Mrs. Savage's Classroom

Meiosis Review!

2010-02-25T10:37:00.000-08:00

Mitosis

2010-02-18T13:32:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow in Biology we will cover Translation and Transcription

2010-02-17T10:43:00.000-08:00

Astronomy Tomorrow..................

2010-02-10T19:42:00.000-08:00

We begin our study of Mars. The 4th planet from the Sun!

http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/

Biology

DNA Extraction Lab and Mitosis Intro! Check out this Interactive Animation!

http://www.cellsalive.com/mitosis.htm

Next week we will cover Meiosis

http://www.cellsalive.com/meiosis.htm

2010-01-26T03:50:00.000-08:00

Today we are going to talk about Mechanics. Mechanics is the branch of Physics that deals with Motion, Force and Momentum. Today we will cover point of reference, speed and velocity. Check out the difference between speed and velocity on the below video!

Biology

2009-12-10T09:17:00.000-08:00

Today in Biology we discussed the importance of enzymes and how lactose intolerance is specific to a lack of an important enzyme. Check out these videos.

Amazing Water and it's wonderful characteristics! Check it out!

2009-12-09T19:47:00.000-08:00

Plastic Rock

2009-12-08T10:14:00.000-08:00

Today in Physical Science we discussed the physical nature of the Athenosphere. The Athenosphere is a portion of Earth's mantle that exists as a liquid unless met with an abrupt force. Here is a video of "oobleck" a water and cornstarch mixture that is liquid in nature unless met with an abrupt force much like the athenosphere.

Asthenosphere

The asthenosphere is the layer of Earth that lies at a depth 60–150 mi (100–250 km) beneath Earth's surface. It was first named in 1914 by the British geologist J. Barrell, who divided Earth's overall structure into three major sections: the lithosphere , or outer layer of rock-like material; the asthenosphere; and the centrosphere, or central part of the planet. The asthenosphere gets its name from the Greek word for weak, asthenis, because of the relatively fragile nature of the materials of which it is made. It lies in the upper portion of Earth's structure traditionally known as the mantle.

Geologists are somewhat limited as to the methods by which they can collect information about Earth's interior. For example, they may be able to study rocky material ejected from volcanoes and lava flows for hints about properties of the interior regions. But generally speaking, the single most dependable source of such information is the way in which seismic waves are transmitted through Earth's interior. These waves can be produced naturally as the result of earth movements, or they can be generated synthetically by means of explosions, air guns, or other techniques.

Seismic studies have shown that a type of wave known as S-waves slow down significantly as they reach a depth of about 62 mi (100 km) beneath Earth's surface. Then, at a depth of about 155 mi (250 km), their velocity increases once more. Geologists have taken these changes in wave velocity as indications of the boundaries for the region now known as the asthenosphere.

The material of which the asthenosphere is composed can be described as plastic-like, with much less rigidity than the lithosphere above it. This property is caused by the interaction of temperature and pressure on asthenospheric materials. Any rock will melt if its temperature is raised to a high enough temperature. However, the melting point of any rock is also a function of the pressure exerted on the rock. In general, as the pressure is increased on a material, its melting point increases.

The temperature of the materials that make up the asthenosphere tend to be just below their melting point. This gives them a plastic-like quality that can be compared to glass . As the temperature of the material increases or as the pressure exerted on the material increases, the material tends to deform and flow. If the pressure on the material is sharply reduced, so will be its melting point, and the material may begin to melt quickly. The fragile melting point pressure balance in the asthenosphere is reflected in the estimate made by some geologists that up to 10% of the asthenospheric material may actually be molten. The rest is so close to being molten that relatively modest changes in pressure or temperature may cause further melting.

In addition to loss of pressure on the asthenosphere, another factor that can bring about melting is an increase in temperature. The asthenosphere is heated by contact with hot materials that make up the mesosphere beneath it. Obviously, the temperature of the mesosphere is not constant. It is hotter in some places than in others. In those regions where the mesosphere is warmer than average, the extra heat may actually increase the extent to which asthenospheric materials are heated and a more extensive melting may occur.

The asthenosphere is now thought to play a critical role in the movement of plates across the face of Earth's surface. According to plate tectonic theory, the lithosphere consists of a relatively small number of very large slabs of rocky material. These plates tend to be about 60 mi (100 km) thick and many thousands of miles wide. They are thought to be very rigid themselves but capable of flowing back and forth on top of the asthenosphere. The collision of plates with each other, their lateral sliding past each other, and their separation from each other are thought to be responsible for major geologic features and events such as volcanoes, lava flows, mountain building, and deep-sea rifts.

In order for plate tectonic theory to seem sensible, some mechanism must be available for permitting the flow of plates. That mechanism is the semi-fluid character of the asthenosphere itself. Some observers have described the asthenosphere as the lubricating oil that permits the movement of plates in the lithosphere.

Geologists have now developed sophisticated theories to explain the changes that take place in the asthenosphere when plates begin to thin or to diverge from or converge toward each other. For example, suppose that a region of weakness has developed in the lithosphere. In that case, the pressure exerted on the asthenosphere beneath it is reduced, melting begins to occur, and asthenospheric materials begin to flow upward. If the lithosphere has not actually broken, those asthenospheric materials cool as they approach Earth's surface and eventually become part of the lithosphere itself.

On the other hand, suppose that a break in the lithosphere has actually occurred. In that case, the asthenospheric materials may escape through that break and flow outward before they have cooled. Depending on the temperature and pressure in the region, that outflow of material (magma ) may occur rather violently, as in a volcano , or more moderately, as in a lava flow.

Pressure on the asthenosphere may also be reduced in zones of divergence, where two plates are separating from each other. Again, this reduction in pressure may allow asthenospheric materials in the asthenosphere to begin melting and to flow upward. If the two overlying plates have actually separated, asthenospheric material may flow through the separation and form a new section of lithosphere.

In zones of convergence, where two plates are flowing toward each other, asthenospheric materials may also be exposed to reduced pressure and begin to flow upward. In this case, the lighter of the colliding plates slides upward and over the heavier of the plates, which dives down into the asthenosphere. This process is called subduction. Since the lithospheric material is more rigid than the material in the asthenosphere, the latter is pushed outward and upward. During this movement of plates, pressure on the asthenosphere is reduced, melting occurs, and molten materials flow upward to Earth's surface. In any one of the examples cited here, the asthenosphere supplies new material to replace lithospheric materials that have been displaced by some other tectonic or geologic mechanism.

"Asthenosphere." World of Earth Science. The Gale Group, Inc. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 8 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

Cool Video!

2009-12-07T06:21:00.001-08:00

We were discussing diamonds today and my friend showed me this video...... Will it Blend! Hilarious!

2009-12-03T17:52:00.000-08:00

Check out everything you would want to know about Cubic Zirconia

2009-12-03T09:51:00.000-08:00

Biology Students! Check out this video that will compliment our discussion and hopefully answer many of your questions about diamonds! *Disregard the mention of Earth's age in this video as their world view is from an evolutionist perspective.*

PV= nRT

2009-11-30T07:25:00.000-08:00

Adiabatic Heating and Cooling

Thursday's Classes!

2009-11-19T15:21:00.000-08:00

Today in Astronomy we were brainstorming to create an advertisement for Our Wonderful Planet Earth! God has amazingly designed every aspect of Earth to reflect His love and consideration for mankind.

In Biology we learned about Kingdom Fungi. Here is an example of a parasitic fungi Cordyceps

Physical Science Tuesday!

2009-11-17T14:04:00.000-08:00

Today in Physical Science we reviewed the Hydrologic Cycle. Please disregard the "old earth" statement and know that overtime the oceans salinity has continually increased and if the earth was millions or billions of years old then the oceans would not be able to sustain any life!

Extra Credit for Physical Science!!!!

2009-11-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

Extra Credit Question for Physical Science Students on Test #4

Is Rain-X a polar or non-polar liquid? Explain your answer and give examples and details to support your reasoning.

Weekend Fun!

2009-11-01T14:14:00.000-08:00

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn ' t it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321

Mind Boggling...

Now, take a look at this...

101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they
are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to

GIVE OVER 100%...

How about ACHIEVING 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here ' s a little mathematical formula that might help
answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:

H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E

1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F- G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will
get you there, It ' s the Love of God that will put you over the top!

If you find this interesting share it with your friends & loved ones.

Thurday's Classes

2009-10-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

Astronomy:

Today we learned about Venus.

Venus is about the same size as Earth.
Venus has a very thick atmosphere that exerts a large amount of pressure on the planet.

Venus maintains an incredibly hot surface temperature due to it's dense atmosphere trapping in the sun's heat.

Venus rotates in the opposite direction that the other planets rotate. This opposite rotation is evidence against the 'Big Bang Theory'. For example, if every planet was formed as a result of the 'Big Bang' then all the particles that formed the planets would have to inevitably be converging in the same direction in order for the particles to compress and form a planet. Venus's opposing rotational direction is evidence that God designed it with it's very own unique characteristics.

Here is an interesting video that I found on Venus, however please disregard the assumption that the earth is millions of years old as God's word is truth and we are living on a young planet in a young solar system.

Biology:

Today in Biology we talked about Kingdom Protista and how it is divided into 2 Subkingdoms, Protozoa and Algae.

Protozoa are individua single celled organisms
Most Protozoans are heterotrophic
Most Protozoans have a means of locomotion.

We concentrated on the 4 major Phyla of Protozoa which are designated by how the move in their environment.

Sarcodina~ Amoeboid Protozoans

Ciliophora~Ciliates like Paramecia

Mastigophora~ Flagellates like Euglena

Sporozoa~ Parasitic Protozoans like Plasmodium which causes Malaria

Today in Physical Science we discussed the Polarity of Water

2009-10-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

The Chapman Cycle

2009-10-25T18:42:00.000-07:00

Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide

2009-10-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

This part of the experiment enables the student to obtain a sufficient amount of Oxygen to use in the latter portion of the experiment. This experiment helps students understand that a slight increase in Oxygen concentration in our atmosphere can have drastic effects.