Cell Division Cycle 10/16

The cell division is the series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and duplication of its DNA (DNA replication) to produce two daughter cells. This cycle results into two daughter cells having the same genetic material. The process of this cycle has three main phases, Interphase, Mitosis, and Cytokinesis. However, Mitosis is usually split up into four different phases which add up to a total of six different phases all together. The different phases are Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, and Cytokinesis. In the first phase, preparation for Mitosis, or the division of the cell is made. In Interphase, the cell grows and matures and the cell located in the chromatin, is duplicated. In the second phase of the cell cycle and the first phase of mitosis, Prophase, the chromatin condenses to form chromosomes. In the third phase of the cell cycle and the second phase of mitosis, Metaphase, the spindle fibers pull the chromosomes, stretching them into a line. In the next phase, Anaphase, the spindle fibers split the centromeres and chromotids to opposite sides. Then in the fifth phase of the cycle and the last phase of mitosis, Telophase, a nuclear membrane forms around both cells and chromosomes unwind. Finally to complete the process, in Cytokinesis, the sides pinch in dividing the cytoplasm.

S&EP - SP7: Engaging in argument from evidence

I used evidence to defend my explanation. I answered a packet of questions about the cell cycle and cell division providing the information I got from investigating the Gizmo as evidence. I formulated evidence based on solid data when I stated that in the step of Interphase, the cell gets ready for Mitosis using the information on how the cell grows, matures, and the cell located in the chromatin is duplicated in Interphase, as evidence. I examined my own understanding in light of the evidence. I used to think that when a cell grows too big it splits, but because of having the discussion in class and investigating the Gizmo now I think that cell division happens continuously to replace cells. I collaborated with my peers in searching for the best explanation. I did some research on how cells divide which I discussed with my learning partner who was working on the packet with me. Together we figured out what happens in each phase of the Cell Cycle.

XCC: Patterns
The pattern that I studied this week was the Cell Cycle. I consider the Cell Cycle a pattern because it is a series of repeating events. In the Cell Cycle, the cell grows and matures and divides into daughter cells that have the same genetic material. To complete this, the cell goes through six different phases, Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, and Cytokinesis. The cells repeats this cycle continuously, to replace dead cells. One prediction I can make about this pattern is that if a malfunction were to happen, it would create great problems with the organism's body and health. This information can help me "take over the world" by giving me some very detailed information on how a cell divides. This knowledge could help me if I choose to specialize in a job that is related to cells.

Diffusion 10/9

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 Have you ever wondered how a smell can travel through the room? Like how the smell of your mother's homemade cookies can travel from the kitchen to your room. This happens because of Diffusion. Diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Osmosis is a type of Diffusion. Osmosis is the movement of water from an area of high concentration of water to an area of low concentration of water. Osmosis has has different types as well. The three types of Osmosis are Isotonic, Hypotonic, and Hypertonic. Isotonic happens if the concentration solute is equal on both sides. In this situation, the solvent will move back an forth, but the amounts will stay the same. Hypotonic happens when there are less solute molecules outside of the cell. In this situation, the solvent will move inside the cell. Hypertonic happens when there is more solute molecules outside of the cell. In this case, water will move out of the cell. Now we know the definitions, but you may be thinking, what does solute and solvent even mean? Solute is the solid part of a solution, such as salt. Solvent is the liquid part of a solution, such as water.

S&EP - SP3: Planning and carrying out investigations

I identified questions to be investigated when I asked if the red Gatorade (solvent) would make the egg Isotonic, Hypotonic, or Hypertonic. I identified my variables and controls. The manipulated variable was the solvent the egg would sit in overnight. The responding variable was that in response of sitting in the solvent overnight, the size and weight of the egg will change. Lastly, the controlled variables or controls were the size of the container, the amount of solvent, and the time the egg had been soaking in the solvent. I designed and performed experiments to test my hypotheses. I thought that the situation would be hypertonic and that the egg would shrink, the water would move out of the egg, and proved this hypothesis by giving evidence saying that the red Gatorade (solvent) had more solute than the egg. I decided to collect information on the weight of the egg, the steps we took, and what we noticed and observed (data). I also chose to control how much solvent the egg would soak in overnight because the amounts of solvent or all of the eggs need to be the same in order for the experiment to work properly. I refined my experiment when the data I obtained did not answer the question, when my group popped the egg to see if any solvent entered the egg.

XCC: Scale, proportion, and quantity
Diffusion and Osmosis is affected by proportion because the amount of solvent and solute determines what type of Osmosis the situation is. When the concentration of solute is equal on both sides of the situation, it is Isotonic. In this case, the solvent will move back and forth but the amounts of solute to solvent won't change. When there is less solute in one side of the situation, it is Hypotonic. In this case, the solvent will move from the side with less solute to the other side of the situation. When there is more solute on one side of the situation, it is Hypertonic. In this case, the solvent from the other side of the situation will move to the side with more solute. The different amounts of solute and solvent of a situation determines what type of Osmosis the situation is. Understanding scales and proportions can help me "take over the world" by giving me some specific information about how different proportions can affect things in a certain way. This information can help me in the future, especially if I choose to specialize in a career that deals with scales and proportions.

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration 10/2

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Photosynthesis is the process that converts sunlight into radiant energy, which is then transformed into chemical energy the plant can use. This process takes place in the chloroplast of the cell. Cellular Respiration is the process that produces energy. This process takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell and the mitochondria. The process of Photosynthesis converts water and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. The process of Cellular Respiration converts glucose and oxygen into water and carbon dioxide. The chemicals that are converted are called reactants and the chemicals that are what the previous chemicals were converted into, are called products. This means that the reactants of Photosynthesis are carbon dioxide and water. and the reactants of Cellular Respiration are glucose and oxygen. This also means that the products of Photosynthesis are glucose and oxygen, and the products of Cellular Respiration are carbon dioxide and water. Now that we know what these two processes are, how are they related? Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration are related because they depend on each other to convert their reactants. In addition, they are related because their processes involve the same chemicals. These chemicals are glucose, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water.

S&EP - SP7: Engaging in argument from evidence

I used evidence to defend my explanation. I answered a packet of questions about the cell's energy cycle providing the information I discovered using the Gizmo as evidence. I formulated evidence based on solid data when I stated that the reactants of photosynthesis are water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2), the products of photosynthesis are glucose (C6 H12 O6) and oxygen (O2), the reactants of Cellular Respiration are glucose and oxygen, and the products of Cellular Respiration are water and carbon dioxide, using the newfound information I discovered from the Gizmo as evidence. I examined my own understanding in light of the evidence. I used to think that the reactants of photosynthesis were glucose and oxygen, but because of exploring the Gizmo, now I think that glucose and oxygen are the products of Photosynthesis and that the reactants are water and carbon dioxide. I collaborated with my peers in searching for the best explanation. I did some research on the processes of Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration which I discussed with my learning partner. Together we figured out specific details about the cell's energy cycle.

XCC: Energy and Matter
Photosynthesis is related to energy because the process of Photosynthesis converts sunlight into energy. The specific form of energy that is produced in Photosynthesis is radiant energy. Cellular Respiration is related to energy because in this process, glucose is split into two pyruvic acids which produces a bit of energy. Then, when these pyruvic acids react with oxygen, energy is produced along with carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis is related to matter because the chemicals that are the reactants and products of Photosynthesis are made up of matter and atoms. This relation also goes for Cellular Respiration because the chemicals that are involved with the process (reactants and products), are made up of matter and atoms. Understanding the interaction of energy and matter and the processes of Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration could help me "take over the world" by giving me specific information of the processes that could help me with specializing a career in the future.

Macromolecules 9/25

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A macromolecule is a molecule containing a very large number of atoms. There are four different macromolecules. One being carbohydrates, another being nucleic acids, the third being lipids, and the fourth and last one being proteins. Carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Nucleic acids are made up of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and phosphorus. Lipids are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Lastly, proteins are made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and some have sulfur. Each of  these macromolecules are very important to living organisms. This is due to the specific functions that each macromolecules perform for living organisms and cells. The function of carbohydrates, also known as carbs, is to provide energy for the cell and carbohydrates are components of some cell parts. The function of nucleic acids is that they contain DNA and RNA. This is important because DNA contains information that the cell needs to perform its functions, while the RNA has codes for making proteins for the cell. The function of lipids is to store energy for the cell. Proteins are parts of the cell membrane and form most of the organelles. Proteins also regulate growth and development and transport oxygen and other substances. In addition, proteins increase rate of chemical reactions that occur within the cell. Each macromolecule also has a monomer or many identical molecules that together form the complete polymer. Monomers can also be known as the simplest form of the macromolecule. The monomer of carbohydrates is saccharide, the monomer of nucleic acid is nucleotide, the monomer of lipids is fatty acid, and the monomer of proteins is amino acid.

S&EP - SP7: Engaging in argument from evidence

I used evidence to defend my explanation. I took notes providing a slide show we went through in class as evidence. I formulated evidence based on solid data when I stated that an example of carbohydrates is pasta, using my notes as evidence. I examined my own understanding in light of the evidence. I used to think that there were no other examples of nucleic acid, but because of some extra research now I think that there are many other examples of nucleic acid, one being fish. I collaborated with my peers in searching for the best explanation. I did some research on different examples of each macromolecule which I discussed with a partner I was working with. Together we figured out at least four different examples for each macromolecule.

XCC: Structure and Function

The structure of carbohydrates determines how the energy stored in carbohydrate bonds during photosynthesis and how breaking these bonds releases energy during cellular respiration. The function of nucleic acid depends on the structure because, the bases of the DNA molecule are grouped in threes called codons. These codons are complementary with a amino acid carrying RNA the other of the codons determines the order of the amino acids which determines protein function. The structure of lipids depends on it's structure because it's structure contains long chains of fatty acid C.H. bonds which break to give a great amount of energy. The function of protein depends on it's shape. More specifically, the structure of amino acids of protein determines it's function. None of the other macromolecules can perform the same functions as the other macromolecules.

Project Blog: Cell Wars 9/18

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Summary:

During this Cell Wars project, I learned specific information about the Cytoplasm. Including the structure of the Cytoplasm, how the Cytoplasm functions, how the structure of Cytoplasm affects it's function, and how Cytoplasm aids the other organelles. In addition, I also learned a little about the structure and function of the other organelles as the other groups presented their videos. As I researched information about Cytoplasm's structure, I learned that Cytoplasm is the colorless jelly like substance that fills the cell outside of the nucleus. While researching the function of Cytoplasm I learned, that Cytoplasm is responsible for keeping the shape of the cell and keeping all of the organelles in place. I also learned that because Cytoplasm contains all of the organelles and cell parts, it is responsible for moving information and materials from one organelle to another. Lastly, I learned that Cytoplasm aids the other organelles by supplying them with the chemicals they need to function properly. In addition, I learned that Cytoplasm provides a place for the other organelles to move around and carry out their functions.

Backward-Looking:

I didn't know much about the relationship between cells and organelles before we started. I only had some information of cells from previous grade levels. For example, in fifth grade I learned a little bit about what cells do and how all organisms are made up of them. So, I only really knew about cells because of the information I gathered throughout the years This information came from either school, the internet, or from my very own family and friends.

Inward-Looking

I feel great about my team and I's finished outcome of this project. There isn't really one particular part that I especially like because I really liked both the video and the smears my team and I came up with. What I enjoyed about the video was that it contained all of the information that was needed, including the structure, the function, how the structure affects the function, and why the organelle is so crucial to the survival of the cell, while still being humorous and entertaining. For the smears, I liked how creative my team and I were with how we decided to smear the other teams and the information we included. However, I particularly disliked the posters my team and I made because although all of the key information was included, I wish that we were more creative with the design of the posters. In addition, for the video I wish we talked a bit louder so the audience could hear us clearly. I enjoyed how each piece of work we put into this project had all of the key information that was needed.

Outward-Looking

My team and I didn't do the work exactly the way others did theirs. We did our work a bit differently because we made sure we got all of the information we needed first. Then we focused on the posters, having some members work on the design and other members transfer the right information on each poster. Next we brainstormed and worked out what we would do for the video. While writing the script of our video, we focused on the smears. While this was our process, other groups decided to have some members research while others planned out the posters and video. As they did this they would also post smears throughout the process. In addition, other groups would focus on the smears first before anything else. Our processes were however similar because we got the same work done and some groups also focused on the research and posters first, just as we did.

Forward-Looking

If I had the chance to do this piece over again, I would definitely make sure to be more creative with the poster. I would try to put more effort in the design of the poster. Also, I would make sure that all of my team and myself speak very loud and clear while filming. This way the audience can understand what we are saying during the video. This is very important because if the audience doesn't know what you are saying, they won't know what information you put in the video and most likely will think that you didn't include the information at all.

If there was no Cytoplasm 9/11

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Have you ever wondered what would happen to the cell if there was no Cytoplasm? Well simply, without the cytoplasm the cell wouldn't be able to survive. This is because the Cytoplasm keeps the cell and the organelles functioning. The Cytoplasm provides a place where the organelles can travel where they need to be to perform their functions. So without the Cytoplasm, the organelles wouldn't be able to move around and carry out their functions. In addition, since Cytoplasm allows communication through the organelles, materials and information wouldn't be able to pass from one organelle to another without the Cytoplasm. Also, Cytoplasm is responsible for supplying the organelles with chemicals they need to function and without it the organelles wouldn't function properly. So basically without the Cytoplasm, all the other organelles wouldn’t be able to function, and without the function of all the organelles, the cell would shut down and die.

S&EP - SP7: Engaging in argument from evidence

I used evidence to defend my explanation. I answered the question, "How is Cytoplasm crucial to the survival of the cell?", providing information that my team and I researched as evidence. I formulated evidence based on solid data when I stated that without the cytoplasm the cell wouldn't be able to survive, using the information that my group and I found as evidence. I examined my own understanding in light of the evidence. I used to think that Cytoplasm wasn't as important to the cell as other organelles, but because of researching more about what would happen to the cell if the Cytoplasm was gone, now I think that the cell definitely wouldn't survive without the Cytoplasm. I collaborated with my peers in searching for the best explanation. I did some research on what would happen to the cell if there was no Cytoplasm, which I discussed with my group. Together we figured out that without the Cytoplasm, the organelles wouldn't be able to function, and because of this, the cell would shut down and die.

XCC: Structure and Function

The cell supports the Cytoplasm by giving the Cytoplasm and the other organelles a home and a place to function. There are no other organelles that can serve the same function as Cytoplasm. The relationship of the cell and the cytoplasm is very similar to others I have learned about because, just like other structures and functions, without the function (Cytoplasm), the structure (cell) wouldn't be able to survive. I think that understanding the relationship between Cytoplasm and the cell and how the cell would react if there was no cytoplasm could help me "rule the world" by giving me some specific information about Structure and function of the cytoplasm and cell. This information could especially help me in the future if I decide to become a cell biologist when I grow up.

Cytoplasm 9/4

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Cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance that fills the cell. In fact, without cytoplasm the cell would be deflated. Cytoplasm is responsible for keeping the cell's shape. Did you know that Cytoplasm is located within the cell membrane of all types? This organelle is made up of 70% - 90% of water and is usually clear and colorless. Cytoplasm contains all of the organelles and cell parts. Most of the important activities of the cell occur in the Cytoplasm. This organelle contains enzymes which are responsible for breaking down waste and also aid in metabolic (related to the metabolism) activity. In addition, metabolic pathways like glycolysis and cellular processes like cell division take place in the cytoplasm. It helps movement of the cellular materials around the cell through a process called cytoplasmic streaming. Cytoplasm is responsible for passing material from one organelle to another easily.

S&EP- SP7: Engaging in argument from evidence

I used evidence to defend my explanation. I answered my group and I's questions providing the information we researched from websites as evidence. I formulated evidence based on solid data when I stated that without cytoplasm the cell wouldn't be able to survive using the information that my group and I found as evidence. I examined my own understanding in light of the evidence. I used to think that cytoplasm was a single structure in the cell, but because of the information that my group and I found now I think that cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance that fills the cell and keeps the organelles in place. I collaborated with my peers in searching for the best explanation. I did some research on how cytoplasm aids the other organelles which I discussed with my group. Together we figured out that the cytoplasm helps the other organelles by helping pass materials from one organelle to another easily.

XCC: Structure and Function

The structure of the cytoplasm supports it's function by making it responsible for keeping the cell's shape. Because the cytoplasm fills the cell, without the cytoplasm the cell would be deflated. In addition, since the cytoplasm contains all of the organelles and cell parts, it is responsible for passing material from one organelle to another easily. There are no other organelles that can serve these same functions. The structure and function of cytoplasm compares to the structure and function of us human beings by having some similarities and differences. If the substance of cytoplasm wasn't so watery when the plant cell is placed in a hyper-tonic solution , the water from inside the cell's cytoplasm wouldn't diffuse out and the plant cell wouldn't become "flaccid". Understanding the relationship between the structure and function of the cytoplasm can help me "take over the world" by giving me some specific knowledge about the cell which can help in the future if I choose to become a scientist when I grow up.