| Biology 102 Portfolio #1 REQUIREMENTS - WINTER 2015 | ||||
| Printable Portfolio #1 Cover Sheet | ||||
| Portfolio Sections | Week Introduced | Skill(s) | Assignment | Assessment |
| Nature of Science Survey And Reflection | Week 1 Recitation | Reflect on personal understandings of science. | 1) Complete the nature of science survey in the activity individually. Fill in the entire “Your Answer” column, even if you have to guess. Once you have completed the survey, the correct answers and an explanation of each answer will be available on-line at the BI 102 website. 2) Write a paragraph reflection on what you have learned about the nature of science. Include what you have learned about the nature of science and what you may still find confusing about the nature of science. If you have not learned anything about the nature of science, or do not find any of the characteristics to be confusing, include this information in your reflection. 3) The paragraph reflection can be written on the back of the survey or typed on a separate sheet of paper. |
This assignment is worth 3.0 points: 1.0 point for completing the survey, and 2.0 points for the reflection paragraph (1.0 point for what you have learned and 1.0 point for what you may still find confusing about the nature of science). |
| Corn Seedling Observations and Analysis | Week 1 Laboratory | Observe corn seedlings and analyze information. | Two groups of corn seeds have been germinated. One is a standard corn seed (AA) that is acting as a "normal" control, the other is homozygous (aa) for a recessive albinism mutation that block's the seedling's ability to produce chlorophyll. This assignment has two parts. Part I: In class, observe the two groups of seeds and fill in your observations on the next page. Include: number of kernels that have germinated; root characteristics (indicate if roots are not visible); seedling height above ground; and physical appearance of seedling above ground (color, shape, etc.). Be specific and thorough in your observations. Also, be sure to get the stamp that you have completed the observations in class. Part II: As homework, provide bulleted answers to each of the following questions: 1. Is there any evidence of an effect of the albino mutation on the homozygous recessive (aa) seeds? Explain your answer. 2. Besides the albino mutation, list at least four other factors that could impact seedling growth. 3. Predict what may happen as the two seedling groups continue to grow. Support your prediction with information from this activity. Answers to these questions can be typed or neatly written on the back of the stamped observation sheet. |
This assignment is worth 5.0 pts.: 2.0 points for observations recorded on the observation sheet, and 1.0 point each for thoroughly answering each of the three questions. The observations need to be completed and stamped in your scheduled laboratory or during GTA office hours weeks 1 or 2 (no later) to receive credit for this assignment. |
| Dog Artificial Selection Paragraph | Week 2 Recitation | Summarize video information on dog artificial selection. | From your video notes, write a paragraph summarizing how dogs have changed over time from wolf ancestors. Include: (1) two different hypotheses for how dogs became domesticated; (2) what determines physical traits and their various forms (like coat color); and (3) an example of how breeding has accentuated some traits and diminished others. | This assignment is worth 3.0 points: 1.0 point for each component of the paragraph (two hypotheses of domestication; what determines physical traits; example of altered traits). A 0.75 point deduction will be taken if the assignment is not written as a paragraph. |
| Protein Synthesis Drawing | Week 2 Laboratory | Summarize the process of protein synthesis in a drawing. | On a piece of paper, sketch the synthesis of a hypothetical protein fragment within a cell. Include the following labeled elements: cell, nucleus, cytoplasm, ribosome, the DNA sequence of CCC-AGT-AAC, the corresponding mRNA sequence, the specific amino acid sequence produced, rRNA, tRNA, nucleotides, codon, transcription, and translation. Materials provided in lab and at the course website can be used as references. The drawing should not be an exact copy of references, but rather a sketch from memory and personal knowledge. Use the DNA sequence provided to determine the correct corresponding mRNA and amino acid sequence. | This assignment is worth 4.0 points (0.25 points each for cell, nucleus, cytoplasm, ribosome, rRNA, tRNA, nucleotides, codon, transcription, and translation , 0.5 points each for the DNA sequence of CCC-AGT-AAC, the corresponding mRNA sequence, and the specific amino acid sequence produced). |