11/14

This week, we discussed the important processes of photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and fermentation. We wrote equations for photosynthesis and respiration, and discussed how each process depended on the other. We did a lab to demonstrate the processes of cellular respiration and fermentation in yeast cells. In this experiment, we set out to determine if different amounts of sugar affected the carbon dioxide production of yeast cells. In other words, we wanted to see if respiration/fermentation increased if the amount of "food" was increased as well. We used balloons to "catch" the carbon dioxide that was being released from the processes, and we used the circumference of each balloon as a measurement of how much gas was produced.

On Friday we began discussing the processes of mitosis and apoptosis. We learned the importance of each, and we will have the chance to see some "mitosis animation" on Monday in the computer lab. Next week, we will discuss cancer and determine how this disease relates to our discussions of mitosis and apoptosis.