A.P. Biology Advice

First off, make sure you know that there is a lot to remember in this class. What will help is reading the textbook, and I regret that I didn't look it over more. Make sure you can fully understand the subject matter and relate it to different biology topics. Also most of the test questions will be real life examples that relate right back to a topic, such as two different populations living in the same niche and their interactions or how the evolution of one species affects the evolution of another. For the A.P. test make sure you buy a some kind of review guide to study with. The one I bought from Landry really helped me succeed on the test. Lastly, in A.P. bio, just make sure you do your work and put in the effort to succeed in the class. This class really helps you get ready for college level courses.

What Did I learn In A.P. Bio...

The main thing I learned in A.P. Bio was that biology is much more than the underlining subjects associated with it. The class has taught me how every part of science is linked together in a complex way and biology is a way to interpret and link the subjects together. For example, molecular science can be linked with chemistry, by all the reactions that cells use to interact internally within themselves and externally with other cells. After completing the course I now relieve how important biology is to interpreting science.  

Why the Cytoskeleton is One of the Most Important Organelle in the Cell...

The Cytoskeleton is a network of fibers throughout the cell's cytoplasm. it is one of the most important organelles in the cell, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, for cells without cell walls, such as the Eukaryotic cells inside  your body, the Cytoskeleton determines the shape of the cell. The Cytoskeleton does this with its large framework of intermediate filaments. Secondly, because of the dynamic collection of micro filaments and microtubles the Cytoskeleton can be continually assemble and disassemble in different parts, resulting in the movement of the cell. Thirdly, the micro filaments and microtubles can help move organelles from place to place and anchor them in the cell. Fourthly, during cell division, microtubles accomplish movement of the chromosomes to the daughter nucleus. Then micro filaments help to divide the two developing cells by constricting the central region of the cell. Some fun facts about the Cytoskeleton is that it has a three part structure, makes up the cells muscle and skeleton systems, mostly made of micro filaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments, contains a large number of proteins, and also helps to take place in endosytosis (the intake of external materials).

Some diseases associated with the Cytoskeleton are mainly neurodegeneration disorders, due to a mutation in the Cytoskeletons ability to transport vesicles across the cell. Diseases such as Alzheimer's, Taupathies, Polyglutamine, Amyotropic lateral scelerosis, and Parkinsons are just a few of these neurodegeration disorders assciated with the Cytoskeleton.

I picked the Cytoskeleton because of its incredible function inside the cell. Its the infrastructure for all Eukaryotic cells within your body. It helps transport vesicles and other organelles across the cell to where they are needed. It helps in cell division to pull the two new cell's apart. It's the reason why Eukaryotic cells can move around the body to stop infections and disease. The Cytoskeleton is truly one of the most important organelles in the cell.


 

Invasive Species

Invasive species are species that are introduced to a different non-native environment. This is mainly done by humans accidentally introducing these non-native species by lack of care in transportation. Invasive species invade and take the resources (nutrients, water, space) of the native species who are not adapted to defend against the non-native species. These invasive species go into a period of exponential growth due to no predators challenging there populations. The effects that invasive species puts on an ecosystem,  can drastically change the local food webs. Examples such as killing native species, taking over specific food chains because of no natural predators, and invasive species will out compete native species for resources. Things that can be done to prevent invasive species outbreak is to never let loose pets of any sort into the environment, restrictions on transported goods, clean boats before moving to a different body of water, and clean objects such as kicking gear when moving from place to place. If all these are in place and people follow them then invasive species will vanish from the map.

Homecoming Blog Entry

Sparta's homecoming is a great experience. Firstly, we have a whole day off of school, which is one of the better things about it. Secondly, there are the homecoming speeches, which is one of the more boring things until you get someone that acually has a good speech. Thirdly, there are a lot of games that are fun. Then there is Mock Rock. Mock Rock is a kind of high school musical thing. Teachers get together students and they perform a theme that is selected for that specific class, an example is the juniors had the roaring 20's, so our class did the Great Gatsby with other songs from the 20's aswell. The football game is the best part. We usually lose but this year we won 42-14. Lastly, there is the dance. I have only gone to one, just because sports get in the way, but the time I went it was pretty fun.  

Brief Summary

My name is Cole Orlikowski. I currently play on the Varsity teams for Hockey and Golf for Sparta High School. I live on Camp Lake near Sparta, Michigan. My favorite subjects are science and history, although science is more interesting to me. I hope to one day enter into the fields of either medical or astronomy. I am taking A.P. Bio to further my education in the area of biology and hope to get college experience of how college courses will work.