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1. The seeds were soaked overnight because they would have been too hard to open otherwise.  Soaking the seeds overnight softens them for easier access.
2. The cotyledon in a plant is part of the embryo.  Cotyledons are often the first sprouting leaves in a seed and can be used to determine whether a plant is a monocot or a dicot; a sprout with one leaf is a monocot and a sprout with two leaves is a dicot.  Cotyledons contain proteins such as legumins and vicelins.
3. Once a seed has germinated, it begins to grow a small plant called a seedling.  The seedling uses the soft insides of the seed as food until it is able to perform photosynthesis on its own.
4. The hypocotyl of the seedling becomes the stem of the adult plant, but in some plants, it develops into a tuber. The radicle forms into the roots of the plant. If the plant is an angiosperm, it will grow buds that will eventually flower. The cotyledons may grow into leaves or sepals, some of which are small and green and others are large and colourful.

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Plants: Anatomy, Growth, and Function Unit

Video 1: a)
Video 2: a)

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Evolution Unit

Video 1: a) Interest: 7 Information: 8.5
Video 2: a)  Interest: 7.5 Information: 8.5

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Genetic Processes Unit

Video 1: a)
Video 2: a)
Video 3: a)

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Diversity of Life Unit

Video 1: a) Interest: 4 Information: 6.5 b)
Video 2: a) Interest: 5 Information: 7

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Animals: Structure and Function Unit

Video 1: a) Interest: 5.5 Information: 7 b) I learned how gills work and how countercurrent exchange works.  I learned how lungs are essentially folded in to keep themselves moist during respiration, the alveoli contain natural lubricant to keep themselves from folding in.  I also learned that most carbon dioxide in our bodies is not in the blood cells, but in the plasma.  c) I would like to investigate further on how countercurrent exchange works because I'm still a bit confused about it.

Video 2: a)  Interest: 6.5 Information: 7.5 b) I learned that interstitial fluid is a part of the circulatory system.  I learned how blood flows through the bodies of different animals, such as how bearded dragons have three chambers in their heart and two separate blood streams; one for the lungs and the other for the rest of the body.  I also learned that there are valves in the veins that close once the blood passes through them on its way towards the heart in order to prevent blood from flowing the wrong way. c) How do platelets form blood clotting? Do they help prevent infection at all?

Video 3: a)  Interest: 6 Information: 8 b) I learned that saliva conatins a liquid called amylase that breaks down starch. I learned that in the stomach, parietal cells and chief cells expel hydrochloric acid and pepsin that work together to break down food. I also learned that the large intestine is primarily for reclaiming water and absorbing vitamins. c)

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WE LEAVE FOR FIJI TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!

Today I learned how to maximize packing space.

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Today I learned that sponges are part of the animal kingdom and that Fijian plants and animals are a lot more colourful and interesting than Canadian ones.  I also learned that I love biology 😋😃🤗!!!

I am wondering what Fiji is really going to be like, as well as if I'm using the correct form of a/effect in my next paragraph.

One thing I would like to change is the global climate crisis :( but I know that I barely have any effect on it.

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Today I learned how to find someone's blood type which I thought was very interesting.  I also learned how to karyotype after a few unsuccessful attempts on gizmo, and I learned that protists are a lot more interesting than I thought.

After the blood typing activity, I was wondering what they put in the test tubes that bind onto the blood cells.  I was also wondering what blood type I am.

If I could change anything, I would make the assignment due dates more spread out.

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Diversity of Life- Animalia by Claire Heisz

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Diversity of Life- Animalia by Claire Heisz

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Characteristics:
Eukaryotic
No cell walls
Multicellular
Heterotrophic
Motile at some point in their lives
Reproduce sexually

An animal cell (https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=670x10000:format=jpg/path/s79e2f60bf980ec19/image/iba744aa96c939c2c/version/1417044791/diagram-of-an-animal-cell.jpg)

Animalia are often classifies into 9 phylums:
1. Porifera: Living sponges.
2. Coelenterate: Jellyfish, hydras and anemones.
3. Platyhelminthes: Flatworms.
4. Nematode: Roundworms.
5. Annelida: Segmented worms.
6. Mollusca: Snails, clams, squids.
7. Echinodermata: Sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers.
8. Arthropoda: Spiders, insects, crustaceans.
9. Chordate: Jawless fishes, cartilaginous fish,
bony fish, amphibians, reptiles,
birds and mammals.

Maroon shining parrot
Scientific name: Prosopeia tabuensis

The maroon shining parrot (https://download.ams.birds.cornell.edu/api/v1/asset/47201931/900)

Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordate
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittaculidae
Genus: Prosopeia
Species: Prosopeia tabuensis

Characteristics:
Eukaryotic
Multicellular
Reproduce sexually
Heterotrophic
No cell walls
Volant
Feathered
Motile

This colourful bird is native to Fiji and Tonga.  It is closely related to the masked shining parrot and the crimson shining parrot.  They eat seeds, fruits, and larvae.  The crimson shining parrot is also on the red list of endangered species, however it is not as much of a concern as the balaka macrocarpa.

“The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.” IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, www.iucnredlist.org/species/22685041/132056747.

“Maroon Shining-Parrot (Prosopeia Tabuensis).” HBW Alive, www.hbw.com/species/maroon-shining-parrot-prosopeia-tabuensis.

Trust, World Parrot. “Red Shining Parrot.” Red Shining Parrot (Prosopeia Tabuensis) | Parrot Encyclopedia, www.parrots.org/encyclopedia/red-shining-parrot.

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Diversity of Life- Plantae by Claire Heisz

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Diversity of Life- Plantae by Claire Heisz

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Characteristics:
Land-dwelling
Multicellular
Usually autotrophic
Cell wall is made of cellulose

Diagram of most plant cells (https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/plants/images/plantcell.jpg)

Plantae are often classified into 5 groups:
1. Green algae: The modern relatives of plant ancestors.  Have cell walls and photosyntheyic pigments identical to plants.  2. Bryophytes: Grow close to the ground in damp locations.  Includes mosses, liverworts and hornworts.  No seeds, stems, or rigid support structures.
3. Seedless vascular plants: Contains three phyla; ferns, club mosses, and horsetails.
4. Gymnosperms: Seed plants.  Plants with "naked" seeds, seeds that are not protected and enclosed in a ovary. Mostly conifers.
5. Angiosperms: Flowering plants, with an "enclosed" seed.  Contain structures that prevent water loss and improve reproductive abilities.

Balaka macrocarpa
Scientific name: Balaka macrocarpa

The balaka macrocarpa plant (https://vacationinthetropicalrainforest.weebly.com/uploads/2/6/8/6/26867603/6619017.jpg)

Domain: Eykaryota
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Balaka
Species: Balaka macrocarpa

Characteristics:
Multicellular
Autotrophic
Only found in Fiji
Land-dwelling
Cell wall made of cellulose
Small palm

Balaka macrocarpa is a Fijian native palm that can only grow up to 8 meters.  Balaka macrocarpa is critically endangered and was placed on the red list in 2017.  Balaka macrocarpa is mostly threatened by deforestation.

“The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.” IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, www.iucnredlist.org/species/38434/2868990.

“Plant Life.” Fiji Rainforest, www.vacationinthetropicalrainforest.weebly.com/plant-life.html.

“Balaka (Balaka Macrocarpa) - NatureFiji - MareqetiViti.” NatureFiji, 3 Aug. 2015, www.naturefiji.org/balaka-balaka-macrocarpa/.

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Diversity of Life- Fungi by Claire Heisz

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Diversity of Life- Fungi by Claire Heisz

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Characteristics:
Eukaryotic
Unicellular or multicellular
Heterotrophic
Cell wall is made of chitin
Contain hyphae, mycelia, and a fruiting body
Can be parasitic, mutualistic or predatory

Diagram of most fungi cells (http://cdn.biologydiscussion.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/clip_image002-81.jpg)

Fungi are often classified into 4 phylems:
1. Zygomycota: Reproduce using zygospores.  Zygospores are sexual spores that are able to withstand long periods of extreme weather.
2. Basidiomycota: Contain basidiums, club shaped sexual spores.
3. Ascomycota: Sexual spores are contained in sacs calles asci.
4.  Chytridomycota: Contain flagellated spores.

Scarlet cup
Scientific name: Sarcoscypha cocciena

A group of Scarlet cup fungi (https://calphotos.berkeley.edu/imgs/512x768/0000_0000/0208/1804.jpeg)

Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycota
Class: Pezizomycetes
Order: Pezizales
Family: Sarcoscyphaceae
Genus: Sarcoscypha
Species: Sarcoscypha cocciena

Characteristics:
Heterotrophic
Multicellular
Ascomycotic
Predatory

Scarlet cup fungi is found all around the globe, in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America.  scarlet cup fungi is edible when cooked and it was used for medicinal purposes by Indigenous peoples.  Scarlet cup fungus grows on decaying trees and absorbs nutrients through its hyphae.  Scarlet cup fungi belongs to the ascomycota phylum and reproduces through its asci. It is well known for its beautiful colour and interesting shape.

“Scarlet CupSarcoscypha Austriaca.” EdibleWildFood, www.ediblewildfood.com/scarlet-cup.aspx.

“Scarlet Elf Cup (Sarcoscypha Cocinea).” Woodland Trust, www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants-and-fungi/fungi/scarlet-elf-cup/.

MushroomExpert.Com. Sarcoscypha Coccinea (MushroomExpert.Com), www.mushroomexpert.com/sarcoscypha_coccinea.html.

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Diversity of Life- Protists by Claire Heisz

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Diversity of Life- Protists by Claire Heisz

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Characteristics:
Eukaryotic
Unicellular or multicellular
Free living or colonial
Live in a diverse range of habitats

Diagram of most protist cells (https://www.microscopemaster.com/images/parameciumprotistimage.jpg)

Protists are often classified into 3 phylums:
1. Protozoa: Protists that behave most like animals.  Protozoa are hetorotrophic and capture their own food.
2. Algae: Behave most like plants.  Algae are autotrophs that create their own food using photosynthesis.
3. Slime moulds: Behave most like fungi.  Slime moulds are heterotrophs that typically consume decaying matter.

Dog Vomit Slime Mould/ Scrambled Egg Slime
Scientific name: Fuligo septica

Dog vomit slime mould consuming a decomposing log (https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQlIGtv4Ko39ppDDDZAeKzU37alYcCubYdheNW0lkEPQqrcbb4i)

Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Protista
Phylum: Myxomycota
Class: Myxogastria
Order: Physarales
Family: Physaraceae
Genus: Fuligo
Species: Fuligo Septica

Characteristics:
Heterotrophic
Plasmodial
Contain no cell wall
Multicellular
Spore-bearing

Dog vomit slime is typically found on mark mulch in moist environments.  It obtains nutrients from microbes in the mulch.  It can also live on plants, however it does not harm the living organisms.
Dog vomit slime reproduces by releasing spores that travel through wind or catch a ride on an animal.

Fuligo Septica, www.messiah.edu/Oakes/fungi_on_wood/crust%20and%20parchment/species%20pages/Fuligo%20septica.htm.

Thurmon, Payten. “Fuligo Septica.” Prezi.com, 12 Feb. 2016, www.prezi.com/uo1yt1dkl6vu/fuligo-septica/.

“Some Flagellates (Protista) from Tropical Marine Sediments.” Taylor & Francis, www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00222939000770571?journalCode=tnah20.

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Diversity of Life- Archaebacteria by Claire Heisz

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Diversity of Life- Archaebacteria by Claire Heisz

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Characteristics:
Unicellular
Prokaryotes
Contain no membrane-bound organelles
Reproduce by binary fission
DNA is a single chromosome
Can survive inhospitable conditions
Oldest group of organisms on Earth
Divided into phyla based on habitat

Diagram of an archaebacteria organism (https://sites.google.com/a/st.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/totally-crazy-science-project-dharma-p/_/rsrc/1468756753458/archaebacteria-and-eubacteria/bacteria.jpg?height=222&width=320)

Archaebacteria are often classified into 5 phylums:
1. Euryarchaeota: Mostly includes methanogens and halophiles.
2. Crenarchaeota: Includes archaebacteria mostly found in marine habitats.
3. Korarchaeota: Hyperthermophiles, can withstand high temperatures and hydrothermal environments.
4. Thaumarchaeota: Includes ammonia-oxidizing archaebacteria and those with an unknown energy metabolism.
5. Nanoarchaeota: there is only one representative member of this phylum, Nanoarchaeum equitans.

Pyrococcus Abyssi
Scientific name: Pyrococcus abyssi

Pyrococcus abyssi cells (http://media.novinky.cz/593/365936-top_foto1-2oy8i.jpg?1364502605)

Domain: Archaeans
Kingdom:Archaebacteria
Phylum: Euryarchaeota
Class: Thermococci
Order: Thermococcales
Family: Thermococcaceae
Genus: Pyrococcus
Species: Pyrococcus Abyssi

Characteristics:
Hypothermophile
Single-celled
Prokaryotic
Aquatic
Anaerobic
Slightly irregular coccus shaped
Move using flagella
Heterotrophic
Contain no memory-bound organelles
Covered by a cell wall
Reproduce by binary fission
DNA is a single organism
Gram-negative

Pyrococcus abyssi is a type of bacteria found isolated to a deep-sea hydrothermal vent in the North Fiji Basin.  Pyrococcus abyssi grows best in temperatures around 96°C, making it extremely hyperthermophilic.

The North Fiji basin, the only habitat of Pyrococcus abyssi (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/North_Fiji_Basin_NOAA.png/1200px-North_Fiji_Basin_NOAA.png)

IellaMayella Follow. “Kingdom Archaebacteria.” LinkedIn SlideShare, 11 Apr. 2014, www.slideshare.net/IellaMayella/kingdom-archaebacteria.

“Pyrococcus.” Microbewiki, www.microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Pyrococcus.

“Pyrococcus Abyssi.” Pyrococcus Abyssi - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/pyrococcus-abyssi.

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Diversity of Life- Eubacteria by Claire Heisz

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Diversity of Life- Eubacteria by Claire Heisz

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Characteristics:
Unicellular
Prokaryotes
Contain no membrane-bound organelles
Covered by a cell wall
More successfully evolved than Archaebacteria
DNA is a single chromosome
Reproduce by binary fission (asexually)
Very simple

Diagram of a eubacteria organism
(http://biosmansametro.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/picture-043.jpg)

Eubacteria are often classified into 5 phylums:
1. Chlamydias: Often parasitic (can only multiply within a host.)
2. Cyanobacteria: Aquatic, blue-green bacteria that creates energy using photosynthesis.
3. Gram-positive bacteria: Retains stain and can be dyed.
4. Proteobacteria: Gram-negative and does not retain stain.
5. Spirochetes: Spiral-shaped and usually found in water and moist environments.

Syphilis

Scientific name: Treponema pallidum

Syphilis bacteria
(https://abm-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/laboratoryequipment.com/s3fs-public/embedded_image/2018/07/shutterstock_464773319.jpg)

Domain: Bacteria
Kingdom: Eubacteria
Phylum: Spirochaetes
Class: Spirochaetes
Order: Spirochaetales
Family: Spirochaetaceaes
Genus: Treponema
Species: Treponema Pallidum

Characteristics:
Spirochete
Single-celled
Prokaryotic
Spirillium shaped
Heterotrophic
Contain no memory-bound organelles
Covered by a cell wall
Reproduce by binary fission
DNA is a single chromosome
Can negatively affect organs
Easily curable
Aerobic

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that causes sores to form on the pubic region, in the mouth or on the lips. Syphilis harms the body by entering the blood stream through abrasions in the skin and attaching itself to cells, causing damage to organs such as the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints.  Symptoms may include fever, patchy hair loss, sore throat, headaches, weight loss, swollen lymph glands and many others. Syphilis is gram-negative and can be diagnosed by testing blood samples. Syphilis can be cured in its early stages using penicillin.

One of the symptoms of syphilis, sores in the mouth (https://cdn.std.uw.edu/doc/414-3/secondary-syphilisoral-lesions.jpg)

“Eubacteria - Definition, Types and Examples.” Biology Dictionary, 28 Apr. 2017, www.biologydictionary.net/eubacteria/.

Carr, Kevin. “What Types of Bacteria Are Parasites?” Sciencing, 2 Mar. 2019, www.sciencing.com/types-bacteria-parasites-8470244.html.

“Syphilis - Infectious Diseases.” Merck Manuals Professional Edition, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/professional/infectious-diseases/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/syphilis.

“STD Facts - Syphilis (Detailed).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis-detailed.htm.

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My SMART Goals

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The strands were a lot more clumped in another group's test because they had more bubbles.

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Once following the complete procedure of the lab, the effects of the rubbing alcohol on the strawberry mixture started to form. After around 20 seconds, bubbly white strands of DNA started to appear in the mixture, in between the exposed surface of the rubbing alcohol and the layer where the strawberry mixture and the rubbing alcohol touched.  The number and size of DNA strands that appeared seemed to depend on how bubbly the strawberry mixture was.  The more bubbles there are the more DNA strands and clumps there are.

My observations of the DNA strands:
- bubbly
- stringy
- white/ almost transparent
- squishy

Here is a picture I took.