Mr. Damon's terminale IB
Standard Level & Higher Level Biology

Graduating Class of 2012

This page is to inform you of your homework, exam revision and any other information you will need.  The assignments will be listed in reverse chronological order so that the most recent work will be on top of the list.   

 
To Do Every Week:
Be sure to learn your lessons and learn the science vocabulary.  Students are expected to dedicate 20 to 40 minutes a week to learning 15 to 20  science words.   Knowing the material means you are ready for surprise quizzes and you will better understand, appreciate and participate in class discussions. 

Need help getting organized?  Click here for some suggestions.

Which IB Biology book do I need?

The book for this course is Biology Standard Level or Biology Higher Level depending on which level you are taking.  The book is available at the EABJM Bookshop (SL is 41€ and HL is 52€).  Or you can click here to order the SL from Amazon France.  Alternatively, click here for the HL book.  If you think you might switch levels during the year, it is safer to buy the HL book. 

   
 
   
 

New System

  • Starting in September 2011, I am trying out the school's new online homework system on the "Vie Scolaire" page.  I will leave this site up as a page of resources but the weekly homework should be on the school's site. 

 
   
 

Corrèze Field Course Information and Data

Read these first - they explain which investigations can count towards DCP or CE and how to proceed:

Results

These sheets contain the results from each investigation.  It is important to note that at the bottom of most of the Excel sheets, there are tabs to see Group A, Group B, Group C, etc.
   
   
   
 

Revision for the Testing Week in May 2011:

(text in blue is new since last term)

updated 15 May 2011

  • The following concepts from Topic 1:
    • 1.1.1 error bars on graphs
    • 1.1.2 mean and standard deviation calculations
    • 1.1.3 what does the standard deviation represent?
    • 1.1.4 how is the standard deviation used?
  • All of Topic 2:
    • 2.1 Cell theory
    • 2.2 Prokaryotic cells
    • 2.3 Eukaryotic cells
    • 2.4 Membranes
    • 2.5 Cell division
  • All of Topic 3:
    • 3.1 Chemical elements and water
    • 3.2 Carbohydrates Lipids and Proteins
    • 3.3 DNA structure
    • 3.4 DNA replication
    • 3.5 Transcription and translation
    • 3.6 Enzymes
    • 3.7 Cell Respiration
    • 3.8 Photosynthesis
  • All of Topic 4:
    • 4.1 Chromosomes, genes, alleles and mutations
    • 4.2 Meiosis
    • 4.3 Theoretical genetics
    • 4.4 genetic engineering and biotechnology
  • The following sections of Topic 5:
    • 5.1 Communities and Ecosystems
    • 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect
    • 5.3 Populations
    • 5.4 Evolution
  • All of Topic 8 (HL):
    • HL material: 8.1 Cell Respiration
    • HL material: 8.2 Photosynthesis
  • All of Topic 10 (HL):
    • HL material: 10.1 Meiosis
    • HL material: 10.2 Dihybrid crosses and gene linkage
    • HL material: 10.3 Polygenic inheritance
  • All of Option D :
    • D.1 Origin of life on Earth
    • D.2 Species and speciation
    • D.3 Human Evolution
    • HL material: D.4 The Hardy-Weinberg principle
    • HL material: D.5 Phylogeny and systematics

     

  • Remember, when you study, always follow this order:
    1. start with the IB Programme Guide for Biology to see what the assessment statements are (i.e. "Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.")
    2. use the guide to help you grasp the difference between each command term (define, identify, describe, outline, explain, evaluate... on pages 11 and 12)
    3. refer to any class notes you have
    4. see what the sections in the book have to say
    5. double check that you have memorized all the scientific vocabulary terms (this is what the flash cards are for) - you should have hundreds by now and you should know them in both directions:  word to definition and definition to word. 
    6. it is worth practising with the questions at the end of the chapter - you can check your answers at the back of the book

Have a look at my compositions groupées revision guide.  It contains suggestions for successful revision and test-taking skills. 
 

 
   

Videos and Web sites for understanding the HL material we have been working on:

Links used in class during HL lessons:

 
   
 

To do for May 13th and May 20th:

  • Design an experiment working with enzymes - you should prepare a draft to send by Friday the 13th (23:59) and the final by Friday the 20th (23:59). Remember that deadlines are not targets - you are free to pass in the work any time you want between now and the deadline.  If you are interested in getting the work done in advance so that you can concentrate on the testing week, that's fine - just let me know when you send your draft when you would like to have my comments. 
  • Start by reading the criteria in the guide, then use inspiration from online sources, previous lab sheets and the practice enzyme lab we did with the hard-boiled eggs.  Be sure to cite all your sources because one of the first things I do is look online to see if students have gotten too much help and inspiration from outside sources. 
  • Designs are typically 1.5 to 2 pages but they might be more if you have diagrams of apparatus.  One way to see if your design is workable is to hand it to someone and ask them, "Using only these instructions, do you think you could do this experiment? If not, what kind of missing information would you need?"
   
 

Revision for the Bac Blanc practice exams in February 2011:

  • All of Topic 2:
    • 2.1 Cell theory
    • 2.2 Prokaryotic cells
    • 2.3 Eukaryotic cells
    • 2.4 Membranes
    • 2.5 Cell division
  • The following sections of Topic 3:
    • 3.1 Chemical elements and water
    • 3.2 Carbohydrates Lipids and Proteins
    • 3.3 DNA structure
    • 3.4 DNA replication
    • 3.5 Transcription and translation
    • 3.6 Enzymes
  • The following section of Topic 5:
    • 5.4 Evolution

     

  • For Paper 3 Option D sections:
    • D.1 Origin of life on Earth
    • D.2 Species and speciation

     

  • Remember, when you study, always follow this order:
    1. start with the IB Programme Guide for Biology to see what the assessment statements are (i.e. "Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.")
    2. use the guide to help you grasp the difference between each command term (define, identify, describe, outline, explain, evaluate... on pages 11 and 12)
    3. refer to any class notes you have
    4. see what the sections in the book have to say
    5. double check that you have memorized all the scientific vocabulary terms (this is what the flash cards are for) - you should have over 100 by now and you should know them in both directions:  word to definition and definition to word. 
    6. it is worth practising with the questions at the end of the chapter - you can check your answers at the back of the book

Have a look at my compositions groupées revision guide.  It contains suggestions for successful revision and test-taking skills. 
 

 
   
   

 

 
   
 

Revision for the Bac Blanc practice exams in November 2010:

  • All of Topic 2:
    • 2.1 Cell theory
    • 2.2 Prokaryotic cells
    • 2.3 Eukaryotic cells
    • 2.4 Membranes
    • 2.5 Cell division
    • 3.1 Chemical elements and water
  • Remember, when you study, always follow this order:
    1. start with the IB Programme Guide for Biology to see what the assessment statements are (i.e. "Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.")
    2. use the guide to help you grasp the difference between each command term (define, identify, describe, outline, explain, evaluate... on pages 11 and 12)
    3. refer to any class notes you have
    4. see what the sections in the book have to say
    5. double check that you have memorized all the scientific vocabulary terms (this is what the flash cards are for) - you should have over 100 by now and you should know them in both directions:  word to definition and definition to word. 
    6. it is worth practising with the questions at the end of the chapter - you can check your answers at the back of the book

Have a look at my compositions groupées revision guide.  It contains suggestions for successful revision and test-taking skills. 
 

 
   
 

To do for Wednesday 20 October:

  • New reading assignment:  Section 2.5 about mitosis.  You need to list the vocabulary words, define them and memorize them.  It is strongly suggested that you practice drawing the different phases of mitosis - it is the best way to know if you understand the complete process. 
  • If you want to check out the site we looked at in class, it's www.johnkyrk.com. 

 
 

To do for Wednesday 6 October:

  • New reading assignment:  Section 2.4 about membranes.  I should not have to say this by now but of course, you need to list the vocabulary words, define them and memorize them. 
  • Bring your lab coat when you come to the lab - we will be doing a new experiment measuring the sizes of cells.  No lab coat = no admission to class = marked absent = many hassles for you and me.  To prepare for this experiment, please familiarize yourself with the techniques used by looking at the following sites:
  • Since carnets  will be signed, be sure to bring yours and check that you put the cell quiz grade and the first egg lab grade in it - only grades out of 7 should appear in your carnet. 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't have Word or Excel? Here's an alternative

Reading for Wednesday 29 September:

  • In a distraction-free environment, read Section 2.3 in the book and learn the biological vocabulary.  Keep up with flash cards and revision.  Remember, biology is cumulative - you need to remember the stuff we have already done in order to understand the new material. 
  • You also have your final lab due - please send all homework by email. 

Homework:

  • Be sure to read and memorize the vocabulary from sections 2.1 and 2.2 by Wednesday 22 September if you have not already done so.
  • The best way to memorize words is using Flash Cards.  Clicking on the words brings you to a page explaining how to make them and use them.  You should know the vocabulary in both "directions" (word > definition and also definition > word).
  • Write a lab report about the egg experiments (see guidelines in the grey box below) for 29 September.  Be sure to include all the information I outlined on the board.  If you want to send a rough draft for comments, you have that option but please do so by Wednesday the 22nd.  Be sure to use Word (and Excel for graphs).

 
   
 

Guidelines for writing a lab report:
   
   
 
  • Bring lab coat on Thursday 16 September for Eggs Part II. 

 
 

First Lab - naked eggs, single cells

  • In our work with eggs which have the shell removed, we measured the mass and volume at the beginning of the experiment and we soaked them in either water or corn syrup (70% glucose, 30% water).  Next week, we will measure the volume again to see the difference.  Hold on to all your observations and measurements - we will need them for writing up the lab which will be due the 3rd week in September (date to be announced).  Here are some pictures because I know you're dying to show your parents...

 

 

To Get at the beginning of the year:

  • You will be needing a scientific calculator for biology over the next 2 years.    We usually use the TI-83 or TI-83 Plus.  Double check with your math teacher for the model you need in math - it should be the same. 
  •  You will need the Pearson IB Biology book (see red box above).  Note that the book store is not open all year but only at the beginning of September.    Be sure to get the right level - there are two versions of the book, one for SL and one for HL.
  • You will need a lab coat right from the beginning of the year. 
  • You will need a science binder or folder.  It is up to you to decide how you want to organize your papers.  There will be notes to take, lab reports, photocopies, homeworks and quizzes to keep organized. 
  • Each student should have a USB key.  Be sure your name is on the outside somewhere.  That way, if you lose it, we know who to return it to.  If you are buying a new one, I do not recommend the U3 Smart drives in class.   Also, 2 or 4 Gb is enough - do not spend more than 25€ for this.

     

  • Copy onto your USB drive the IB Programme Guide for Biology.  You should also have the Academic Honesty guide and the Extended Essay guide on the USB drive.  I recommend that you create a folder for each subject:  Within the Bio folder, have a subfolder for lab reports. 
  • Until you get the book, you can get sample copies of chapter 1 and 2 as PDF files at the Pearson web site:  click here and go to the column on the right which says "Free Samples - sample material - Biology" 
  • You will need to buy a pack of Flash Cards.  These will help you to learn the estimated 700 technical terms you will need to know by May 2012!  (...over 1000 for HL)

 
 

 

 

 

   

© A.W. Damon 2011

 
   

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