The Odyssey

It was our second National education and the NE message we were to focus on was "we have confidence in our future". This was linked to what we were supposed to be learning through Biopolis, which is a center for biomedical sciences in Singapore. Each of us were to be a part of a cell, and submit a resume to apply for a job at the Biopolis. I was given the role of Mitochondrion, a part found in both animal and plant cells. I had to research for lots of information in order to understand what my cell part does and how t helps the cell "I'm" residing in. I think that completing a resume aids in our learning of cells, for we would conduct researches on different cell parts, which would enable us to understand the cell parts better. I think this is a fun way to learn a topic and ups our interest in cells.

That day, Mdm Riza went through a part of the notes on photosynthesis. After that, we conducted experiments based on respiration. Though I knew that breathing and respiration were indeed two different matters, I realised that many people had mistaken respiration for breathing and vice versa. After conducting the experiments, we were now clear about the difference between respiration and breathing.

That day, Mdm Riza had carried out a distillation experiment before we stepped into the laboratory. Her aim was to collect pure water, which has a boiling point of 100 degree celsius. From the experiment, I learnt that distillation is to separate just two subsatnces in a mixture. When the temperature reaches 100 degrre celsius and water is collected, the water is PURE. However, if the temperature is 99.5 degree celsius, then the water collected isn't PURE.
We conducted an experiment on paper chromatography. Through this experiment, I understood how paper chromatography works. A spot of dye which is placed above the pencil mark on a strip of filter paper is inserted into a test tube of alcohol, which is known as the solvent. The spot of dye must be above the alcohol level so that the colours do not dissolve in the alcohol. The filter paper will absorb the alcohol and as the alcohol slowly spreads upwards, the dye gets separated. The colour with the most solubility will rise to the top while the colour with the least solubility will remain at the bottom.
I've learnt that paper chromatography and distillation can only be used for a mixture of liquids. For distillation, porcelain chips are used to ensure smooth boiling of the water in the distillation (conical) flask.

That day, we were supposed to present our solution to Mr Chang's problem to the class. My group had decided to use evaporation and filtration to achieve our three compounds. I've also learnt other ways of separating the three compounds through other groups' presentation. Mdm Riza had explained that using heat to separate the mixture might not be ideal, as the compounds might be broken down into simpler substances and not the original compounds we want. She also showed us a video on different separation techniques: Magnetism, Filtration and Evaporation. The video is really helpful as it illustrates how the separation experiment is carried out.

We had a mini quiz to test our knowledge on mixtures. We had to be clear about the differences between compounds and mixtures in order to be able to answer the questions. The questions required a true or false answer. WE also had to choose as a group the best solution to Mr Chang's problem and pen the steps down on a piece of A3 sized paper.

That day, we had our 1st test in term 3. The test required a good source of knowledge and plenty of calculation is involved. I would say that the test is pretty manageable and we need to be careful and read the questions CAEFULLY to avoid letting teachers eating our marks.

Yesterday, the lesson was dedicated to going through our worksheets. Mdm Riza continued with the checking of our workbook exercises from where we left off from the previous lesson. There was one question that i did not know how to do entirely. It was only after Mdm Riza's explanation did I know how to answer the question. I learnt that the "yellow powder" stated in the question is actually sulfur. I also learnt that we have to observe the question very carefully as it will give us clues as how to solve the question. The unknown substance, X, is a metal as it is attracted to a magnet. This metal is iron filings. This is an example of careful observation. In another worksheet, I got a question wrong. The question asked "What would happen if neutrons was missing from an atom?" Actually, the atom would collapse inwards as the electrons and protons would be attracted to one another, therefore resulting in the stated consequence. I enjoyed it when Mdm Riza gave us additional information about chemical equations which transformed from word equations. I think that this lesson was a really fruitful one and i enjoyed myself tremendously!!