Biology

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

*Why no, the science teacher isn't following a set theme. And this should make the students who were complaining about no chemistry much happier.*

Today, we will be discussing the chemicals one would find in a cell. If you would open your notes to page 24. And don't forget to sign the roll sheet--two consecutive absences will earn you detention. I will post lists later on this week.

Reductionism is an assumption that underlies much of contemporary science. The central premise: To understand a complex system, break the system down into its parts. This has been a very successful program for many areas of biology (though not for all). It can, if applied overly dogmatically, lead to an overly mechanical view of the cell. But it is a useful approach, and one that generates an extraordinary volume of research.
* Hierarchic view of life: to understand life fully, need to study it at different levels
* The cell is a chemical machine; its parts and its language are chemical
* Need sophisticated tools to analyze the components: chromatography,electrophoresis, etc.
* Biochemistry is study of these parts

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_jubilation_lee/]

Jubilee signs the roster, starts taking notes, then almost immediately gets bored when it stops resembling English words and decides it's much more fun to stare at the cute boy looking at everybody else like they're about to explode.

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

Jubilee, care to explain the processes of meiosis?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_jubilation_lee/]

Jubilee flinches and smiles sheepishly at Ms. Sidle. "Uh ... it's a cell thingy? When the cells, uh --" She looks up at the blackboard and wishes she understood any of this. "-- uh, when the cells get bored and decide they need friends and split up to make more of 'em? I think. Erm ... I'm so going to fail."

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

Partially correct. *a slight smile* At least in the sense that it is a form of cellular division. Meiosis is the process of forming gametes, or sex cells. Sperm and ova. *glances at the rest of the class* Yes, that will be on the next test.

*lowers her voice a bit* Please pay attention. It'll make things easier on yourself.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_jubilation_lee/]

Jubilee cringes. "Sorry, Ms. Sidle."

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

It's all right.