1/27 Biology Recording - Bit deeper into evolution

https://youtu.be/pIZ4LwGIed4

1/27 Biology update and homework due 2/3

Hi folks,

Today we continued our unit on evolution by deepening some of the concepts that were introduced last week. We also took the time to investigate an interesting computer simulation that allowed us to manipulate mutation rates and selection strength in order to see the effect on genetic drift.

Homework for next week is to continue thinking about the concept of human evolution. To do so, I've included three articles that I would like you to read. Afterwards, answer the included questions.

http://www.npr.org/2013/09/27/226837803/modern-humans-still-evolving-and-faster-than-ever

http://www.yourgenome.org/stories/are-humans-still-evolving

http://www.popsci.com/article/science/human-species-still-evolving


1. Who were the Denisovans? Why are they interesting as far as genetics goes?



2. What is an example of something that we have in our genotype that may have come from the Denisovans?



3. Explain why, evolutionarily, we can't digest fibrous materials?



4. How recent is the variation of skin pigmentation? What is a hypothesis for why there are different colors of skin?



5. List five different stressors that are mentioned in the articles.



6. List five different pieces of evidence that humans are still evolving.



7. What would it take to get Homo sapiens to evolve into a new species?



8. What is epigenetics?



9. Can stresses in our life make genes act differently?



10. What is a "SNP" and how does it help us to see if humans are evolving?



11. What is indicated if scientists find genetic variants in lots of genomes in a population?



12. What is a hypothesis for why drinking milk would be an evolutionary advantage in Europe?

1/20 Biology Recording - Evolution 2

https://youtu.be/p3ShCVE9dtc

Additional homework for Biology

Hi folks,

Sorry, I forgot to attach this to the original email.  Please do these question as well.  They are based on the lab we did today in class.

1. What was your original hypothesis?

2. Based on your lab data, do you need to change your hypothesis? Explain.

3. Compare the number of alleles for the dominant characteristic with the number of alleles for the

recessive characteristic.

4. Compare the frequencies of the dominant allele to the frequencies of the recessive allele.

5. In a real rabbit habitat new animals often come into the habitat (immigrate), and others leave the

area (emigrate). How might emigration and immigration affect the gene frequency of F and f in this

population of rabbits? How might you simulate this effect if you were to repeat this activity?

6. How do your results compare with the class data? If significantly different, why are they different?

7. How are the results of this simulation an example of evolution?

1/19 Biology class and homework due 1/26

Hi folks,


Today we dove quite deeply into the concept of evolution. What is it, what causes it and what does it do.


For homework this week:


Read the text 317 - 330

Do questions on page 332 #'s 2-4, 6-16


Extra Credit Opportunity


10 points extra credit to anyone who listens to the debate (50mins) and writes a paragraph or more about their thoughts.


Before listening, however, read the following quote and think about it. What do you think about the issue? Then listen to the debate and write the paragraph about how you felt originally, how do you feel now and what facts either changed or supported your original thoughts.

"What if, before your children were born, you could make sure they had the genes to be taller or smarter? Would that tempt you, or would you find it unnerving?

What if that genetic engineering would save a child from a rare disease?"


http://www.npr.org/2013/02/15/172137776/should-we-prohibit-genetically-engineered-babies

Recording of 1/13 Biology class - Non-mendelian genetics and intro to evolution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnT0aCKoBE0&feature=youtu.be

1/13 Biology update and homework due 1/20

Hi folks,

Today we spent some time breaking rules. Mendelian genetics rules that is. We learned about a few of the exceptions to the basic heredity through dominant and recessive genes.

We also began our next block on evolution.

Read pages 297-306 and do questions 1-8 on page 307.

Also, make your own quiz. Create questions based on the following concepts and then solve the questions. I'll give you 3 points of extra credit if I end up using your question on an upcoming quiz. Have fun!

1. Typical Mendelian genetics problem that can be solved using a monohybrid cross.

2. Typical Mendelian genetics problem that can be solved using a dihybrid cross.

3. Incomplete dominance problem that can be solved using a monohybrid cross.

4. Codominance problem that can be solved using a monohybrid cross.

5. A blood type problem problem that can be solved using a monohybrid cross.

1/6 Biology class and homework due 1/13

Hi folks,

Today we did an activity in class called Dragon Genetics. It's not hard to get a little lost trying to figure out what meiosis, chromosomes, reproduction and Punnett squares have to do with one another so we did this activity to try to bring it all together.

There is no recording this week since most of class was taken up with this activity.

Homework due 1/13 is to:

Read pages 178 to 187
Do questions on page 188 #'s 12 - 17 skip #15
Also do all questions (including "short response" and "extended response" on page 189.