Honors Biology Summer Assignment 2017
Henry M. Jackson High School
Directions: Over the summer, we would like you to prepare for the science course you are taking next
school year. Try to pace yourself; there is quite a bit of work!
1.
Prepare for the language of Biology (well, science!).
This list of Greek or Latin words and roots of words most commonly used in Biology will help you speak comfortably
and understand terms and ideas related to Biology and in science in general. We would like you to be able to recognize
and use comfortably the majority of these terms.
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Study the document entitled, “Scientific Root Words, Prefixes, And Suffixes”.
Use index cards (recommended: with diagrams!), a quizlet, or another tool or app to study them.
Many of us are visual learners so drawings will help you learn.
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Optional: Find an article from a science journal like Science, Nature, Scientific American, New Scientist, PLOS One,
Journal of Cell Biology, Cell, etc. and read it! See how much you understand from studying and learning Greek
and Latin roots.
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During the first week of school, you will have a short quiz on terms that are based on these roots.
This will be your first grade!
2. TED Talks
Choose 2 videos of the following options to watch and watch them both. If you cannot access the link, Google search
the bolded terms at the end of the link. Take notes.
http://www.ted.com/talks/stephen_palumbi_following_the_mercury_trail.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/jeremy_jackson.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/william_li.html
https://www.ted.com/talks/anthony_atala_printing_a_human_kidney
https://www.ted.com/talks/peter_attia_what_if_we_re_wrong_about_diabetes
https://www.ted.com/talks/ed_yong_suicidal_wasps_zombie_roaches_and_other_tales_of_parasites
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In addition to your notes, compare and contrast 3 details each (i.e., list 3 similarities and 3
differences) about the information presented and learned from the talks.
Complete the Summer Lecture form attached for one of the videos you watched.
Be ready to discuss which lecture you watched on the first week of school.
3. Summer Reading… with a science twist!
You will use the information in your book throughout the entire year and be tested on your ability to connect ideas from
your book to the units we cover.
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Choose 1 book from the following list of options and read it. Used books can be purchased through
Amazon, stores, or borrowed through the library. Act early, and contact one of us if you have trouble
obtaining a summer reading book. We will have a book sharing contact list at our meeting.
Take notes.
Summer reading book options:
To help you decide which book to read, this one is:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Your Inner Fish… by Neil Shubin
Survival of the Sickest by Sharon Moalem
The Universe Within by Neil Shubin
About cancer and ethics in research
About evolution and animal development
About disease and evolution
About our universe and our formation
Do you have any questions that weren’t addressed here? Email us throughout the summer; we will check our emails
once every few weeks. We look forward to having you soon, and we hope you enjoy your summer learning!
Sheryl Mason ([email protected]) and Brielle Kemis ([email protected]) – your JHS Honors Biology Teachers
Scientific Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes
Example words that use the root and its meaning
ab–al
anteraquarchaeo–ary, -arium
–ase
beneautochlordi-, dipldorsecoectoendo–eous
geo–genegluc-, glychaplhemherbheterohyperhypo–ine
interintra–ism
iso–kary–logy
macr–meter, -metry
monomicromultimutoligo–ous
permeaphenoper–philphotosaccharscisemiterrzyg-
away from, out from
having the character of
front
water
primitive, ancient
denotes a place for something
enzymes
well, good
self
green
two, double
back
house
outside of
in, into, within
nature of, like
land, earth
origin, birth
sweet, sugar
simple
blood
grass, plants
different, other
above, beyond, over
below, under, less
of or pertaining to
within, inside
between
state or condition
equal, same
cell nucleus
the study of
large
measurement
one, single
small
many
change
few, little
full of
pass, go
to show
through
loving, fond of
light
sugar
to know
half, partly
earth, land
joined together
aquatic: relating to water
amylase: an enzyme that digests starch molecules
herbivore: an organism that eats plants
Summer Lecture Form
Name
Directions: Give a thorough description or explanation of the lecture you attended (or watched) by addressing each of the
questions or tasks below.
Title of Lecture
Name of Speaker
Date attended/watched
List 3 concepts (if you
can) that you
already/sort of already
knew that the speaker
discussed in the lecture.
List 5 brand new ideas
you learned from this
lecture.
These can be really broad
ideas or really specific
ideas.
How do you think this
topic fits in with the idea
that Biology is the study of
life?
Provide some details using
terminology related to
anything living.
This is due during the first week of school.