Mrs. Shook’s Blog

ESSAY QUESTION:  Compare and contrast the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.  Within your answer include where the two processes take place, the products of both, the reactants of both and the differences between the two processes.

Topics to review:

1.  Enzymes and associated vocabulary:  Enzyme, catalyst, substrate, active site, activation energy and lock and key model.

2.  Difference between ADP and ATP.

3.  Carbohydrates, lipids and proteins in terms of energy production.

4.  Photosynthesis – be able to label a chloroplast; equation.

5. Photosynthesis – What are the products of the light reactions?  What are the products of the dark reactions?  What is the Calvin Cycle?

6.  Photosynthesis – understand the whole process, including how molecules move through the photosynthetic process.

7.  Cellular Respiration – be able to label a mitochondria; equation

8.  Cellular Respiration – What are the products of the Krebs cycle for one pyruvate and for one glucose?  What are the products of the electron transport chain?  How does glucose get broken down in glycolysis and then the Krebs cycle.

9. Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration – know the products/reactants of both.

10.  Fermentation – What is the purpose of fermentation?

11.  Fermentation – What are the products of lactic acid fermentation and Alcoholic fermentation?  Where do both occur?

12.  Purpose of ATP synthase

This is not a complete list.  Anything in your notes is fair game.  Good luck studying!

Here is a list of the topics covered throughout the course of the last 3 weeks.  The list is comprehensive, but not all inclusive, therefore, ensure to review all the notes and homework given.

1.  Robert Hooke

2.  The Cell Theory

3. Differences between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells.

4.  Definition of an organelle

5.  Organelles:  structure, function and type of cell organelle is found in:  cytoskeleton, nucleus, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, golgi apparatus, vesicles, mitochondria, vacuole, lysosomes, centrioles, cell wall, chloroplasts

6.  Identify all organelles in a plant or animal cell

7.  Describe the structure and function of the cell membrane

8.  Components of a phospholipid (including polar and nonpolar parts)

9.  Be able to construct a cell membrane with all associated components

10.  Characteristics that give the fluid mosaic model its name.

11.  Explain selectively permeable.

12.  How small, polar molecules, small nonpolar molecules and large molecules can get through the cell membrane.

13.  What are receptors and ligands?

14.  Understand the difference between the intracellular receptor and membrane receptor.

15.  What is passive transport?  List three examples.

16.  Definitions including:  Diffusion, concentration gradient, facilitated diffusion, osmosis.

17.  Understand the osmosis bell work that we reviewed in class and understand the effects of a solution being isotonic, hypertonic and hypotonic on a cell.

18.  Describe active transport and provide one specific example.

19.  How active transport and passive transport are related to the concentration gradient.

20.  Name the four characteristics of transport proteins.

21.  Examine the proton pump and explain its use in terms of active transport.

22.  Describe Endocytosis (including phagocytosis)

23.  Describe how phagocytosis is related to white blood cells.

24.  Describe exocytosis and its involvement in signaling between nerve cells.

25.  Be able to draw both endocytosis and exocytosis.

26.  Compare and contrast passive transport and active transport.

GOOD LUCK!!!  See you Wednesday!

A special shout-out to Sarah E.!!!  Thanks for visiting after school!

Please review the topics listed below for the quiz tomorrow.

1.  Carrying capacity

2.  Current Human Population

3.  Four ways humans have modified their natural environment.  Be sure to include explanations.

4.  Renewable Resources

5.  Nonrenewable Resources

6.  What can the United States learn from Easter Island.

7.  Ecological Footprint

8.  Pollution

9.  Smog (including 2 components)

10.  Acid Rain and why it is acidic!!

11. Carbonic Acid

12.  Greenhouse effect

13.  Greenhouse Gases

14.  Rising and Falling CO2 levels

15.  Greenhouse effect diagram in notes

16.  Global Warming

17.  Indicator Species (including examples)

18.  Biomagnification

19.  Energy pyramid vs. Biomagnification

20.  Biodiversity

21.  Habitat Fragmentation

22.  Introduce (Invasive Species) – including effect on native species and economic damage

23.  Sustainable Development with examples

24.  EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

This list is only a rough outline of the topics that should be studied for the test Monday.  I encourage you to not only know the definitions of the vocab, but to understand and be able to apply the concepts.  Another great way to study is to take the quizzes associated with the online book.  Please remember that if it is not in your notes, or on this list, you are not responsible for that information.

Vocabulary:

1. Ecology

2. Abiotic factors

3. Biotic factors

4. Keystone species

5. Photosynthesis

6. Producers and Consumers

7. Food Chain

8. Trophic Levels

9. Food Web

10. Types of Consumers (Herbivores, Carnivores, Omnivores, Detritivores, Decomposers)

11. Habitat

12. Niche

13. Exponential Growth

14. Carrying Capacity

15. Population Crash

16. Density-Dependent Limiting Factors

17. Density-Independent Limiting Factors

18. Competition

19. Predation

20. Symbiotic Relationships (Mutualism, Commensalism and Parasitism)

Concepts

1.  Direct Survey vs. Indirect Survey

2. Field Experiments vs. Lab Experiments (Positives and Negatives of both)

3. Levels of Organization

4. Energy Pyramid

5. Biomass pyramid

6. Pyramid of numbers

7.  How a food web relates to the word interconnectedness.

8.  Ecological Equivalents vs. Competitive Exclusion

9. Population Fluctuations (Patterns between interacting organisms – Ex:  Moose and Wolf Graph)

10. Reasons for Population Fluctuations:  Birth Rate, Death Rate, Immigration, Emigration (One of the scenarios you created will be on the test)

11. Determining Population Density

12. Reasons associated with population dispersion (Clumped, Random, Uniform)

13.  Survivorship Curve and its relationship to reproduction in animals

14.  Carrying capacity and the effects of environmental changes

15.  Technology’s influence on human population growth or decline

GOOD LUCK and a shout out to Mackenzie!!!!

Keystone species are organisms that have an unusually large effect on the ecosystem.  Beavers are an excellent example of a keystone species because they have an unusual impact on the environment by turning running water into still water causing changes in organism populations.  A few other examples include:

1.  Black-tailed prairie dogs.

2.  Sea Otter

3.  Fresh Water Bass

4.  Welk (A kind of elongated snail)

5.  Starfish (Pisaster ochracues)

6.  Elephants (Forest or Savannah)

7.  Acorn Bansksia

8.  Grizzly Bear

9.  Tiger Sharks

10.  Beaver

Not only is it important for individuals to be aware of energy policy, but it is equally important that everyone understands the environmental policies put forth by the U.S. government.  Obama has introduced a specific agenda to address environmental issues.  I encourage you to visit the following website to explore his beliefs and polices.  If these changes are made, how will they affect you as an individual?  Do you see any flaws in the policies presented?  Who will benefit or suffer from these polices economically and do you think the policies are economically driven?

Website: Obama’s Environment and Energy Policy

Summer cannot only be sweltering for humans, but plants as well.  In the summer it is especially important to ensure that plants are watered regularly.  Few plants actually blossom in the summer, but one great flower to look for are sunflowers because they love sun and warm weather.  Not only are they beautiful, but they also attract birds and butterflies!  This plant is a North American Native and was a key food source for native peoples long ago.  In fact, they still serve as a food source today as many people love to eat sunflower seeds.  Interestingly, these flowers will face the sun when they bloom!

As the temperatures start to soar in mid-summer, ensure that your energy use through air-conditioning  your home does not. A few tips to reduce energy use are:

1. Use awnings or deciduous plants to shade your home or backyard area.
2. Keep your air conditioner condenser shaded.
3. Close off rooms that do not need cooling.
4. Close your windows whenever you are cooling your home.

I hope these tips help you beat the heat!!!

Happy Summer!

National Geographic is a great website to visit to get up to date information on environmental and ecological issues facing the world today.  I encourage you to use this resource to explore ecology, other cultures and environmental issues facing all of us today!

National Geographic