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.