Curated OER
Slimy cells
Students study the parts of a cell. In this chemistry lesson students complete an activity in which they make as much slime as they want.
Curated OER
Plant And Animal Cells
Students identify parts of plant and animal cells and describe the functions of each part. They distinguish between plant and animal cells. After a lecture/demo, students perform experiments which help them construct models of plant and...
Curated OER
Biology: Make a Model Cell
Students compare and contrast plant and animal cells and then create a model of the latter. They visit Websites to view the cells and answer questions about them. In pairs, students create cell models using plastic baggies, syrup,...
Curated OER
Staying Young with Vitamin E
Investigate how Vitamin E is used to prevent cell aging. Young scientists coat the surface of apples and bananas with oil, Vitamin E, and water. They place each in a petri dish and cover them to observe oxidation over time. They answer 8...
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
The Plasma Membrane
In this plasma membrane worksheet, students will explore how cells are able to maintain homeostasis and the function of the plasma membrane. This worksheet has 6 fill in the blank and 7 true or false questions.
Curated OER
Cell physiology and chemistry
Students design an experiment to discriminate between chemical diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion and active transport through a membrane. Be specific about predictions and interpretations!
Curated OER
Fighting Infection
Middle schoolers study immune responses and the structures that are related to immune cells functions. For this fighting infection lesson students construct antibody complexes and model the interaction of the immune system when it is...
Curated OER
Schools and Cells
Fourth graders create analogies in poster format between a cell's organelles and their school. For example, 4th graders coul say a cell's mitochondria is like the cafeteria, both are a source of energy.
Curated OER
How Genes Work Lesson Plan
High schoolers define the key terms that are the structure and function of DNA. In this genetics lesson plan students complete a lab activity in which they construct a model DNA structure.
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
Hearing and Sound
Students construct a model of the ear to learn the parts of the ear. In this ear lesson plan, students build a model and use a poster to determine the structures and functions of each structure in the ear.
Curated OER
DNA Extraction
Students are able to extract and observe a visible amount of DNA from Escherichia coli cells. They discuss the properties of DNA. Students confirm the presence of DNA by a reaction with an indicator.
Curated OER
Molecular Recognition and the Immune Response
Students explore the importance of molecular shape and charge in molecular-recognition. They examine the interaction between antigens and antibodies. Students design and build 3-D visual models to represent molecular-recognition...
Curated OER
Surface to Volume Ratios
High schoolers measure the rate of diffusion and to calculate the surface area to volume ratios of varying cell sizes. The lesson is very clearly organized with a useful student worksheet provided. They perform a lab experiment which is...
Curated OER
Teaching Multiple Alleles
Students view a simple ABO blood system for the introduction of this subject using concrete models of eythrocytes (red blood cells, or RBC's), antigens, and antibodies. They can physically see the antigens that result from certain...
Curated OER
DNA Extraction
Students extract and observe a visible amount of DNA from Escherichia. coli cells. They discuss the properties of DNA. Confirmation of the presence of DNA by a reaction with an indicator is confirmed within this lesson. Many hands-on...
Curated OER
Chromosome Karyotyping
High schoolers explore chromosome karyotyping. In this chromosome karyotyping lesson plan, students use a chromosome kit to explore chromosome syndromes and disorders. They also produce a large model of a cell with chromosome to simulate...
LABScI
Circulation and Respiration: Vital Signs
What do your vital signs tell your doctor? An engaging hands-on lesson has your learners monitor their own lung capacity, blood pressure, and heart rate. They then connect the vital measures to the workings of the circulatory and...
Curated OER
Multiple Alleles
Students observe models of the ABO blood system including erythrocytes, antigens, and antibodies. They investigate the antigens that result from certain allele combinations and move antibodies to determine whether agglutination occurs...
Curated OER
Extraction of DNA from White Onion
Students conduct lab test with minced onion to determine where chromosonal DNA is located within the cell, and whether or not it can be extracted.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Virus Explorer
Most pupils know about the flu, HIV, and other viruses, but they don't know what each actually looks like. This interactive shows their relative size, structure, and allows for comparisons. It stresses the similarities and differences...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Silver and Bandages: Assessment of Inhibition of Bacteria by Silver Colloid-Impregnated Bandages
Silver: more than jewelry, it's also a natural antimicrobial agent. An inquiry-based lesson asks collaborative groups to design and implement an experiment to test this property. Using samples of silver nanoparticles and a strain of...
Curated OER
DNA Extraction
Learners participate in a lab activity in which they extract DNA from a strawberry. After mashing the strawberry into an even, smooth puree inside a bag, they add extraction buffer and mix the strawberry with the buffer. They filter...