Fall 2011 Welcome to My Biology Class

New Semester, New students
WELCOME!

HONORS:Here are some links you will need to refer to this semester:
Sas in schools link: http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/
LOGIN: spoint (put in top right box)
then Just put the assignment # in the quick launch box (Green Go next to it)

NPR link: http://www.sciencefriday.com/

HONORS:First SAS assignment due on 9-2-2011, It's a virtual lab on the carbon cycle, the QL# is 952. put the # in the QL# box and click go. First watch the video, then press start, read the instructions ( all of them, you'll have to scroll down) then close the instruction box.
The instructions will take you through the process step -by-step, just read them, answer the questions and complete your data entries. REMEMBER TO SAVE YOUR WORK! IT WILL DISAPPEAR WHEN YOU CLOSE OUT OF SAS!!!

ALL STUDENTS:
Directions for WINDOW PANES: Divide an index card into quarters. ( we will use a modified "notebook" this semester) In the top left square Write the term. In the top right square give a synonym (example) or antonym for the term. (remember it doesn't have to be a literal synonym! )
For the word OBSERVATION a synonym could be smelling since using any of our senses is a way to make an observation in science.
In the bottom left square describe the term using your own words.
In the bottom right square give an illustration of the term or synonym (NOT the Antonym)
An example would be drawing a ruler or calculator for the term "data". If you are not comfortable with drawing, you can create a multiple choice question for the term. Extra creative cards = extra credit!
Window pane terms , set 1, DUE: 9-1-11
1. Photosynthesis- the process of making food (glucose) using sunlight.
2. Autotrophs- organisms that make their own food using photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
3. Heterotrophs- organisms that have to consume other organisms to obtain the energy they need to survive.
4. Consumers- organisms that have to eat other organisms
5. Producers- organisms that make food for other organisms
6. Individual- one member (organism) of a particular species.
7. Population- all of the members of a particular species
8. Community- all of the different types of living organisms in a given area
9. Ecosystem- all of the living and non-living things in a given area
10. Omnivore- organism that eats plants and animals for its energy needs
11. Herbivore- organism that only eats plants for its energy needs
12. Carnivore-organism that only eats animals for its energy needs
13. Detritivore- organism that eats dead things for its energy needs
14. Decomposer- organism that breaks organic matter down into its basic elements.
15. Biomass- the weight of organic matter in a given area.
16. Abiotic factors- non-living things that exist and play a role in an organism's environment.
17. Biotic factors- living things in the environment
18. Symbiosis- a close relationship between two organisms
19. Limiting factors- anything that contributes to the survival and reproduction of an organism, therefore if there is not enough of it, the population will decrease. (water, food, habitat are examples)
20. Carrying capacity- the maximum amount of organisms that can live in an area. (note: this is usually determined by the limiting factors in an environment)