California Academy of Science
Color Vision Genetics Evolution Simulation
At one point, all mammals carried only two color receptors, but now most humans carry three. An informative presentation and hands-on activity demonstrate how this evolved through genetics. By participating in the activity, pupils...
Curated OER
What Does Your "Homunculus" Look Like?
Students investigate the density of touch receptors in various parts of the body. They discover how the body senses various stimuli, then maps a picture of the "homunculus" of the experimental subject.
Curated OER
The Drug Connection: Design-O-Synapse
Students study cholinergic neuromuscular pathway of acetylcholine release and develop a model for drug interaction at one specific neurological site. Working in teams, students can also research different drugs or poisons and produce a...
Baylor College
Neurotransmitters Contain Chemicals
Human body systems students play a card game, "Locks & Keys" in order to learn that neurotransmitters carry a message from one neuron to another by fitting into a receptor site on the receiving nerve cell. While this activity can...
University of Minnesota
Neurotransmission Model
Don't lose your marbles — you'll need them for a activity on neurotransmission. Young scholars build a neurotransmission model using marbles, beads, rubber bands, string, and other elements. After studying specific neurotransmitters,...
Curated OER
The Brain’s Inner Workings
Do you want to learn about how you learn? Help pupils become the best learners they can be by teaching them how their brain works. The resources available include videos about brain structure and a study guide full of activities that...
Gallantsbiocorner.com
Cell Organelles
Young scientists take a trip into the microscopic world of cellular biology with this practice exercise. Given pictures of different organelles, learners must correctly identify specific parts of each cellular structure to demonstrate...
Curated OER
Obesity
High schoolers examine how hormones affect different tissues. In groups, they make their own hormone-receptor model and identify the characteristics of tissues that respond to the different hormones. To end the instructional activity,...
Biology Junction
Cnidarians and Ctenophorans
Cnidaria is a broad phylum of 11,000 different species from jellyfish to coral. Most Cnidarians are marine species with a few freshwater examples. A lesson presentation explains the important characteristics of different species of both...
Curated OER
Endocrine Excitement!
Students are divided into a group of hormones and a group of receptors. The hormones have to find their matching receptors, and the pair, once matched, perform a given action. This activity helps students examine the specificity of...
Curated OER
What Sticks Can Make You Sick
High schoolers study adhesins and their receptors. In this science inquiry lesson plan students experiment to find adherence and use agglutination to identify adhesins.
Curated OER
What Does Your "Homunculus" Look Like?
Students determine the density of touch receptors in various parts of the body on the right hand side. They use collected data to draw a picture of the
"homunculus" of an experimental subject.
Curated OER
Body Image
Students read and answer questions on neural processing and the Pinocchio Illusion. They relate and discuss these topics in conjunction with body-image disorders such as anorexia and bulimia . This lesson include video extension activities.
University of Minnesota
Mirroring Emotions
Do you ever give your class the "teacher look"? Without saying a word, they become silent and engaged (hopefully). How do they know what you're thinking? Explore the concept of nonverbal communication and how it relates to our mirror...
Exploratorium
Your Sense of Taste
A simple and sweet activity shows students how important smell is in interpreting flavor. Pairs of pupils hold their noses and eat Life Savers®, only to find that they can't identify the flavors until they let go. You will appreciate...
University of Minnesota
Homeostasis of Thermoregulation
Whether you're battling the flu or trying to warm up on a chilly day, your body's ability to react to temperature change is fascinating! Anatomy scholars discover the fantastic feedback loops that control body temperature in a rigorous...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
DNA Responds to Signals from Outside the Cell
How do cells know when to replicate, transcribe, and stop? James E. Darnell, Jr. shifted from studying medicine to biochemistry and decided to address this mystery. Learn about his research, discoveries, and the impact on future medical...
University of Minnesota
Virtual Neurons
It's electric! Young anatomists use Virtual Neurons software to build, control, and analyze complex nerve circuits within the body. Colorful and packed with content, class members enjoy interacting with the nervous system at a personal...
University of Minnesota
What's the Deal? Addiction Card Game
Addiction is a big deal! Playing a game of cards helps learners understand the concept of addiction. Through their analysis, they examine the potential for addiction and how it varies for each individual.
Curated OER
Modeling the Cell Membrane
In this membrane permeability activity, students read introductory information about the cell membrane structure as it pertains to permeabillity and draw a representation of the membrane as they complete a lab. Students record the...
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
What's Covering You? and Why?
Students take a closer look at human skin. In this biology lesson plan, students describe the four functions of the skin as they complete a hands-on activity.
Curated OER
Endocrine System Study Question Worksheet
In this endocrine system worksheet, young scholars define 8 words associated with this human system. They answer 11 short answer questions about the structure and function of the organs and hormones that make up the endocrine system.
Curated OER
Nicotine Why is it so hard to quit smoking?
Students interview both smokers and nonsmokers to get their point of view on the topic. They prepare bar graphs based on the data accumulated by the class during the interviews.