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SCIENCE SONGS |
Floating and Sinking
Why do things float?
Why do things sink?
What do you think?
What do you think?
Things that float
Are lighter than water.
That's why they float.
That's why they float.
Things that sink
Are heavier than water.
That's why they sink.
That's why they sink.
by Meish Goldish
Genotype Versus Phenotype
words and music by Greg Crowther
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Lyrics |
I'll start this by noting
That genes encode proteins,
Which dictate cell function and form.
So if a gene mutates,
The cell may gain new traits
Far better or worse than the norm.
CHORUS:
Genotype -- ooh...
It's the genes you possess;
Nothing more, nothing less --
Versus phenotype -- ooh...
Your appearance and health
And reproductive success.
In some situations,
There is a mutation,
Yet phenotype stays just the same.
So guessing the genotype
Just from the phenotype
Can be a difficult game.
CHORUS
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Comments |
The distinction between genotype and phenotype can be confusing to introductory biology students. This song was written as a study aid for these students -- specifically, the students in Biological Frameworks for Engineers.
Mitosis
words and music by Greg Crowther
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Lyrics |
Mitosis is a process (mitosis is a process)
By which a cell divides (by which a cell divides) --
A sequence of four phases (a sequence of four phases)
By which it must abide (by which it must abide).
CHORUS:
Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.
(Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.)
Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.
(Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.)
Now prophase is the first phase (now prophase is the first phase):
The chromosomes appear (the chromosomes appear).
In metaphase, they line up (in metaphase, they line up)
At the middle of the sphere (at the middle of the sphere).
CHORUS
The chromosomes are split up (the chromosomes are split up)
As anaphase goes by (as anaphase goes by),
And telophase then seals 'em (and telophase then seals 'em)
In brand-new nuclei (in brand-new nuclei).
CHORUS
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Comments |
This song is a call-and-response number. The teacher or song leader sings a line, and then the students or chorus members echo that same line.
Photosynthesis Calypso
This parody (written by Greg Crowther) is sung to the tune of The Banana Boat Song (words by Irving Burgie and William Attaway; traditional Jamaican melody).
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Lyrics |
Pho-to, Pho-to!
Daylight come and the plants make food.
Pho, me say pho, me say pho, me say pho, me say pho,
Me say pho-to-syn-the-sis!
Daylight come, and the plants make...
Calvin cycle carries out carbon fixation
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
When RuBP undergoes carboxylation!
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
Come Mr. Tally Man, tally up the glucose.
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
Plants convert it into starch and into sucrose.
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
Three carbons, four carbons, five carbons, six!
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
That’s what you get when CO2 is fixed!
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
Pho, me say pho-to!
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
Pho, me say pho, me say pho, me say pho, me say pho,
Me say pho-to-syn-the-sis!
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
The beautiful cycle on this page
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
Needs ATP and NADPH!
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
Three carbons, four carbons, five carbons, six!
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
That’s what you get when CO2 is fixed!
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
Pho, me say pho-to!
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
Pho, me say pho, me say pho, me say pho, me say pho,
Me say pho-to-syn-the-sis!
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
Come Mr. Tally Man, tally up the glucose.
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
Plants convert it into starch and into sucrose.
(Daylight come and the plants make food)
Pho-to, Pho-to!
Daylight come and the plants make food.
Pho, me say pho, me say pho, me say pho, me say pho,
Me say pho-to-syn-the-sis!
Daylight come and the plants make food.
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Comments |
The Calvin cycle is the part of photosynthesis in which carbon dioxide (CO2) is "fixed," i.e., combined with ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) to form two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate (PGA). Additional reactions in the cycle convert some of this PGA into glucose, which can then be further converted into starch or sucrose.
