Tag: homeostasis
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A Chilling Case Study – Raining Iguanas
Engage your students with a real-world, biology-based phenomenon: Florida’s “raining iguanas.” During sudden cold snaps, iguanas lose muscle control and fall from trees, providing a dramatic example of ectothermy, torpor, and homeostasis. This case study combines observation, data interpretation, and critical thinking to help students connect behavior, physiology, and environmental influences. Students can complete this…
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Case Study – A Brush with Oleander
When teaching about the fascinating and sometimes dangerous world of plants, there’s nothing quite as engaging as a real-world case study. Explore the case of deadly white oleander, when a landscaper accidentally poisons herself. This case study offers a multidisciplinary approach for teachers looking to enrich a biology unit on plant physiology. Learners also explore…
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Characteristics of Life
Students read descriptions of animals and match to one of the characteristics of life: energy, cells, DNA, growth, response, and homeostasis.
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How do Mammals Maintain Their Temperature (CER)
Students examine graphs and images to develop an understanding of how mammals maintain their body temperatures compared to ectothermic animals.
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Case Study – Tibetans and Altitude (Remote)
This case study is a remote alternative to “How Do Tibetans Survive High Altitudes.” The remove version is shorter and does not require as much guidance by the instructor. I created this version with Google slides, so students can type their answers directly onto the slide. I made remote versions of several activities because I…
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Investigation: How Does Exercise Affect Heart Rate
Design and conduct an experiment to measure the effect of exercise on heart rate. Aligned to NGSS standard on feedback mechanisms.
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Feedback Loops: Insulin and Glucagon
The Next Generation Science Standards includes feedback loops and homeostasis as a standard for life science. While homeostasis is a theme for many units in biology, feedback mechanisms are fairly specific. In fact, this is probably the most oddly specific topic found in NGSS. If you are trying to include it, most younger students…
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Investigation: How Does Temperature Affect Respiration Rates
This lab is focused on fish and the metabolism of ectothermic (warm-blooded) animals. The investigation also be useful for beginning students in reinforcing good lab procedures and graphing. I’m always surprised by how many students have difficulty reading thermometers and setting up a water bath. This lab has been redesigned to make it simple and quick.…