Summer Assignment 7.28

Only one link this week, since it is a longer article, and I think it is important for everyone to read it. CRISPR-Cas9 technology allows researchers to edit DNA sequences in any living organism. This technology is being looked at for applications ranging from curing diseases, to making organisms resistant to parasites, to basic research about gene function. But there are major ethical issues, which the article points out.

What do you all think? Is this something that is worthwhile? Or do the potential risks outweigh the benefits?

Summer Assignment 7.21

Quick reminder before the links that comments go through moderation before they are posted. This makes it easier for me to keep track of who has commented and when. If you don't see your comment show up immediately, it is most likely in the moderation list. I generally try to check a few times a day, usually early in the morning and in the evening.

• What breaking up does to your brain
• You've heard the Wilhelm Scream, even if you've never heard of it

• Another week, another new dinosaur
• Turns out black panthers actually have spots, we just couldn't see them before, Hope there is time to update this.

Summer Assignment 7.14

First official post of the 2015 Summer Assignment. Rules are simple:

1. Look at the list of links I provide.
2. Pick a few (or all) to read.
3. Make an intelligent comment here that shows you read and thought about at least one.
4. Gain points.

• When the official advice after being by stung is to "just lie down and start screaming" I think it is pretty safe to say the tarantula hawk is going right to the top of everyone's least favorite animal list.
• New dinosaur
• New subatomic particle
• And of course... Pluto

Summer Assignment 2015

Welcome to the AP Biology summer blog for 2015. I hope to get the first official post (that you will have to comment on) in the next few days. In the meantime, some things you can do:

1. Become a follower of the blog. There are two ways to do this, both can be found a little ways down on the right hand sidebar. If you follow via email, Blogger will send you notifications of new posts. There is also the option to subscribe to an RSS feed for both posts and comments.

2. Follow me on Twitter (@DrHMTHS). There is a button to the right to do this quickly. I will be posting on Twitter when new posts are up. If you do not have a Twitter account, it is probably a good idea to go ahead and get one; we will be using it in my class next year.

3. Check out the Podcast list to the right. All of these are excellent, and are a great way to keep up with current science topics, and they are very entertaining as well.

4. If you know of a time frame which you will be unable to comment due to vacation, follow this link to complete the form to let us know before you leave for vacation. We will make arrangements with you as far as making the missed weeks up. If you do not let us know ahead of time, the missed weeks will count as zeros.

Water and pH videos

If you don't have access to the class wiki yet, here are the water and pH videos for you to watch.