Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Friday, March 16, 2018
Monday, March 12, 2018
DNA
- A library of info telling your body’s cells how to build you.
- Shaped as a double helix, this chemical spiral codes for life.
- Full name is deoxyribonucleic acid.
Some people think that I’m a totally twisted individual, but while my slinky curves turn heads,
I'm actually quite a bookish character. I'm so astounding that within my graceful folds and
sinuous switchbacks lies the secret of life itself.
Cell has a library of me, called the genome, stored for safekeeping in the nucleus.
The library has 46 “books” in it called chromosomes.
Each page of each book is a gene that holds the code for one attribute - your hair color or
weakness to certain diseases, for example. The words in these books of life are molecules
that link together to make a corkscrew chain. Strangely, most of your DNA is junk - it has no meaning.
Although each person's DNA is unique, 99 percent of it is identical to that of everyone else.
- Discoverer: Friedrich Miescher (1869)
- Number of human genes: 20,000 to 25,000
- Number of times the body’s DNA is damaged per day: 10,000
adapted from Basher Biology 2008
Watch: 
RNA
- A shadowy figure who pulls the strings behind the scenes.
- Built like DNA but without the double twist.
- Three letter name means ribonucleic acid.
I will always live in the shadow of my dazzling cousin, DNA. It’s unfair - DNA gets all the
attention for just holding the secrets of life. I’m the one who does all the work!
attention for just holding the secrets of life. I’m the one who does all the work!
I’m much too busy to sit around doing nothing all day like DNA. As one of the few molecules
allowed to slip in and out of the nucleus, I can get everywhere. Like a spy selling secrets,
I make a copy of DNA’s genetic manual and spread it through the cell.
allowed to slip in and out of the nucleus, I can get everywhere. Like a spy selling secrets,
I make a copy of DNA’s genetic manual and spread it through the cell.
I unravel DNA’s double helix into two strands and then mold my body to fit with one of them.
Then, with the help Ribosomes, the master code breakers in Cell, I follow the instructions in
the manual and make the molecules that the body’s workers need.
Then, with the help Ribosomes, the master code breakers in Cell, I follow the instructions in
the manual and make the molecules that the body’s workers need.
- Date of discovery: 1939
- Average size: 0.35 μm
- Viruses that use RNA: retroviruses such as HIV
adapted from Basher Biology 2008
Watch: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Monday, January 8, 2018
Friday, December 15, 2017
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Friday, November 17, 2017
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Monday, August 28, 2017
Welcome to 8th Grade Science with Ms. Paleologo!
Follow me on Instagram @mspaleologoscience
and on Twitter @PaleologoSci
My email address is karenapaleologo@abingtonps.org, and you can also contact me via the "contact me" form on this page!
All notes, study materials, and warm-ups will be listed on this website, and any print-outs will be available in the Class Notebook (which you can access through your school email address!)
Follow me on Instagram @mspaleologoscience
and on Twitter @PaleologoSci
My email address is karenapaleologo@abingtonps.org, and you can also contact me via the "contact me" form on this page!
All notes, study materials, and warm-ups will be listed on this website, and any print-outs will be available in the Class Notebook (which you can access through your school email address!)
Monday, April 24, 2017
Science Fair Resources
Science Fair Project Resources
Validate Topic
As students select their topic and form their questions,
they will need further guidance.
Have them think about their project in terms of:
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Time:
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will the investigation or building the design take more
than the time allotted between now and the science fair?
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Materials:
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can you obtain the materials that will be required? Will
the cost be too much?
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Safety:
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are the tools and other materials safe for you to use?
Will an adult be available to help with anything that might not be safe for
you to do alone? Are any of the materials ones that someone could be allergic
to?
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Appropriateness:
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is the topic something that you can understand? Will the
research require you to read things that are too hard?
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Animal care:
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if you are going to do anything with animals, will they be
kept safe? Will you be putting anyone in danger who is allergic to the
animals?
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Investigation
Students who want to find out things as a scientist, will
want to conduct a hands-on investigative experiment. While scientists study a
whole area of science, each experiment is focused on learning just one thing at
a time. This is essential if the results are to be trusted by the entire
science community.
In an investigation, students:
- Ask a
testable question
- Research
the topic
- Make a
hypothesis about the outcome based on the research or their own knowledge
- Design
the investigation
- Conduct
the investigation
- Collect
Data
- Make
sense of the data and draw a conclusion
- Present
their findings for peer review
What is a Testable Question?
The key to a good and manageable investigation is to choose
a topic of interest, then ask what is called a “testable question.” Testable
questions are those that can be answered through hands-on investigation by the
student. The key difference between a general interest science question and a
testable question is that testable questions are always about changing one
thing to see what the effect is on another thing.
Here are some examples of broader science questions and
testable questions:
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More Complex Testable Questions
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Broad Questions (lead to reports)
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Testable questions (lead to investigations)
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What can affect animal behaviors?
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What is the effect of a low-level electrical field on the
movement of fruit flies?
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What happens when water expands as it freezes?
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How much force is needed to keep water from expanding as
it freezes?
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What is soap?
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Which detergent removes stains the best?
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What do birds eat?
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What type of food and feeder will attract the most
cardinals?
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How do rockets work?
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How does changing the shape of a rocket’s fins change its
flight?
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How do lubricants work?
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Which combination of lubricants will work best on a
bicycle wheel?
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How do plants grow?
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What amount of water is best to grow tomatoes? or What
type of soil is best to grow petunias? or What amount of sunlight is best to
grow daffodils?
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Monday, March 27, 2017
Evolution Dating Game Resources
Bower Bird Resources
Iguana Resources
Peacock Spider Resources
Grebe Resources
Diamond Back Rattlesnake Resources
Brown Hare Resources
Monday, March 20, 2017
Thursday, March 9, 2017
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