Investigations in Science 7 April 15, 2016

What we did this week:

We began the week learning about mutations. Changes (mutations) to genes
can result in changes to proteins, which can affect the structures and functions of
the organism and thereby change traits. Some changes are beneficial, others
harmful, and some neutral to the organism.
We then came back to the clients students picked at the beginning of the
unit. Each set of clients had a genetic disorder (along with other traits) that they
are trying to determine if they will pass on to their offspring. Students already
researched the 4 disorders earlier (Huntingtons, sickle cell, cystic fibrosis, or
achondroplasia), but we looked at different people living with the disorders to
getting a better understanding of their life with the disorder.
Students then completed a microarray lab to determine if their clients
offspring has the genetic disorder. A microarray is a lab technique that they used
to determine the genotype for one trait of their clients offspring.
A microarray works by allowing you to visualize what genes are expressed in
a cell. This is done by placing DNA samples on a plate that contains wells. If a
person is homozygous dominant, the sample will be the color PINK on the plate. A
person that is homozygous recessive will show the color BLUE on the plate. An
individual that is heterozygous will show a mix of both colors and appear PURPLE on
the plate. (See picture below)

Today, we will be practicing using some tools and skills that will be needed in
a lab we will complete next week. We will practice using a micropipette to move a
small amount of liquid from one location to another. We will also practice loading
the liquid into a gel that has been made on a petri dish. I will upload pictures of
the lab on my website. The practicing of these techniques will make our lab results
more accurate next week when we complete a gel electrophoresis lab. Today is our
day to make all of our mistakes.
Announcements:
We will be beginning our last unit next week. The new unit will focus on
Earths history and biological evolution. Look in your childs agenda book for when
they can clean out their science section this week. They should be keeping their
warm up sheet in their science section and leaving all the other papers in a safe
place at home.
I will be out of the building on Wednesday-Friday of next week on the
Extreme Outdoor Ed trip with 23 Farquhar students. I will have limited access to
email (if at all). I will get back to any emails when I return from the trip.
Coming Up:
Topics:
Gel Electrophoresis
RFP
Dates:
Dates:
April 22 - Report Card Distribution

April 18-26 - FMS Art Show @ Lakeforest Mall

April 20-22 - Extreme Outdoor Education
April 26 - No School
April 28 - Outsiders Day
April 28 - Take Your Child to Work Day
May 4 International Night 6:00-8:00 pm
May 10 - PTA Meeting @ 7:00 pm
May 12 - Career Day
May 18 - Spring Concert at Sherwood HS @ 7:00 pm
May 19 - Last Day of After School Activities
May 20-22 - Music Field Trip in Ohio
May 26 - PTA Cheeburger Cheeburger Dine Out Night
June 3 - SSL Hours due
June ??? - Last Day of School