Forensic Frenzy!

Our 4 "blood" samples

Placing the samples into the wells in the gel.

Sample C showing clearly the red evil "gene"!!

As Higher and Intermediate 2 are studying DNA we had a look at a technique similar to the one they use for DNA profiling. We were using electrophoresis to seperate out 4 different "blood" samples. Which one contains the evil red gene? The class loaded the 4 samples into a gel and then ran an electric current through them. The seperate parts of the "blood" samples travel through the gel at different rates. We found that sample C contained the evil red "gene"!

Awesome Cells!!!

Nicol

Melissa
Conor (this had labels as well but we kept them off for the photo)

Daria

Georgina (along with a label about red blood cells)

Oliver

Nathan

Amy James

S1 have made some model cells at home and they are absolutely AWESOME. The class assessed each others work for creativity, appropriate materials that stayed together, clear correct labelling and shape. The results were as follows Nicol and Melissa joint first, Conor and Daria joint second, Oliver and Georgina joint third. I think they are super what do you think?

Worming your way out!

Intermediate 2 Biology are studying Natural Selection. Organisms best adapted to the environment survive and go on to produce offspring. So what colour of worm would be most suitable for survival? S3 are investigating this by placing out different coloured worms and looking to see which ones will "survive". To make it a "fair test" they have to make sure that their worms are all the same length so here they are cutting the green coloured "worms" equally to 4cm.

Full of hot air!

S2 are studying respiration. Today they blew down a straw into bicarbonate indicator to show that they breathe out carbon dioxide. The indicator changes from red to yellow when CO2 is present.

Keys

S3 have been learning about making a key to identify items. Here there are practising their skills by making a branched key and a pair statement key to identifiy various christmas decorations. The challenge though was to make the key in such a way that someone who could not see the items could identify them. They wrote out their keys then had someone from a different group try it out.

Yeast and balloons

Here are S2 results on fermentation. They added yeast sugar and water to a bottle and placed a balloon on top. This filled up with carbon dioxide inflating the balloon here is a wee picture showing our results.

Fungi

S2 are studying fungi. Here they are doing some experiments and finding out about useful fungi as well as ones that cause diseases.

DNA Your Bananas!!

Deborah and Robyn are studying DNA and today they were seperating out the DNA in bananas and oranges.

Plants pigments

Higher Biology hav been studying photosynthesis and today they used chromatography to seperate out the pigments in a leaf.

More bugs alive!!!

S2 plated out some petri dishes last week. They put sterile water at one side of the plate and a sample from there shoe on the other sides. Here are a couple of pictures of the bacteria and fungi we found growing when we went back to look at the plates today.

Water we take for granted

S1 are looking at water purification. Today they had a look at a child in Ethiopia, studied some of

the diseases and parasites found in her water and looked at what can be done by science to help solve the problem. Next week they will give a presentation on the problem, name three dangerous things found in Embert's water and say what could be done to solve the problem.

They are also keeping a seven day diary of how much water they use at home.

Bugs alive!!!

S2 are studying microbes. Today they took swabs of their hands washed and unwashed and wiped nutrient agar plates with them. We will see on monday what sort of bugs are growing on the plates. Don't worry everything is sterile and we will not open the plates up we will just look at the microbes through the petri dish lid!

Limiting factors in photosynthesis

!!! S4 are studying photosynthesis. They were investigating today how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis. Here are some pictures of a plant called Cabomba and Debbie calculating how much oxygen is produced per minute.

Rough Science

S1 are looking at ways of purifying water. Today they were doing a rough science challenge. They had a pond water sample, a cloth, sand, filter funnel, plastic sheeting, 2 night lights and a clamp stand. With these they were to look at ways to purify the water sample. Tomorrow we will look to see who managed to get there water the cleanest looking.