Flower evolution

07IPs,

How did the modern flower come about? Fossils from China suggest that flowers originated from a lakeside plant which produced ovules on its branching stems, which eventually modified into pretty, colourful flowers with the ability to attract insects to help them exchange genetic material through cross-pollination, or having wing-like structures to help dispersal by wind.

These observations all say one thing: the flower as a strategy to move towards sex as the primary method of reproduction.

Here's the link

Tour the cell!

Hello 08IP01 and 08IP02,

This link to a video is very good for consolidating your understanding of the cell!

Postgrad Diploma in Education grad pics! (Jul 10, 2008)

Hi everyone,

These pics are of priceless friends I've made in NIE =) Enjoy.

MSc graduation pics! (Jul 8, 2008)

[Me and my lab mates. The gentleman beside me is my mentor, both in lab and in life. He received his PhD during graduation as well]

Been away from the NUS lab @ Dept of Microbiology, where I spent 4 years at, for more than a year already. The 4 years had been meaningful. I started with undergrad research and found that I like it enough to even pursue a postgrad project, spending lots of time in the lab. I learned life-changing skills like writing, presenting, teamwork, resource-finding, strategy-forming (in terms of research direction and in life), communicating, humility (there are always other people who are better than myself) etc. Research-based education kicks ass. You learn technical AND soft skills AND life skills. A potpourri for workplace survival.

Things to do when I'm not around on 10 Jul (Thur )

Instructions for 08IP01
During the 2-period lesson, you are expected to do independent study. Do the following:

1. Get into 6 groups. Each group should comprise at least one local student, one international student and one student of the opposite gender.
2. Each group will search the internet, or browse a textbook and research ONE of the following topics (the topic CANNOT be repeated):
   a. Difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes
   b. Cell nucleus
   c. Mitochondrion
   d. Chloroplast
   e. Endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus
   f. Ribosomes and lysosomes
3. Make simple PowerPoint slides (maximum 10 slides).
4. We will do class presentations next week. Since these topics WILL BE TESTED, your effort during the double-period will be helpful.

Instructions for 07IP04
(1) Research using the internet or books the meaning of these terms:
a. Diploid
b. Haploid
c. Tetraploid
d. Trisomy 21

(2) What is the relationship between DNA, gene, chromosome? Do they mean the same thing? Or are they different? Explain your answer.

(3) Complete this INDIVIDUAL assignment on paper and this will be collected (Carol, please). We will select students to present their answers in class.