Category: Cell Biology
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How Does Photosynthesis Work?
This handout can be used with a lecture on photosynthesis, where students label the main features of the light-dependent reaction and the Calvin cycle.
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Investigation: Observing Diffusion & Semi-Permeable Membranes
Units on the cell will also include lessons about how the cell transports materials across the membrane. For beginning biology students who don’t have a strong foundation in physical science, the ideas of entropy, solutions, and concentrations can be overwhelming. Diffusion is easy to explain with a perfume bottle or food coloring. …
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Toxicology Resources for the Biology Class
Resources for investigating how poison affects animal physiology. Students can read the “Poisoner’s Handbook” and perform experiments on worms.
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Case Study: John Snow and the Origin of Epidemiology
This case study explores a time before the Germ Theory when doctors were uncertain how disease was spread. Current models, such as the humoral or miasma model could not fully explain how cholera infected some households, but not others. This case story explores London, England in 1854 after an outbreak of cholera which had…
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Investigation: Cellular Respiration
Students set up respirometers to measure the oxygen consumption of germinating peas in cold and warm water, and compared to a living organism.
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Case Study – Are Nanobacteria Alive?
In this case study, students review the evidence of scientists on both sides of the controversy questioning whether nanobacteria are living organisms.
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Investigation: Osmosis and Water Potential
Students models osmosis using dialysis tubes that contain different concentrations of sucrose. The tubes will gain water dependent upon the molarity of solution they are placed in. You can make sucrose solutions with table sugar, and instructions are included in the teacher’s guide to the lab. The second part of the investigation determine the…
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Investigation: Photosynthesis and Leaf Discs
As photosynthesis takes place, oxygen is released and causes the leaf to float. The number of floating disk is a measure of the rate of photosynthesis.
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Investigation: Enzymes Activity with Catalase
Have you ever noticed that when you pour hydrogen peroxide on a wound, it bubbles? The reason is that bacteria and your own tissue contains an enzyme that breaks down the peroxide. Peroxide splits into a molecule of water and a molecule of oxygen, which causes the bubbles. In a series of tests, students observe…
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Case Study: How Do Bacteria Become Resistant?
Students analyze data regarding methicillin and penicillin resistant bacteria, focusing how hospitals inadvertently drive the evolution of resistant strains. Each section of the case explores an aspect of dealing with bacteria, including sanitation, analyzing agar plates uses the Kirby-Bauer disk method and concludes with students suggesting plans for reducing the incidence of MRSA in hospitals. With…
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Investigation: What Are the Different Types of Cells?
Students look at cells from different domains and kingdoms; compare the size of cells and how their structure and shape differ depending on their function.
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Case Study – Chicago Cyanide Murders
Students investigate how cyanide interferes with the mitochondria and the role of oxygen in cellular respiration; based on an historical event.
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Label the Parts of the Plant and Animal Cell
Label a diagram of an animal cell and a plant cell; a diagram showing how proteins are produced by ribosomes, and finally packaged by the golgi apparatus.
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Color a Plant Cell and Identify Functions
Students learn the structures found in a plant cell by coloring them according to directions.
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Color a Typical Animal Cell
This worksheet requires students to color a drawing of animal cell according to directions, intended as practice or reinforcement for a unit on cell biology.