Hi everyone, I would like to stress again (and boringly, sorry!) that although the cells and tissues Unit is not due to be completed before the end of this week (and the quiz the week after that), I would urge you to complete it as soon as possible so that you can start the Nervous system Unit prior to the practical/tutorial on Friday this week.
You will see that there are two versions of the Nervous system workbook. The first shorter version was one I just uplifted with minor modifications from the Foundation Studies Bioscience course. The second longer one was what I developed when everyone last year told me how short and inadequate the short one was!
I think I have said all I have to say about what we are going to be doing on Friday in last week's Blog so if you missed it please scroll down for a look. As you will see we have a lot to cover in just 2 hours (perhaps longer if you are prepared to stay into lunch). I shall try and give you a general overview of the subject and then we will try and put this knowledge into operation by doing worksheets involving the brain and neuron models and, of course, dissecting the pigs heads.
Looking forward to seeing you all on Friday,
cheers Ruth
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Hi everyone, This week you should be looking through the notes on Unit 1 Cells and Tissues. You will see that much of the information on the cell is familiar but slightly more detailed than in Bioscience 1. The usual organelles are there but you are expected to know a bit more about their structures and functions. There are also some new structures including peroxisomes, flagella and cilia and different kinds of filaments and tubules that make up what is known as the cytoskeleton that allows whole cells, organelles and chemicals within cells to move.
The Unit then goes on to describe the structure of the plasma membrane and the various ways in which molecules pass across it. This is the part of the unit that has most new information as it describes the functions of the various different proteins in the plasma membrane. You will learn that diffusion can occur through the phospholipid bilayer, through protein channels and through gated protein channels, and that active transport can be aided by transporter proteins, co transporters or counter transporters. You will learn how receptor mediated endocytosis differs from pinocytosis and in the interactive version of the Unit one of the revision excercises asks you to match the molecule with its mode of entry into the cell.
Two other new topics in this Unit are the cell cycle and the different stages involved in normal cell divion or Mitosis. Finally the section on tissues should be pretty familiar although a few new tissues are described --pseudostratified columnar epithelium for example-- and the structures and functions of the tissues are described in slightly greater detail.
It would be great if you could get this Unit completed this week so that you can start on Unit 2, the nervous system, next week. This will allow you to come to the tutorial/practical on Friday Aug 14th with some knowledge of this system. Here I can talk about the basic structure of the neuron and the central and peripheral nervous systems but it would also be good if you can apply some of the knowledge by doing excercises that involve recognising structures on models of the nerve cell or neuron and the human brain. I have also ordered some pigs heads which have been cut in half to reveal the brain so you can observe and dissect these. Looking at a real brain and recognising the different areas and structures is a wonderful learning opportunity that is definateley enhanced by a bit of prior knowledge.
Have a good week,
Cheers Ruith
The Unit then goes on to describe the structure of the plasma membrane and the various ways in which molecules pass across it. This is the part of the unit that has most new information as it describes the functions of the various different proteins in the plasma membrane. You will learn that diffusion can occur through the phospholipid bilayer, through protein channels and through gated protein channels, and that active transport can be aided by transporter proteins, co transporters or counter transporters. You will learn how receptor mediated endocytosis differs from pinocytosis and in the interactive version of the Unit one of the revision excercises asks you to match the molecule with its mode of entry into the cell.
Two other new topics in this Unit are the cell cycle and the different stages involved in normal cell divion or Mitosis. Finally the section on tissues should be pretty familiar although a few new tissues are described --pseudostratified columnar epithelium for example-- and the structures and functions of the tissues are described in slightly greater detail.
It would be great if you could get this Unit completed this week so that you can start on Unit 2, the nervous system, next week. This will allow you to come to the tutorial/practical on Friday Aug 14th with some knowledge of this system. Here I can talk about the basic structure of the neuron and the central and peripheral nervous systems but it would also be good if you can apply some of the knowledge by doing excercises that involve recognising structures on models of the nerve cell or neuron and the human brain. I have also ordered some pigs heads which have been cut in half to reveal the brain so you can observe and dissect these. Looking at a real brain and recognising the different areas and structures is a wonderful learning opportunity that is definateley enhanced by a bit of prior knowledge.
Have a good week,
Cheers Ruith
Sunday, July 26, 2009
July 27th 2009
Hi everyone, Not much to say this week except I hope you have all got on to Blackboard OK, had a look at the Bioscience 2 timetable and generally cruised around the site.
I was pleased to see everyone on Tuesday. For those that didn't make it we talked about the course and in particular the timetable. I pointed out that the first few weeks are mainly revision although do watch out as there are a few new topics and facts. This means that it would be a really smart to get ahead of the timetable so you have a bit of extra time to do those topics that are new. In particular the nervous system is a mountain to be climbed, with 3 separate parts to the notes and then the endocrine and digestive systems come close up behind with lots of new concepts and terms.
Oh yes, the main discussion point was tutorials. We talked about Elluminate versus face to face sessions and the general concensus was that face to face was more profitable. We decided to provisionally book one for 10-12am on Sept 16th on the Digestive System and then to see how you go and book more if needed. Those that may having trouble getting to one in the middle of the week please speak up. Please email your comments on this so I get all the feedback I can.
I have now worked out all your final marks for Bioscience 1. If you haven't received an email telling you yours tell me and I will resend it.
cheers Ruth
I was pleased to see everyone on Tuesday. For those that didn't make it we talked about the course and in particular the timetable. I pointed out that the first few weeks are mainly revision although do watch out as there are a few new topics and facts. This means that it would be a really smart to get ahead of the timetable so you have a bit of extra time to do those topics that are new. In particular the nervous system is a mountain to be climbed, with 3 separate parts to the notes and then the endocrine and digestive systems come close up behind with lots of new concepts and terms.
Oh yes, the main discussion point was tutorials. We talked about Elluminate versus face to face sessions and the general concensus was that face to face was more profitable. We decided to provisionally book one for 10-12am on Sept 16th on the Digestive System and then to see how you go and book more if needed. Those that may having trouble getting to one in the middle of the week please speak up. Please email your comments on this so I get all the feedback I can.
I have now worked out all your final marks for Bioscience 1. If you haven't received an email telling you yours tell me and I will resend it.
cheers Ruth
Sunday, July 19, 2009
July 20th 2009
Welcome to the second semester and Bioscience 2.
I have just given you access to this course on Blackboard (I hope) where you will find the timetable for the semester, the assessment schedule, the notes and the quizzes. Have a look around and see what you will be covering from now till the end of November.
You will see that the format is pretty similar to that of the first semester and some of the topics will even look familiar. However, Bioscience 2 is one level up on Bioscience 1 so you will covering things in more depth and be you will be expected to understand it to a greater degree as well as apply the knowledge and intergrate it with what you have already learnt to a greater extent.
Just note that the first two topics are really revision and Unit 1 on cells and tissues is really what you have already done but with a few new things added, so you should be able to whizz through them. Then timetabled to start on 17th August is the Nervous system. This is a bit of a shock as it is A BIG UNIT! By big I mean the notes are in 3 parts and you will find much of it is new with an awful lot of new terms. Do not underestimate it. So I am suggesting that it might be a good idea to get ahead of yourself and perhaps start working on this unit before suggested by the timetable. To enable you to do this I have put up the quizzes for all the units from the first day of term. You still need to keep an eye on the closing dates as, like last semester, they will close a week after it says on the timetable.
Looking forward to a great semester and also to seeing you on Tuesday (July 21st) morning,
Good luck,
Ruth
I have just given you access to this course on Blackboard (I hope) where you will find the timetable for the semester, the assessment schedule, the notes and the quizzes. Have a look around and see what you will be covering from now till the end of November.
You will see that the format is pretty similar to that of the first semester and some of the topics will even look familiar. However, Bioscience 2 is one level up on Bioscience 1 so you will covering things in more depth and be you will be expected to understand it to a greater degree as well as apply the knowledge and intergrate it with what you have already learnt to a greater extent.
Just note that the first two topics are really revision and Unit 1 on cells and tissues is really what you have already done but with a few new things added, so you should be able to whizz through them. Then timetabled to start on 17th August is the Nervous system. This is a bit of a shock as it is A BIG UNIT! By big I mean the notes are in 3 parts and you will find much of it is new with an awful lot of new terms. Do not underestimate it. So I am suggesting that it might be a good idea to get ahead of yourself and perhaps start working on this unit before suggested by the timetable. To enable you to do this I have put up the quizzes for all the units from the first day of term. You still need to keep an eye on the closing dates as, like last semester, they will close a week after it says on the timetable.
Looking forward to a great semester and also to seeing you on Tuesday (July 21st) morning,
Good luck,
Ruth
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