Ecology Around School by Steven

In Biology we did a Lab about ecology and how it affected the plants. So my group and I went to three different areas and collected one plant from each area. The first place that we went to was behind the soccer field. It was very barren and dead, with the occasional healthy plants. So we collected a chamomile. It was a little complex and it was very healthy. It had a bud that was yellow. Each little yellow dot on the bud was separated and connected to the stem. When the stem was cut in half it was made up of tiny strands that could only be seen with a magnifying glass.

            The second area we went to was to the right of the barren wasteland. It was very wet and had a small stream. It mainly had Cattails there. It was infested with all sorts of bugs. The second plant that we collected was a Cattail. The outer shell was hard and was difficult to cut open. The outer shell is also water resistant. This is so the seeds inside don’t get soggy and die. The inside of the shell is fluffy and full of seeds. This plant isn’t very complex. 

            The third area was the soccer field. It was very wet. There were bugs that inhabited the grass. The plant we collected was grass. The grass was very green and healthy. The grass was very thin and it was made up of many strands that were connected.  

Ecology by Spencer

Ecology is a branch of Biology that studies the interactions between organisms and their environment. It talks about the interactions organisms have with each other, different organisms and nonliving (abiotic) things. Some ecologists talk about the amount (biomass), number (population) and diversity of different organisms. They also talk about how organisms compete and cooperate among each other in their ecosystem.

           

            An ecosystem is made up of multiple parts that interact with each other. An organism is part of an ecosystem. There are living things (abiotic) such as plants and animals and nonliving things (abiotic) such as rocks, water and air. Soil can be considered both.

Ecology can also be considered a human science because it can apply to more practical uses. Some examples of these are: agriculture, forestry, fisheries and wetland management.

COOL FACTS:

●       In the 1700s scientists began to understand food chains, population management, and heredity.

●       The term “Ecology” was made by Ernst Haeckel in 1866.

●       Hippocrates and Aristotle were some of the first recorded scientists to write down their observations of what they thought ecology was.

So overall ecology is a very important branch of Biology. It shows us how organisms react with biotic and abiotic in their ecosystems.

Nitrogen Cycle, by Sara Jane

The nitrogen cycle is vital for life on earth. Animals depend on nitrogen, and nitrogen can be found almost anywhere. A cycle takes place that flows nitrogen through earth and life. This nitrogen cycle affects humans and animals tremendously.

            Nitrogen is virtually everywhere and organisms are dependent on it. Animals, plants, and humans all use nitrogen to control metabolism normality and biochemical normality. Without nitrogen, most organisms could not function. The air that supports life is composed of about 79% nitrogen. However, humans and animals cannot use nitrogen in its gaseous state. Plants store up nitrate ions for energy. Animals and humans eat these plants for energy, therefore consuming these nitrate ions as well. Nitrogen can also be processed into proteins; if an animal is eaten by a human, the protein from this animal supplies the human body with nitrogen.

            This nitrogen is processed through living organisms and the natural world. The nitrogen cycle starts with the atmosphere, which contains air. As aforementioned, the air is composed of 79% of nitrogen. The plants soak up the nitrogen as nitrate ions through the air. Animals and humans eat these plants, providing them with the nitrogen they need. When a living organism dies or disposes of waste, the nitrogen goes into the soil. Through weather, the soil and nitrogen can be picked up by runoff and into water. Water is evaporated to the atmosphere, and thus begins the cycle again.

            Why does the nitrogen cycle affect animals and humans? The nitrogen cycle creates a large portion of food sources for animals and humans. Nitrogen is essential for living organisms because of its metabolic and biochemical properties. Animals or humans without nitrogen develop nitrogen deficiencies. Nitrogen creates hormones that regulate the human body.  Cellar growth is attributed to nitrogen. Not having nitrogen will cause a lack of hormones and cellar growth as well as unbalance the metabolic and biochemical process. Malnutrition can cause nitrogen deficiencies as well as a poor diet. The nitrogen cycle provides a source of nitrogen as organisms cannot use nitrogen in a gaseous state.

            The nitrogen cycle is fundamental in life and normality on earth. Living organisms depend on nitrogen, and the nitrogen cycle provides the source. Nitrogen effects life to a great amount.

  

Sources:

N/a. "The Nitrogen Cycle." The Nitrogen Cycle. N/a, 23 Sept. 2003. Web. 16 Sept. 2015. <http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/N/NitrogenCycle.html>.

N/A, Salina. "Nitrogen Deficiency Symptoms: Treatment For Deficiency Of Nitrogen." Tandurust. Social Apps, 11 May 2011. Web. 16 Sept. 2015. <http://www.tandurust.com/alternativetherapies/nitrogen-deficiency-treatment.html>.

First two weeks by Connor

In science we have been learning about observation and how to use different senses, along with rules and safety procedures. In the past week I learned that I use my sense of sight and sound more than I do feeling, smelling, and taste(though food is an exception). The observable fact is that I am somewhat well at describing things, not in GREAT detail but enough to be able to figure out what I’m talking about; and possibly picture it in your head. Learning observation was great because I can use it at home when I want to conduct an experiment with, let’s say the different explosive qualities of magnesium, black powder, and smokeless powder.*

 A couple interesting facts about your senses, Number one: you do not NEED your sense of smell, though the benefits of such can be rewarding or entirely useless. Number Two: Did you know that you taste things with small bristles, or bumps on your tongue? They are called taste buds, and the average human has anywhere from 2000 to 8000 just on there tongue alone. Number Three: did you know that you hear because there is a small bone in your ear that vibrates constantly according to what sound is given off? But be careful they don’t grow back once broke, and loud noises can hurt it, or even fracture it.  I leave you today with the following question; Why are we like this? Why weren’t we born with let’s say 4 legs, instead of 2? Why do humans have a sense that isent necessary for survival anymore? What do brownies have to do with what I just said? (It doesn’t, I just love brownies!)

*Note from Ms Raino: I sincerely hope the Connor is obeying laws and safety whenever he does non-school experiments. Also, brownies are delicious.

Scientific Method by Kashya

This week we have been learning about the scientific method. The scientific method is an organized procedure you take when you have a question you want to be answered or when you have something that you really want to find out . 

Something I find very interesting about this topic is that it is such a good and organized way of getting information.

Three interesting facts that go along with The Scientific Method are:

1)      The scientific method is not the only way of finding out information in an organized matter.

2)      People will unconsciously use the scientific method on a daily basis.

3)      There are not right or wrong ways of making a hypothesis or asking questions or making observations. So its very hard to mess up when using this method.

A question i have about this method is ; what do you do if you find yourself off track when following the steps?

An Experiment for you would be; focus throughout the day and try to figure out how often you end up using this method without even trying!

 

Second Annual Self-Propelled Derby!

Today the physical science students will be starting on the journey to the second annual self-propelled vehicle derby.

This year, students will have a central hub for the project. Here they will be posting their work, showing off their cars, and reflecting on the experience. Community members are invited to view what is happening and check in.

https://sites.google.com/a/gvsd.net/gv-physical-science-2015-self-propelled-vehicles/