Category: Grade 9

Mutation Story

isabellet2015 on

Hello, I am a gene with Down Syndrome. Something called Trisomy 21 happened to me to cause this mutation, trisomy 21 means that my host has an extra copy of chromosome 21. This happened because one of my hosts parents passed on an extra chromosome 21 while my host was being created. Down Syndrome effects different hosts in different ways, most hosts will have very distinct physical differences. Many hosts have a flatter face and small head. The way Down Syndrome effects the hosts intellectual and developmental skills differs from person to person. Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder which means my host has Down Syndrome because of something that happened while their parents were reproducing and they were developing.
What Questions did you need to research in order to create your mutation story?

I researched questions like:
What is Down Syndrome?
How is Down Syndrome caused?
What are the effects of Down Syndrome?

What digital tools did you use to work through this project?
For this project I mainly just used the Internet to find the information I needed

How did you verify the information you found?
-I checked multiple websites to see if everyone was saying the same thing, and looked if the website was clear of advertisements and strange information

Sammy Sperm Story

isabellet2015 on

Sammy, like any other normal sperm was born in Testes hospital. He moved into his house in the local town, epididymis. Sammy knew he was destined for greatest when he was rapidly sent out onto the vas deferens highway with others just like him. They travelled together down the highway, past lake bladder, stopping quickly at seminal vesicle diner before making their way past P.G. Acid Proofing and C.G. Lube. Sammy races the others down Urethra expressway and before he knew it Sammy had entered Vaginaland. Making his way through the gates of Cervix Station, Sammy makes his way into Uterusville. Sammy doesn’t know exactly what he’s searching for but he makes his way up Oviduct Road, a dark long road with no apparent destination.
Sammy suddenly spots her, Ms. Ovum. She must have come from Ovary Island and Sammy knew what he needed to do. He races faster than all the other Sperm and reaches Ms. Ovum first. Together, Ms. Ovum and Sammy travel down to Uterusville where they will live together happily.

DNA Bracelets

isabellet2015 on

1. What is the genetic code?

The genetic code is how DNA stores the genes information, it is a series of letters that represent different bases. A (adenine) G (guanine) C (cytosine) and T (thymine) when these letters are put together in threes they create a DNA triplet.

2. What is RNA for?

RNA is a small strand that carries information of how to create protein from one gene to ribosomes, it fits through the pores in the nuclear membrane and carries the triplets or Codons.

3. How does your bracelet model the genetic code?

Each colour represents a base letter (A,T,G, or C)

Three colours together create a DNA triplet and each triplet represents a letter in the alphabet, helping to spell out my name in froot loops.

image

DNA

isabellet2015 on

1. What is DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is a molecule containing information and instructions making up who you are. It is made up of two strands with smaller base pairs connecting them. DNA is twisted into a spiral shape called “double helix.”

 

2.

– Licorice: The licorice represents the two strands creating the backbone for the DNA.

– Marshmallows: The marshmallows represent the base pairs A T C and G. Adenine (yellow), Thymine (orange), Cytosine (pink), and Guanine (green)

– Toothpicks: The toothpicks represent the “steps” connecting the backbone together.

 

3. Yes this activity helped me to understand DNA structure because it gave a visual and hands on way to learn. The colours helped me understand how the A T C and G are paired together.

 

 

image

image

 

image

Expanding Universe Lab

isabellet2015 on

Explain what balloon + dots represent
The dots represent galaxies and the balloon represents the universe.

Which letter(s) move the farthest from M? Which moved the least?
D dot moved the farthest from M, while A stayed closest.

Summarize the trend: movement of galaxies. Related to distance from M
The galaxies that were closer to M move less than the ones that we far away from M

How does this experiment model what is occurring in our expanding universe? In what ways does the balloon not represent the universe?
This lab models how the galaxies move apart as the universe expands. The balloon doesn’t represent the universe because the ballon expands when air is blown into it, which is not the same for our universe

BC Power Story

isabellet2015 on

Hydroelectric Power

Hydroelectricity all starts at a dam, where falling water flows down the penstock and rotates a turbine. This turbine is connected to a generator which converts the kinetic energy to electrical energy. The energy from the generator has a very low voltage but to be transported over long distances efficiently, the step up transformers increase it to a higher voltage. This high voltage electricity is carried via grid transmission lines. Terminal stations control the power flow in grid transmission lines and reduce the voltage to be carried in subtransmission lines, which supply power to industries or distribution substations. The distribution substation is a system of transformers, meters, and control and protective devices that reduces the voltage for residential customers, like your home.

Pros: process is safe for humans and environment, renewable resources
Cons: building of dams and plants could affect the environment

image
Thermal Power

Water within a boiler is heated up and changed into steam. The steam turns the turbine and the kinetic energy from the turbine works the generator. The generator produces electricity and the kinetic energy is converted to electrical energy.

Pros: cheap and easy to find resources
Cons: pollution (greenhouse gases) and non renewable resources

image
Sources:
BC Hydro
BBC

Picture Sources:

www.bchydro.com/energy-in-bc

www.portmoody.ca/index

Science App Review

isabellet2015 on

 

 

I chose the app K12 Periodic Table. This app gives information on all of the elements within the periodic table.

Questions:

 

1. Is it easy to use?

– Yes, it is self explanatory and the features of the app move and function well.

2. Is the information useful?

– Yes, this app shows information on all elements on the periodic table. It includes the atomic mass, the atomic number, melting point, boiling point and many other things.

3. Could you use it to study?

– Yes, although their is no option for flash cards or studying, it is good to review information about the elements and periodic table.

4. Is it clear/organized?

– The layout is easy to read and understand and it is easy to maneuver through the app to find the information you need.

5. Is the information appropriate for this grade level?

– There is some information on each element that we have not learned and is more advance than what we are learning this year but also includes what we need now.

6. What are some of the best features within this app?

– Very organized, colour coded and easy to use. Includes a legend and easy access to information on all elements.

7. What is something you would add to make this app better?

– I would add an option to see a Bohr model, or some sort of model of the element.

Pictures:

image

image