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/

Welcome Back!

It is the start of a new school year. There is an open house this Thursday from 5-7, and I encourage all parents to attend. I'll have information about dual credit, projects, and classroom policies.

Stay tuned for more information shortly.

Water in the West: What teachers do over the summer

What do teachers do over the summer break? We plan, we re-write lessons, we recharge, and we attend workshops and conferences related to our field.

Recharging with a hike

This last week I attended a workshop put on by BSU called Water in the West that dealt with the economics, politics, and science surrounding that post precious of resources- water. We listened a guest speakers from the Idaho Department of Water Resources, United Water (the provide water for the city of Boise), Idaho Power, and Idaho Rivers United (a non-profit group). Each speaker had a different view of how water was used in the state of Idaho, and in addition I learned a lot of about the treaties and laws in our state that govern how water is used. It was fascinating!

Idaho: Definitely a desert

I'll leave you with the same question they asked us at the beginning of the workshop: How does water impact your life?

Also, who decides what to do with the limited water we so have?

Resource Use by Spencer

The last subject our class learned about was resource use. The whole world depends on resources, some countries more than others. Some people use way to many nonrenewable resources, which could cause that particular resource to be depleted. Because of that some people are trying to conserve resources, or come up with alternatives. An example of this is, instead of using electricity to power a house; people might use solar panels on their roof.

      Using fossil fuels and natural gas/oil is bad because they are nonrenewable resources. It takes these resources over thousands of years to renew. We humans are using these resources way too much. At this rate we will run out of fossil fuels by around 2090.

As I said before the world is running out of resources, but there are many other alternatives that can help us slow down or even stop this problem. Solar panels, wind turbines and dams are all a better alternative. The world isn’t going to run out of sun, wind or water.

The most reliable alternative resource is solar panels. The use the sun as power. They convert the suns energy and use it to power homes or cities. Dams are very useful too. They use the flowing water to do the same thing that solar panels do. As you probably may have guessed, wind turbines use wind to get natural electricity. The only downfall to wind turbines is that wind doesn’t always blow, so they aren’t extremely reliable.

When it comes to food resources, the world isn’t lacking. What is lacking is the distribution of the food. I made a brochure on fish Idaho’s fish resource. People have started to over fish, so the only way we can stop that is by having fishing seasons and limits on how many fish you can catch.

Electric cars could become very useful in the near future. This way people use less gas (which is nonrenewable) and won’t pollute the air with exhaust. I think the best car to use is a hybrid car. Some of the time you use gas, but at other times you use electric power.

SO overall I think the world should start using solar panels, wind turbines, dams and even electric/hybrid cars to slow down the depletion of resources. This world is ours, so why shouldn’t we try to help save it.

Equilibrium by Jesse

The point in time when both the product’s and reactant’s concentration are no longer changing.

Summary

Equilibrium occurs in reversible reactions when the concentrations of the product and reactant are no longer changing. In a reversible reaction the product will turn back into the reactant so the reaction becomes a continuous cycle.

During a reversible reaction there is a certain percentage of the reactant of the product that reacts each ‘step’. That percentage of the reactant is subtracted from the previous amount of the reactant and added on to the previous amount of product, this is called the the change forward. It is the same for the product; that percentage of the product is subtracted from the product and added on to the reactant. Once equilibrium occurs the change forward and the change reverse become the same and no longer change.

Facts

Equilibrium only occurs in reversible reactions because it is the only type of reaction that some of the product can and will turn back into the reactant.

The reaction never actually stops but since the change forward and change reverse become the same the amount of the product and reactant do not change and equilibrium is reached.

Change in temperature and pressure will cause a change in equilibrium and therefore change the concentrations of the products and/or reactants.

Visual

Here is a table to help your understanding.

The “certain percentages” are 60% of the reactant and 20% of the product

In the 1st step 60% of 10 equals 6 and 20% of 0 is 0. The equation for the reactant will be 10 - 6 + 0 = 4 and for the product 0 + 6 - 0 = 6. The next step 4 and 6 will be used at the start instead of 10 and 0.

Equilibrium is reached at step 5.

		60%	20%
		Reactant	Product
1st Step	Starting Amount	10	0
	Change Forward	-6	+6
	Change Reverse	+0	-0
	End	=4	=6
2nd Step	Change Forward	-2.4	+2.4
	Change Reverse	+1.2	-1.2
	End	=2.8	=7.2
3rd Step	Change Forward	-1.68	+1.68
	Change Reverse	+1.44	-1.44
	End	=2.56	=7.44
4th Step	Change Forward	-1.54	+1.54
	Change Reverse	+1.49	-1.49
	End	=2.5	=7.5
5th Step	Change Forward	-1.5	+1.5
	Change Reverse	+1.5	-1.5
	End	=2.5	=7.5
6th Step	Change Forward	-1.5	+1.5
	Change Reverse	+1.5	-1.5
	End	=2.5	=7.5

Importance

            The system that transports and delivers oxygen in the body depends on the reversable reaction, and equilibrium, between the oxygen and the hemoglobin in the blood. Most of the oxygen gets bonded with the hemoglobin molecules. The hemoglobin then carries the oxygen to the body tissues.

Question

How/why does temperature and pressure affect equilibrium?