Curated OER
From Restriction Maps to Cladograms
Biology aces analyze restriction maps to determine the relationships among different primate species and then complete a cladogram. Preface this lesson with an explanation of how restriction enzymes are used to create the DNA maps....
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Got Lactase? The Co-Evolution of Genes and Culture
Does the human body evolve as quickly as human culture? With a stellar 15-minute video, explore the trait of lactose intolerance. Only about 1/3 of human adults seem to still have the enzyme lactase and therefore, the ability to digest...
Curated OER
Identifying Disease Genes using BLAST
Students navigate the National Center for Biological Information (NCBI) website and BLAST program to conduct a variety of biological assignments.
Curated OER
Annual Wetland Plant Diversity Survey
High schoolers locate an area of marsh and, by measuring the total number of individual plants in a sample area, determine whether purple loosestrife population density is correlated to the total plant diversity of the community. They...
Curated OER
Who Is It?/Who Done It?
Students conduct an experiment that allows them to assess individual differences in random DNA sequences and apply those differences when solving a forensic problem. After discussing the polymerase chain reaction and its use to identify...
Curated OER
DNA Fingerprinting with Restriction Enzymes
Young scholars will illustrate how restriction enzymes work by piecing together parts of a puzzle. Then they apply this knowledge to help them analyze genetic evidence from the scene of a crime as well as to help them comprehend how a...
Curated OER
Hardy-Weinberg Problems Tutorial
High schoolers are tested on their ability to solve mathematical problems dealing with the Hardy-Weinberg principle. There are 7 basic types of Hardy-Weinberg Problems which are randomly chosen by the program. Students sit at the...
Curated OER
Plant Biotechnology: Controlling Tissue Differentiation
Students demonstrate hormonal control of plant tissue differentiation and relate this differentiation to gene expression. They explore the effects of hormones (auxin and cytokinin) on the genes that control tissue differentiation in callus.
Curated OER
The Adverse Effects of Birth Control on the Female Anatomy
Focus on terminology of the female anatomy and the various functions of each organ with a study on the pros and cons of birth control effects. This lesson plan provides a list of strategies to teach this concept for both female and male...
Nuffield Foundation
Biodiversity in Your Backyard!
Take your enthusiastic ecologists outdoors to explore the biodiversity right in their own schoolyard! In preparing for this activity, it may be worthwhile to research websites with local flora to help in the plant identification portion.
Curated OER
Mussel Ecology
Students are introduced to the marine environment of the mussel. The emphasis of the instructional activity is upon what human factors are present to influence the environment in positive and negative ways. They brainstorm in groups in...
Biology Junction
Population Genetics
Genetic variation shows the health of a population, yet cheetahs show very little variation over that last 10,000 years. Scholars learn the importance of genetic variation in populations after viewing an informative presentation. It...
Rainforest Alliance
My Forest or the Rainforest?
The differences between tropical and temperate rainforests range from animals and flowers to climate and landscapes. Kindergarteners compare and contrast characteristics of their local forest to a tropical rainforest.
Curated OER
From Restriction Maps to Cladograms
Pupils develop a matrix to determine the number of differences between each set of primate species. They determine closely related organisms then complete the cladogram and answer a set of questions.
Curated OER
Plant Biotechnology: Controlling Tissue Differentation
Students demonstrate skills of biotechnology stringent aseptic technique and statistical analysis. They describe hormonal control of plant tissue differentiation and relate this to gene expression. Students observe the effects of...