Curated OER
How Is the Genetic Code Ultimately Translated Into a Protein?
High schoolers examine the functions of mRNA, rRNA and tRNA. They explain the steps in the protein synthesis process. They practice using new vocabulary as well.
Curated OER
Onion Skins
Students explore the structure of a plant cell. They carefully peel a single layer of onion skin from a slice of onion and stain it with methylene blue to observe the structures inside. They use a Digiscope connected to a computer to...
Curated OER
Transcription, Translation, and the Genetics of Microbes
Students construct various virus models using Fruit loops and Alphabits to represent nucleotides and molecules. They constructs capsomeres using shoes as the capsomeres and discuss various viruses.
Curated OER
How Do Cells Reproduce?
Students discuss the importance of reproduction of cells. They identify and describe the stages of Mitosis. They discover what happens to chromosomes and DNA during reproduction.
Curated OER
The Meaning of Genetic Variation
Students investigate variation in the beta globin gene by identifying base changes that do and do not alter function, and by using several Internet-based resources to consider the significance in different environments of the base...
Curated OER
Biology: Protein Study
Learners in pairs, select and view proteins from the Protein Data Bank. After downloading the tutorial and instructions, they identify the protein's structures and primary biological functions. Then, students present their findings to...
Virginia Department of Education
The Cell Cycle and Mitosis
What a packed instructional activity! Provide your class with the opportunity to learn about the cell cycle in several exciting ways. Biologists first learn about the theory behind mitosis, then proceed to view onion tips under the...
Virginia Department of Education
Prokaryotes
Lead your biology class on a cell-sized adventure! Emerging scientists construct models of prokaryotes, then design an experiment to properly grow a bacterial culture. They conclude the activity by viewing the culture under a microscope....
Curated OER
Not Just a Bag of Beans
Learners determine the types of natural selection and variation that exists in a population, using beans.
Serendip
The Molecular Biology of Mutations and Muscular Dystrophy
Different types of mutations cause unique types and degrees of muscular dystrophy. Scholars learn about the types of mutations and the impact on the body. They compare the location of the mutations and draw conclusions about how it is...
Serendip
Soap Opera Genetics – Genetics to Resolve Family Arguments
Did she cheat on her husband? Did the hospital switch the babies? Should they have children? As much as this sounds like the plot for a soap opera, all of these questions fit into a single lesson on genetics. Scholars read about three...
Curated OER
Embryology as Evidence of Evolution
Students observe the two major developmental pathways (protostome and deuterostome). They analyze data regarding differences in nucleotide sequences and construct a phylogenetic tree. They observe the similar evolutionary history shared...
Curated OER
Plant Reproduction
Students plant seeds in order to investigate and explore the questions: "How do seed companies develop varieties of plants?" and "What is the ideal plant?" Students will study related vocabulary and sketch seeds as they emerge. Students...
Curated OER
You Gave Me What?
Students see how an infectious disease such as AIDS may be quickly transmitted throughout a population. They conduct a simulated transmission of an infectious disease and mathematically determine the number of possible infected individuals.
Curated OER
Cells
Students explore the cell and cell processes. They create "cytoplasm", make a model of the cell and its organelles, and simulate the osmosis and the diffusion of materials into and out of the cell.
Curated OER
Genetically Modified Organisms
High Schoolers complete a variety of activities as they examine the ethics of (and take a position concerning) genetically modified organisms in the field of agriculture. They complete a PowerPoint demonstration to go along with the unit.
Curated OER
Genetic Testing
Complete a variety of activities to examine the pros and cons and ethical issues behind genetic testing. Your high school students will role play and examine various scenarios to determine if genetic testing is justified.
Curated OER
Cell Types
Fourth graders create cartoon characters which compare and contrast two types of cells: nerve and muscle. Cartoon characters show how these two cells are similar, how they are different, and the relationship between the two cell types.
Curated OER
Teacher Preparation Notes on Genetics
Students explore genetics through various hands-on activities. In this biology lesson, students predict the probability of offspring genotypes and phenotypes using the Punnett Square. They explain the causes of genetic abnormalities.
Curated OER
What Can We Learn From the X Chromosome?
Students read about the X and Y chromosomes in humans and complete a worksheet.
Curated OER
X or Y- Does it Make a Difference?
Students examine the X and Y chromosomes. In this research lesson, students use the 5E lesson model as they read articles about human chromosomes then discuss their findings and opinions.
Curated OER
Temperature and the Tomato
You will need a photovoltaic system and monitor at your school in order to obtain all of the data required to thoroughly implement this instructional activity. Your class monitors daily temperature and insolation amounts over a two week...
Curated OER
Using Amino Acid Sequences to Show Evolutionary Relationships
Junior biologists compare the amino acid sequences from fragments of five different globin molecules. They count the letter differences between each species pair. They construct a graphic representation of the evolutionary relationships...
Curated OER
Plastics by the Numbers
Students investigate plastic resins and their uses. In this plastics lesson plan, students describe major plastic resins and what they are used for, they compare and contrast the properties of plastic resins and they list products that...