Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Thermoregulation

  • click on the following animation and continue until it says ¨The End¨
  • Thermoregulation

Monday, September 29, 2008

HIV

  • read the notes on HIV below, and take the following quiz on HIV
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • HIV is the virus that leads to AIDS
  • HIV is a retrovirus that contains RNA, and uses reverse transcriptase to copy its genome into DNA
  • the viral DNA is then incorporated into the host DNA
  • HIV infects Helper T lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) which have the CD4 protein on their surface
  • to a lesser extent, it also attacks any other immune cell that has the CD4 protein
  • the virus contains an envelope that binds to CD4 proteins, resulting in receptor-mediated endocytosis in which the host cell engulfs the virus
  • in transcribing and translating the viral genes, the host cell reproduces the virus, and it buds out of the cell to infect other cells
  • the Helper T lymphocytes are disabled and destroyed, often with no symptoms, causing a significant decrease in levels of these cells
  • gradual deterioration of the immune system and the destruction of the lymphoid organs triggers the immunosuppression that leads to AIDS
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the final stage of HIV infection
  • one of the signs of AIDS is opportunistic infections, which take advantage of the body´s weakened immune system and lead to premature death

Friday, September 26, 2008

Immunity

  • read text pages 319-329 and do p. 344 # 1, 3

Unit Test: Homeostasis

  • the unit test will take place on Friday October 3rd
  • the following topics on the IB syllabus will be covered:
  • 6.5 (Nerves, Hormones and Homeostasis) - 15 questions (nerves), 6 questions (hormones and homeostasis)
  • 6.6 (Reproduction) - 5 questions
  • 6.3 (Defence against infectious disease) - 5 questions
  • Test format: multiple choice, short answer, data analysis, modified true/false (in which the statement must be corrected if it is false)
  • note: some questions will be taken directly from the IB syllabus

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Endocrine Quiz

  • there will be a quiz on the Endocrine system (all topics relating to hormones) on Monday September 29
  • format: multiple choice, matching, short answer
  • hormones you should know: insulin, glucagon, estrogen, progesterone, LH, FSH, thyroxin, TSH, TRH, epinephrine, oxytocin, GnRH

Monday, September 22, 2008

Female Reproductive Hormones

Friday, September 19, 2008

Synapses

  • check out the following animation of synapses

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Reflex Arcs and Electrochemical Impulses

Monday, September 15, 2008

Overview of the Nervous system

  • complete the following module on the Nervous System
  • read text pages 350-359

Friday, September 12, 2008

The Nervous System

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Blood Glucose Regulation

  • if you are already stressed out from school, and need to relax, click on the Singing Horses

Homeostasis

  • read the text pages 376 and 377, and do page 378 #1, 4, 5
  • animation of the action of epinephrine on a target cell

Monday, September 8, 2008

The Endocrine System