Science Classroom Connection

Each student will have an opportunity to draw, label, and explain the stages of cell division based upon the nuclear division process known as mitosis as a precursor to the detailed process of sexual cell division known as meiosis. This latter process will be explained, in details, in the beginning of next semester as an introduction to the study of heredity per district/department decision.

Per our district agreement, it has been decided to do the asexual nuclear cell division process (mitosis) this semester and begin next semester with the sexual nuclear cell division process (meiosis). Therefore, we will explain and identify the stages of cell division throughout this asexual process known as mitosis as well as examine, in details, what happens between the stages of cell division, namely, the cellular activities of the interphase stage.

Students are to simulate the pairing of homologous chromosomes as they will cut out 23 pictures of chromosomes and attempt to match each chromosome with its homologue. Students will use the size, shape, and the banding regions on each of the chromosomes to match them up and glue them next to each other!

Students will reinforce the structure of a chromosome and compare it to other organisms such as prokaryotes. Furthermore, students will be able to identify the key parts of a chromosome, determine the sex of an individual, and examine the differences between an autosome and a sex chromosome. Students will also be able to distinguish between a haploid cell and a diploid cell.

As we embark on cellular reproduction we will tackle the structure of the chromosome, identify differences in its structure between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, as well as distinguish between a diploid cell and a haploid cell  in terms of the chromosomal number that is present in an autosomal chromsome and in a sex chromosome.

We will complete answering and correcting the Science Notebook Reading Guide pages 83 and 84. We will then reinforce the Reading Guide through an analysis of the process of ion formation to understand how ions tend to gain or lose electrons that lead to stable ionic compound formation.