Curated OER
To Smell or Not to Smell, That is the Ester
Pupils explain the basic concepts of polymerization. Students participate in a lab to create a crude preparation of carboxyl esterase and test its effectiveness in reducing the residual monomer in an emulsion such as paint.
Curated OER
Cracking the Code - Cloning Paper Plasmid
Students explore the "genetic code." They observe how genes may be manipulated for genetic research, gene cloning, and genetic engineering. In a lab setting, students examine the mechanics involved in cutting and ligating DNAs into a...
Curated OER
DNA Fingerprinting Simulation
In this DNA fingerprinting simulation worksheet, students perform an activity that represents using a gel electrophoresis. Students decide who commits a crime in a forensics style lab.
Curated OER
cDNA Sequencing By Restriction Project
Young scholars try to confirm the sequence of a given cDNA clone using the WWW tools and traditional restriction analysis. They grow the clone, prep the plasmid, cut the plasmid with restriction enzymes and compare their results to what...
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The Cloning of Plasmid and Spinach DNA
Students will first extract genomic DNA from spinach and perform a restriction enzyme digestion on both the spinach DNA and the plasmid using the same restriction enzyme. They then ligate the cut plasmid DNA with the cut spinach DNA in...
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Selecting Soil Organisms in Compost
Students conduct an experiment to demonstrate that many of the enzyme systems needed to break down society's wastes exist in nature among the decomposers in a compost pile. They culture compost bacteria on starch agar to examine the...
Curated OER
Selecting Soil Organisms in Compost
Learners demonstrate that many of the enzyme systems needed to break down--and therefore clean up-society's wastes already exist in nature among the decomposers. They select the best starch-munching organisms by altering the environment...
Curated OER
Cloning of Plasmid and Spinach DNA
Students ligate fragments of genomic DNA from spinach into a vector plasmid. They perform a restriction enzyme digestion. Student use a ligated DNA molecule to transform E. coli cells. Students analyze their procedures and outcome of...
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ISOLATION OF DNA FROM ONION
Young scholars perform a lab in which they extract DNA from onion cells. Students break through the cell and nuclear membranes and then break down the protein that the DNA is wrapped around.
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ECOLOGICAL BIOASSAY OF COPPER SULFATE IN DAPHNIA MAGNA
Students use this lab as a follow up to the introduction of the ecosystems and productivity levels, bioassays and what and how they measure, and Daphnia magna as an index organism, i.e., a species whose health within an ecosystem...
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DNA Blueprint for Life
Students isolate DNA from different food sources. In this biology lesson, students research DNA extraction. They analyze DNA stands collected from the lab, and compare the differences between each.
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Relationships and Biodiversity
Students examine diversity on the planet and the differences within a species. In this investigative lesson students complete a lab that allows students to better understand the relatedness between plants.
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An Introduction to Four Groups of Biologically Important Compounds
High schoolers learn about the four biochemicals that are important biologically. In this biochemicals lesson plan, students identify the four major groups of biochemicals including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. They...
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Milk Glue
Students create glue from milk by curdling milk with an acid. In this protein denaturing lesson plan, students experiment with milk and vinegar to denature the proteins in milk, create curds and whey and use the curds to produce glue by...
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DNA Extraction
In this DNA extraction instructional activity, students learn how to extract DNA from various foods. Students complete 2 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Determination of the Physical Properties of Dietary Fibers
In this dietary fibers worksheet, students compare and contrast the properties of different fibers: cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, guar, agar, and xanthan gum. This worksheet has 5 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Concept Map - Organic Compounds
In this organic compounds, students complete a graphic organizer by placing 36 vocabulary words into their correct places in the concept map.
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The Great Cafeteria Caper
Learners extract DNA from their own hair roots. They run an electrophoresis gel to examine patterns of their DNA along with standard DNA. The experiment is based on a crime scene scenario.
Virginia Department of Education
Physical and Chemical Properties of Water
How can you effectively provide detailed concepts of water properties to your high school class in a way they find exciting and challenging at the same time? By letting them play, of course! Through a variety of experiments, pupils...
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DNA on Stick
Students experience a "hands-on" activity to get visual evidence of the physical nature of DNA and the process of DNA purification. They explore one method of chromosomal DNA isolation and DNA extraction.
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Macro-DNA: Doing DNA Fingerprinting
Students explore gel electrophoresis using paper models. They model DNA sequences and shade the boxes on their Gel Electrophoresis Sheet which represent the individual fragments.
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Sea Urchin Embryology
Students explore the process of evolution. They examine examples of how homeotic genes may work and obtain gametes. Using a microscope, students observe the fertilization of sea urchins. They video tape the process and write a...
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Pesticides and Eggshell Thinning.
Students analyze the calcium content of egg shells as an introduction to the toxic effects of pesticides on biological systems.
Curated OER
It's All About the Roots
Learners investigate the process of hydroponic agriculture. They grow beans in different hydroponic solutions, compare results and graph their observations.