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Please join Zoom meeting in progress

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Best,

Jim Mueller

(919) 907-3217

Science Online Class information

Hi folks,

I'm still trying to tweak all this technology so that everyone can have the best easiest safest experience possible so here's a couple of new updates.

1.  I'm going to try posting the links to class to the Canvas site.  I'm going to post these as announcements so they should be right there when you log in.  Several folks have had their emails delayed for some reason and so they haven't been getting the emails on time.  I'm hoping this fixes that problem.  I will probably continue to send the links to class in emails as well.

2.  I'm going to start locking the classroom after about 5 minutes or so of class.  There are quite a few shenanigans going on out there with Zoom so I feel I need to lock down the classroom.  I've tried using the password option but there appears to be no way that I can see to keep someone in class from inviting their friends and sharing the password.  So, if you are late to class PLEASE TEXT ME! (919) 907-3217  I will try to keep my phone handy so that I can let you in.  

Best,

Jim Mueller

(919) 907-3217

Please join Zoom meeting in progress

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Best,

Jim Mueller

(919) 907-3217

Online classes for science

Hi all,

I hope everyone is safe and well.  

So here's the deal, when you get a chance, go to www.zoom.us and sign up for a free account.  You can use your Google account or Facebook account if you wish.  When you sign up you'll be prompted to download a "Zoom App" for the computer (or the phone for that matter).   Once you have that you will be ready to go.

You will want to do this before class time to make sure you're all set.

About 15 minutes or so before class I'll send a link that will take you directly to the class.

There's no need to have your camera on so please feel free to keep those turned off. 

Looking forward to "seeing" everyone soon!.

Best,

Jim Mueller
(919) 907-3217

The homework "quiz" for bio

Hi folks,

I'm still getting used to the Canvas quiz thing so this week's "quiz" is quite tricky to do well on.  Even if you get the right answer, if you don't get it EXACTLY right it doesn't give you credit.  I'm going to go in after you guys do the assignment and just mark the grade a full 100%.  Do the best you can, and be sure to study the answers so that you know what's right and wrong for future quizzes but don't worry about spelling errors or other minuscule problems.

Sorry about the frustration on this.  A lot of new stuff to learn in this new world of online grading.

Best,

Jim Mueller

(919) 907-3217

3/20 Biology update

Hi all,

The assignments have been uploaded to your Canvas site so you should all be able to take a look.  I've also redone one of the charts to put it in a slightly easier to read format for one of your homework assignments.  This chart and the picture on the Canvas site are primarily the same information.

Let me know if you have any questions. 

Best,

Jim Mueller

(919) 907-3217

Graded quizzes sent

Hi folks,

The graded quizzes have been sent so you should have them in your email.  Let me know if you don't see them.

Best,

Jim Mueller

(919) 907-3217

3/20 Biology class update

Hi all,

I'm missing having class today.   I hope you all are doing well.

Next week we will be having an online class.  I'll provide more information as we get closer but I've been using a service called Zoom and it is working very well so far.  It's actually kinda fun!  

I will be posting your homework to the Canvas site so be sure to sign up for your membership and take a look if you haven't already.  There will be some chapter reading and questions that you will be responsible for. There will also be an online assignment posted as well.  There is no quiz this week, but there will be next week (through Canvas) so be sure to spend some time really understanding the five basic kingdoms and the characteristics of each one.  The online assignment will focus on the most important aspects for you to know for next week's quiz.

I'll also be emailing you pictures of your most recent quizzes later today as well.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any problems.

Be healthy everyone and I'l "see" you all next week.

Best,

Jim Mueller

(919) 907-3217

Re: New information for Biology

Thanks, Jim.

What is the next step, once we have registered?

We cannot see any materials posted. Should there be any?

Will the classes be streamed through this platform? specifically, will there be an online Biology class today at 1:15?

Thanks so much,

Imke Nickelson


> On Mar 19, 2020, at 1:05 PM, Jim Mueller <jim@bitesizephysics.com> wrote:
>
> Hi folks,
>
> I hope everyone is doing well out there.
>
> Some NEW INFORMATION however, I am going to begin to use a service called Canvas in order to assign work, accept work and keep track of grades. I believe this will make things much easier for all of us as we go forward. This will be how you'll see your assignments, quizzes and grades as we go forward. Parents are also going to have access to the site and they will also be able to have access to grades and assignments as well.
>
> Soon you should receive an email with the subject "Canvas Free For Teachers". This has the link for you to click to register for the Canvas site. All you should have to do is click on in and then accept the invitation and you'll be all set.
>
> Be safe everyone!
>
> Best,
>
> Jim Mueller
> (919) 907-3217
>

New information for Biology

Hi folks,

I hope everyone is doing well out there.

Some NEW INFORMATION however, I am going to begin to use a service called Canvas in order to assign work, accept work and keep track of grades. I believe this will make things much easier for all of us as we go forward. This will be how you'll see your assignments, quizzes and grades as we go forward. Parents are also going to have access to the site and they will also be able to have access to grades and assignments as well.

Soon you should receive an email with the subject "Canvas Free For Teachers". This has the link for you to click to register for the Canvas site. All you should have to do is click on in and then accept the invitation and you'll be all set.

Be safe everyone!

Best,

Jim Mueller
(919) 907-3217

3/6 Biology Recording - Review and Speciation

Part 1

Part 2

3/6 Biology update and homework due 3/20

Hi folks,

First off, no class next week due to Spring Break!!!  Have a great break everyone!

This week we wrapped up our discussion of evolution by looking at the process of how organisms can evolve to become two distinct species.

We ran out of time for this video today in class but I'd recommend watching it if you get a chance.  It's about 8 minutes long and does a very nice job explaining the concepts of speciation.

For homework this week read pages 317- 330

Do questions on pg 332

Numbers 2, 6-19 and 21 - 25

Recordings of 2/28 Biology - Wrapping up Evolution

Part 1

Part 2

2/28 Biology Update and homework due 3/6

Hi folks,
Today we polished off evolution by talking about of few extra details and getting into the fact that, not only do physical characteristics evolve, but behaviors do as well. 

For homework this week I'd like to take the time to review much of what we've covered throughout the year so far.  Please do all the following questions and be sure to study them because they will probably be on an upcoming quiz.  (Most of these are going to be on the final as well.)

1.  What is the definition of hydrophilic?



2.   What is it about water that makes it polar?



3.  Draw the following functional groups.

a.  Amino



b.  Hydroxyl




c.  Phosphate




d.  Carboxyl



4.  Draw the 4 biological molecules.




5.   Give four examples of homeostasis.




6.    What does mRNA do?

7.  What does tRNA do?

8.  What is transcription?

9.  What does DNA Polymerase do?




10.  What does smooth endoplasmic reticulum do?

11.  What does rough endoplasmic reticulum do?

12.  What do chloroplasts do?

13.  What does the vacuole do?

14.  What do mitochondria do?

15.  What are two differences between plant and animal cells?



16. What are two differences between a prokaryotic and a eukaryotic cell?

17.  What three things do all cells have in common?



18.  What are the 4 bases in a DNA molecule?

19.  Which base pairs with which base?

20.  Which base is missing in RNA and what is it replace with?



21.  What is the difference between a trait and an allele?  Give me an example. 



22.  What is co-dominance?   Give me an example. 



23.  What is incomplete dominance?   Give me an example. 


24.  What is osmosis?


25.  Draw and label the steps in meiosis.  Describe the two places where genetic shuffling takes place.


26.  What is altruistic behavior?  Give an example. 



27.  What is learned behavior?  Give an example. 



28.  What is instinct?  Give an example. 



29.  What is selfish behavior?  Give an example. 



30.  What is social behavior?  Give an example.



31.  What is co-evolution?  Give an example.

Scientists discover first known animal that doesn't breathe | Live Science

Thought you all might find this interesting.   It appears that this is an animal that has evolved "backwards" from a jellyfish.  By backwards I mean it's gone from more complex to less complex.  It's quite fascinating!

https://www.livescience.com/first-non-breathing-animal.html

Data from the 2/21 Lab

BTW, the comment "Obama owns all" is due the fact they they named one of their "birds" Obama and it was the farthest flyer.  :)

Get Outlook for Android

2/21 Biology update and homework due 2/28

Hi folks,

Today we took the time to get deeper into evolution by really exploring the concept of natural selection.

With that in mind, we also did a very interesting lab today.  Using a paper airplane design as a model bird, we explored how random mutations and natural selection could slowly evolve a species into one that is more fit for its environment.

For homework this week please answer the following questions about today's lab.  I'll send data in a separate email so you can see a larger sample size.  The write up for the lab is on page 314 and 315 in your book if you wish to refer to it.  Even if you missed today, I think you can give a good shot at the homework.  With the data and the write-up in the book I'm pretty sure you can get a handle on what was going on.

There will be a quiz next week so please be prepared.  Some possible topics on the quiz include:  Darwin's 4 postulates, natural selection, genetic drift, stressors, natural selection (see question 15 below), allele frequency, non-Mendelian genetics, blood type problem, modes of selection (see questions 5 below). 

1. What was "selecting" for the successful bird?

2.  What represented the "mutations". 

3.  In each trial you used a "clone" of the previous generation.  Why is the term clone appropriate?

4.  Is this lab an example of disruptive, directive, or stabilizing selection?  (May need to use your notes or the book if you don't recall these terms.)  Why do you think so?

5.  Did each generation always progress?  In other words, did each generation get a farther flyer?

6.  How does this lab represent natural selection?

7.  In a way, there were three traits that were adapting in order to create a better flyer.  Which three traits were involved in this model?

8.  Describe two aspects of this investigation that model evolution of biological organisms.

9.  How might this lab help explain the observations Darwin made about finches on the Galapagos Islands?

10.  How would you say the term "fitness" is represented in this lab?

11.  Using this lab, give an example of each of Darwin's four postulates (DIOR).  (Hint: one of them actually is not represented in this lab.)

12.  How would you alter the lab if the environment this population of birds was in was very very windy, so that if a bird left the ground it may be blown out to sea?  What would you change to model this new scenario.

13.  This question is not based on the lab.  

In class we discussed four different "stressors".  Get food. Not be food, Reproduce, Climate.  For each stressor, give me an example of how natural selection could lead to an adaptation.  

For example, a species of bird is an insect eater.  All the birds in the population have beaks and some have beaks that are slightly longer than the others.  Those that have the longer beaks have an easier time finding food so they live longer, are stronger, and can reproduce more.  Due to that, the allele for longer beaks becomes more and more prevalent in the population.  Please give me another example of "Get Food" as well as the other three.  I highly recommend putting some thought into this as a version of this question will be on an upcoming quiz.

2/21 Biology Recording - Natural Selection and the Harvey-Weinberg Theorem

Hi folks,

I"m including the recording from one of my other biology classes.  We had a great discussion today but we didn't cover as much material as clearly as I would have liked.  This recording does a better job really focusing on the important material.

https://youtu.be/g6-0B7JKC6M

Class is ON for today

Hi folks,

We may be missing a couple of folks but it looks like enough of us can make it that we will hold class today.  

See you all soon!

Best,

Jim Mueller

(919) 907-3217

Re: Class tomorrow?

Team time is still happening at the Y this morn...

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 21, 2020, at 7:45 AM, Imke <imke.nickelson@gmail.com> wrote:

In our neighborhood - close to Duke's West campus - the roads are fine. I am not sure how they will be on Mt. Sinai.

We'd be ok with giving it a try.

Thanks,

Imke Nickelson 

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 20, 2020, at 23:33, Jim Mueller <jim@bitesizephysics.com> wrote:

Hi all,

I'm betting by class time most of the roads will be OK to drive on but, please when you get a chance, let me know if you feel you will be able to make it to class.

Thanks!

Jim Mueller

(919) 907-3217