Category: Cell Biology
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Investigation: Viewing Stomata in Zebrina Plants
View the stomata of plants with this simple activity that uses tape and fingernail polish. Great for beginning biology students!
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Gaucher Disease is a Lysosome Storage Disorder
This mini-case study explores Gaucher disease, a lysosome storage disorder where cells are unable to clear harmful waste products.
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Boxing Biomolecules – A Game for Organics
AP Biology students learn the four biological macromolecules by playing a game with boxes which have descriptions on each side.
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Investigation: Algae Beads and Photosynthesis
Students use algae beads to observe photosynthesis and respiration. Algae beads are placed in an indicator solutions to measure CO2.
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Investigation: Meiosis in Sordaria Fungus
Students determine cross-over frequency in sordaria by examining an image. showing how meiosis results in unique combinations.
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Investigation: Determine Molarity of Unknown Solution
Students determine the mass of water beads after soaking them in solutions. They use the change in mass to determine the molarity.
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Investigation – Cellular Respiration Virtual Lab
Students complete a virtual version of the cellular respiration lab by collecting data using a simulation, where variables
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Modeling Meiosis and Independent Assorting Using Slides
Meiosis is a difficult topic for beginning biology students. There’s a lot going on in the cell to ensure that each new gamete receives half the DNA of the parent cell. In addition, each new cell is completely unique. This is the result of independent assortment and crossing over. Lessons on meiosis generally involve labeling…
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Photosynthesis Virtual Lab
This lab was created to replace the popular waterweed simulator which no longer functions because it is flash-based. In this virtual photosynthesis lab, students can manipulate the light intensity, light color, and distance from the light source. A plant is shown in a beaker and test tube which bubbles to indicate the rate of photosynthesis.…
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Investigation: Mitosis
This mitosis investigation was created during the 2020 pandemic for remote learning. In previous years, biology students would view slides in the lab and analyze data on cancer and mitotic index. This at-home activity only looks at the mitosis of onion cells and I plan to add cancer and mitotic index as a separate activity.…
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Photosynthesis Label
I designed for remote learning during the 2020 pandemic, though it is based off a similar photosynthesis worksheet that students would complete in class. Remote learning makes it more challenging for students to do labeling exercises since it can be difficult to annotate text without other apps installed. I made this labeling on Google slides…
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Case Study – Mitosis, Cancer, and the HPV Vaccine
Students in my anatomy class get a quick review of the cell and mitosis. This activity on HPV shows how the cell cycle relates to overall health. In fact, many of the chapters in anatomy have anchoring phenomena on diseases and health. For example, cystic fibrosis is a cellular transport problem, but has serious effects…
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Osmosis Practice with Slides
Practice identifying hypotonic and hypertonic solutions and determining which direction water will flow with these slides. You can assign this activity on Google Classroom, and students can complete the activity on their own or in groups. The activity features 4 slides with cells in various solutions of glucose or glucose + sodium. Next to each…
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Mitosis Drag & Drop
If you have used the cell cycle label (mitosis) in class, this version will work for assigning on Google Classroom. The image of the cell cycle includes interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase, plus several structures associated with the process. Students can drag the labels to the image on Google slides and then complete a…
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Virtual Diffusion Lab
The diffusion lab has been a yearly activity in my biology class as part of a unit on cells and cell transport. Students fill a bag with starch and water and then submerge it in a solution of iodine and observe what happens. The iodine diffuses across the plastic bag and turns the starch purple.…