7.1 Life is Cellular – We learned that the invention of the microscope in the 1600s enabled researchers to see cells for the first time. Robert Hooke named the empty chambers in cork cells. Cells are the basic units of life. We learned about the discoveries by German scientists that led to the development of the cell theory.
Assignment: Begin packet on Lesson 7.1 Cell Structure and Function.

Test on Unit 2 Ecology Chapter 3 The Biosphere.

We reviewed Lessons 3.3 Energy Flow in Ecosystems and 3.4 Cycles of Matter to prepare for a test on Unit 2 Ecology Chapter 3 The Biosphere.

We reviewed Lessons 3.1 What is Ecology? and 3.2 Energy, Producers, and consumers to prepare for a test on Unit 2 Ecology Chapter 3 The Biosphere. Then we took a practice test on these lessons.

3.4 Cycles of Matter – We can explain why nutrients are important in living systems. We can describe how the availability of nutrients affects the productivity of ecosystems. We investigated the nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus cycles in the biosphere.
Assignment: Describe one biological, one geological, one chemical, and one human activity that is involved in the carbon cycle. (Page 83 “In Your Notebook”)

3.4 Cycles of Matter – We learned to describe how matter cycles among the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. Then we discovered how water cycles through the biosphere. We compared how the processes of transpiration and evaporation place water molecules in the atmosphere.
Assignment: Define each term and describe how they relate to the water cycle: evaporation, transpiration, precipitation, and runoff. (Page 81 “In Your Notebook”)

3.3 Energy Flow in Ecosystems – We investigated models of food webs and food chains. We discovered the different trophic levels and ecological pyramids which show the relative energy available at each trophic level of a food chain or food web. We examined the importance of zooplankton on marine life.
Assignment: Complete 3.3 Assessment questions 1, 2 on page 78

3.3 Energy Flow in Ecosystems – We traced the flow of energy through living systems. We identified the three types of ecological pyramids. We discovered and explored the characteristics of the aquatic food chain whose primary producers are floating algae, phytoplankton, and attached algae.

3.2 Energy, Producers, and Consumers – We learned the difference between photosynthesis and chemosynthesis. We learned about solar and chemical energy. We learned about how various consumers obtain energy and nutrients.
Assignment: Complete 3.2 Assessment questions 1a, 2a, 2b on page 72

School was closed due to Tropical Storm Milton.