and Human
Flu biology
Draw a picture of the influenza
virus using colored pencils. Pictures/descriptions of important structures
(hemagluttinin, neuraminidase, ribonuclear protein): label the different parts
and describe the function of each part.
Read: article
on Swine Flu
Discuss influenza virus infection cycle
Video 1: influenza
virus infection cycle
Video 2: Animation
of influenza virus "hatching out"
Video 3: Why you can get
the flu even though you've been vaccinated.
Quiz on Influenza and Swine Flu
Streak samples onto nutrient agar plates; incubate at 30C
Video: exponential
growth of bacteria
Video: Bacterial
growth curve
Restreak one bacterial colony onto nutrient agar plates: use quadrant method
for single colony isolation
Gram stain one colony
Record: Gram positive or Gram negative; Shape (bacilli or cocci, chains, etc.?)
Antibiotic testing - Ampicillin
- Soil samples
Isolation of thermophilic bacteria
- Soil samples
Yogurt-making lab
Video: Dangerous Microbes
Video: The History
of AIDS
Video: HIV 101
Video: HIV
structure
Video: Molecular biology
of HIV infection and viral replication
Video: HIV
structure
Video: Molecular biology
of HIV infection and viral replication
HIV sexual transmission exercise: "cup o' virus"
Unit 11: The Immune System
Lab: Isolation of IgY antibody from egg yolk
Lab: Agarose Immunodiffusion with anti-IgY
Unit 12: Human Anatomy and Physiology
A. Cardiovascular System
Lab: Effect of nicotine on bloodworm pulse rate
Use of stethoscopes
Use of sphygmomanometer
Lab: Effects on heart rate and blood
pressure
B. Digestive System
Digestive System PowerPoint
Frog Dissection