Science Class Week of 1/05/09

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!! =)

Okay, so this week in science class we had H.W. about plants, extra credit about fish, discussed photosynthesis, made an energy pyramid, did a worksheet, and had a quiz on photosynthesis.

Monday
On Monday 1/05/09:

Our class discussed the 4 main organelles used for energy and cell reproduction:

Mitochondria: Fermentation and cellular respiration happens here.

Nucleus: DNA replication and reproduction

Chloroplasts: Photosynthesis-to make energy from sunlight

Ribosomes: Protiensynthesis- to make protein

Tuesday
On Tuesday 1/06/09:

The next day we went over the H.W. we had :

Here are my answers. If you disagree with my answers, or I forgot something important please comment on my blog.

Q: If you could place a plant under water would it survive? What would you need to know? Could we survive without plants?

A: A plant placed underwater could only survive for a short time. While the plant would have sunlight and soil, it would only have it's supply of carbon dioxide from before it was placed in water. The plant could probably "hold it's breath" while underwater. However the plant could drown, and would not have enough carbon dioxide to live it's life.

The results could change though, depending on some variables. I would need to know:

How deep the water is and if the plant's leaves were out of the water. If they were they could get carbon dioxide.

If the plant was placed in dirt or not, because the plant could just float away and die.

If the water got enough sunlight for photosynthesis.

Whether the plant is aquatic or not.

No, we could not survive without plants. Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Plants recycle the carbon dioxide we don't need into oxygen. Humans and animals could only live for a short time until all the oxygen in the was all used up. Plant's also help reduce global warming. The use all the excess carbon dioxide that we pollute the Earth with. We all release carbon dioxide that plants need as well. We cannot survive without plants and plant can't survive without us.

After the H.W. we drew a picture showing a water particle. Some H2O or water molecules were going off the picture and evaporating. Other H2O, CO2, and O molecules were just going all over the place.

Then we put together a diagram on the Smart board about photosynthesis and respiration.

*Note: Plants breathe through an opening in the leaves called the Stomata

Okay here's a rundown of the diagram

Sunlight which is energy, water, and carbon dioxide go into the chloroplasts.

Sugar and Oxygen go into the Mitochondria.

Water, energy, and carbon dioxide come out.

Extra Credit:

The extra credit was how come fish can't breathe out of water?
I didn't really do the extra credit. We went over it in class the next day and it was because usually the fish gills filter the water. So, only oxygen molecules are big enough to get in. When a fish is taken out of water there are just way to many other chemicals that are small enough to get in. Any other comments on the extra credit would be really helpful.

Wednesday
On Wednesday 1/07/09:

Wednesday was a half day so we didn't get through to much.

We made a small diagram about how the sun's energy goes to plants, the plants get eaten by animals and the sun's energy is transferred, then humans eat the animals or plants and the sun's energy is transferred again.

Then our class made an Energy Pyramid.

Starting from the bottom is the sun the source of all living thing's energy.

Then it is the plants which are also called autrophs. They absorb the sunlight and turn it into a more usable source of energy.

Next it is the primary consumers, which are usually animals but can also be humans.

After that is the secondary consumers, which can be humans but, can also be animals that eat the animals.

Finally, the top of the pyramid is the tertiary consumers. They eat the animal, that ate the animal, that ate the plant.

The very top receives a 10% transfer of energy.

The more energy gets transferred the less percent of Jewels you get.

Energy is measured in Jewels.

That's the end of Wednesday.


Thursday
On Thursday 1/08/09:

I missed Thursday (I was at the Science Olympiad running around like an insane person like usual. =0) so I would really appreciate any comments on what we did.

Friday
On Friday 1/o9/09:

On Friday we took a photosynthesis quiz. The quiz lasted the whole period. I kind of wish I did my blog before the quiz to help me study. Oh well =) By the way did you guys thing the quiz was easy or hard. I don't think it was that hard but it wasn't easy either. Please tell me your opinions.

That's our week. =)