Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free
Dendritic Spines Lab Lesson PlanDendritic Spines Lab Lesson Plan
Publisher
University of Minnesota
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
9th - 12th
Subjects
Science
3 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
2 days
Instructional Strategies
Collaborative Learning
4 more...
Technology
Projection
Presentation
Internet Access
Year
2016
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Lesson Plan

Dendritic Spines Lab

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Dendritic Spines Lab lesson plan also includes:
  • Pictures 1A–2B
  • Untreated Control Example
  • Morphine Example
  • Join to access all included materials

This is your brain on drugs ... literally! Your neuroscientists-in-training examine the evidence of drug use on the human brain and how neurons change their connectivity when altered by drugs. They then work together to create testing methods and form hypotheses. The lab guide includes an easy-to-follow structure and all printable materials.

16 Views 14 Downloads

Concepts

neurons, conducting investigations, scientific research, the scientific method, drugs, the brain, synapse

Additional Tags

science

Instructional Ideas

  • Copy images of dendrites with as much detail as possible; consider laminating the images to make them durable and reusable
  • Assign pre-lab research on morphine and related drugs to provide a clearer picture of the chemistry involved

Classroom Considerations

  • Conduct a review of neurons and synaptic activity to ensure success within your lab groups
 

Pros

  • The subject matter is engaging and relevant to a highly publicized topic
  • The lab includes all the materials required to execute a successful thought experiment

Cons

  • The links provided in the Extensions section do not work

View 68,484 other resources for 9th - 12th Grade Science

© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use