Exploration ReportsExploration Reports

Trimester 2Trimester 2

The BasisThe Basis

• I want you to explore some things you I want you to explore some things you are interested in that is related to the are interested in that is related to the topics we are studyingtopics we are studying

• You will go a little deeper into those that You will go a little deeper into those that you are more interested inyou are more interested in

• It will enrich your biology experienceIt will enrich your biology experience

The RulesThe Rules

• We will be working on these once a We will be working on these once a week in the computer lab or libraryweek in the computer lab or library

• This is your time to work on itThis is your time to work on it• Failing to complete it during this time Failing to complete it during this time

means you will have this as homeworkmeans you will have this as homework• Must be working on this project while in Must be working on this project while in

class, no other homework can be doneclass, no other homework can be done

The AssignmentThe Assignment• You will write 3 reports by February 23You will write 3 reports by February 23rdrd

• The reports each will be two - three pages The reports each will be two - three pages typedtyped• 1- 2 pages are the report, 1 page is your 1- 2 pages are the report, 1 page is your

bibliography (bibliography (must use 3 sources for each must use 3 sources for each reportreport))

• 1.5 spaced1.5 spaced• 1 inch margins1 inch margins

• The final two weeks you will develop a The final two weeks you will develop a PowerPoint to summarize your reportsPowerPoint to summarize your reports

The Summary PPThe Summary PP

• You will present this to the class as your You will present this to the class as your final test for this classfinal test for this class

• It will be an overview of your 3 reportsIt will be an overview of your 3 reports• Must use:Must use:

• Presentation StylePresentation Style• Animations and Slide TransitionsAnimations and Slide Transitions• Pictures, Graphics, or VideoPictures, Graphics, or Video

GradingGrading

• This project will be your final testThis project will be your final test• You will hand everything in during finals You will hand everything in during finals

weekweek• ½ the grade is the 2 reports½ the grade is the 2 reports• ½ the grade is the powerpoint.½ the grade is the powerpoint.

Possible TopicsPossible Topics• The history of the discovery of DNAThe history of the discovery of DNA• Any genetic disorders (can only do one)Any genetic disorders (can only do one)• Summary of who Watson & Crick are Summary of who Watson & Crick are

and why they are important and their and why they are important and their history.history.

• The history of the Human Genome The history of the Human Genome Project and where it is going.Project and where it is going.

• How DNA fingerprinting is done and How DNA fingerprinting is done and how reliable it is, what does it show, etc.how reliable it is, what does it show, etc.

Topics ContinuedTopics Continued• How is Polymerase Chain Reaction How is Polymerase Chain Reaction

important, how is it done and why is it important, how is it done and why is it done?done?

• Summary of who Gregor Mendel is, why Summary of who Gregor Mendel is, why he is important and his historyhe is important and his history

• How genetic engineering has affected …How genetic engineering has affected …• Explore any career in the fields of DNA, Explore any career in the fields of DNA,

Genetics, Microbiology, Cellular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Cellular Biology, Biotechnology, Bacteria, VirusesBiotechnology, Bacteria, Viruses

• Summary of who Charles Darwin, Alfred Summary of who Charles Darwin, Alfred Wallace, Thomas Malthus, James Wallace, Thomas Malthus, James Hutton, Charles Lyell or Jean-Baptiste Hutton, Charles Lyell or Jean-Baptiste Lamarck are, why they are important Lamarck are, why they are important and their history.and their history.

• What is carbon dating and why is it What is carbon dating and why is it important to science.important to science.

• Describe the speciation of the tortoises Describe the speciation of the tortoises or finches of the Galapagos Islandsor finches of the Galapagos Islands

Topics ContinuedTopics Continued

• How Reverse Transcribing Viruses How Reverse Transcribing Viruses work, how are they a problem for work, how are they a problem for humans, how are they related to DNA, humans, how are they related to DNA, mRNA, tRNA etc.mRNA, tRNA etc.

• Why do body builders eat so much Why do body builders eat so much protein, why do they need so much protein, why do they need so much (technical explanation), what protein is (technical explanation), what protein is the best, etc.the best, etc.

• Describe the differences between a Describe the differences between a runners and a non-athlete in terms of runners and a non-athlete in terms of mitochondria.mitochondria.

Topics ContinuedTopics Continued

• History of The Genographic ProjectHistory of The Genographic Project• Genetic differences between Genetic differences between

races/cultures within the human raceraces/cultures within the human race• The history of human migration and The history of human migration and

diversitydiversity• How are indigenous people important to How are indigenous people important to

the understanding of the history of the the understanding of the history of the human race?human race?

• Explain the research behind and the Explain the research behind and the history of human evolution.history of human evolution.

Topics ContinuedTopics Continued