My spring break was absolutely amazing. I went to Key Largo, Florida with a bunch of different Sparta families. I went with the Trimbles, Kleins, Willets, Stovers,  Stamanns, Sulisburrys, Schnotalas, McMurphys, and a few individuals (Alicia and her mom, Danica, Crystal, etc.) My favorite day was when we went to Miami and South Beach. I also went to Key West, snorkeled, para sailed, swam, shopped, and sunbathed.

I just researched "new science news" and came upon the article "Leatherback Turtles". These animals are considered to be the largest turtles--growing up to an astonishing 6 feet tall. They are also known for being one of the most critically endangered species.  Just recently, there has been a study of the migration patterns of these turtles in order to track their "danger zones" in the Pacific Ocean.

The study focused on the adult leatherbacks and the increasing risk they bear as they travel and migrate far distances. The turtles often die due to fishing nets or a lack of food on their route. The turtle's main source of food is jellyfish, which can be quite scarce along the migration route that the turtles follow. They study helped the scientists identify the places the turtles travel to and nest, so that in the end, we may be able to help them survive.

LOOK!

Okay Okay Okay.. Topic: DIFFUSION! Mission: TEACH SOPHMORES. Bonus: IF IT IS EXCITING. (Probably not)


Let me draw you a little visual here:


Imagine you are in a tight compacted area.. with smelly people... people you want to get away from.. so you move to a less compacted area (as do others) until there is an equal amount of people in both areas.. This my fair children is diffusion.

Diffusion is defined as the movement of a particle across a memebrane from high concentration to low concentration. Simple diffusion in this way ... well it is simple.. the molecules just move across the membrane without any help. So the people moving in my above example.. just walk to the other room.  Facilitated diffusion though uses proteins to help the molecules move across. For example, the people would need to lets say.. ride an elevator to get to the other room. They are assited to the other side. Active transport is in the need of energy to diffuse to the other side. The energy is needed because the molecules are moving agains the initial rule of high to low concentration. Instead, the molecules move from a low concentration to a high concentration.. In my example, this means people from the second room would want to move into the more compacted room.. (idk why in the world they would want to do that), but they need energy in order to do this. So those people would let say.. drink a Red Bull (energy) before they go back into the compacted room. wooo hoo for Red Bull.

Osmosis is a specific example of diffusion- it is the diffusion of water across a membrane. (Water is so special). So in my example.. this would be the diffusion of only the people in blue shirts. (water).

Hints:

Simple diffusion= simple

Facilitated diffusion= facilitate means assist.. proteins assist the molecules that diffuse
Active transport= in order to be active, energy is needed.
Osmosis= OSMOSIS JONES!

You know what? I would like to believe I am an energetic person.. most of the time. So what better organelle is there than the MITOCHONDRIA?!. The mitochondria IS the energy organelle. woot woot. This mighty little organelle can be found in all cells except the prokaryotic cells. It's main function is to take sugar molecules and break it down and release that energy. That is me! Plus, just like the mitochondria, I am peanut shaped. :) Finally, the mitochondria is the site in which aerobic cell respiration happens. No big deal or anything.

Give me a M-I-T-O-C-H-O-N-D-R-I-A! Mitochondria!

I thought that our lab went pretty good. In my opinion, these labs are more easy going than the ones in chemistry, which is nice. For example, we can sit in the lab! No more tired legs! wooo hooo Also, we don't have to dry the beakers and such!   The first part my group completed did not go as well as planned. We were supposed to have about 5 ml of KMNO4 and we ended up with like 12 mL. It turns out there was a problem with the concentration. The only part of the lab that I am worried about is the formal report of it, just because it has been a long time since I have written one.

• What topic are you most looking forward to in this class? Why?

I basically am looking forward to anything having to do with the human body. I've always been interested in how the body works and how it functions.

• What topic are you least looking forward to in this class? Why?

I am not looking forward to the chemistry stuff because I forgot everything... which makes me feel like an idiot. wooo hoo for chemistry!

• Anything else you wish

Shout-out to Alicia... I am sooo proud of you for getting to school early! :) we can no longer bet on you.

Introduction

                                                         Hi everyone,

This is what I look like 7 days a week

My name is Marri May and I am currently in an AP Biology class at Sparta High School. I am taking this class in order to help further my education for college and to hopefully opt out of an intro Biology class in my first year of college. This class will also hopefully give me the materials that I need to pass the AP exam.

Some things about me.. I love long walks on the beach and a candle lit dinner while watching the Veggie Tails.

Kidding.. I actually like to hunt, fish, play sports, ski, camp, hangout with friends, go to Church, watch some television, run, and about everything else in this world you can think of.