An introduction to what cancer is and how it is the by-product of broken DNA replication.
How capillary action and the meniscus are related to intermolecular forces in water.
Introduction to carbon 14 and using it to date fossils.
Introduction to carbon as a building block of life.
In this video adapted from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, learn about carnivorous plants that act as both producers and consumers in an ecosystem. See sundews and blatterworts capture and digest insects.
This video covers the origins and functions of cartilage and collagen.
After exploring the “Case of the Disappearing Log,” students will probably never look at a log the same way again. In this activity, students assume the roles of detectives faced with a nature mystery. First, they explore a decomposing log and look for evidence of how the log is changing. They make possible explanations for what might be causing log to disappear. Students then learn about common “suspects”—organisms that decompose wood—and the signature evidence they each leave behind. Students use a Disappearing Log Key to identify which organisms might have left behind which evidence, and use this information to make explanations about what has happened to the log since it was a tree. Finally, students learn that the log isn’t really disappearing, it’s turning into the invisible gases that are part of the cycling of matter in all ecosystems.
In this lesson, the students look at the components of cells and their functions. The lesson focuses on the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Each part of the cell performs a specific function that is vital for the cell's survival. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that are very important to engineers. Engineers can use bacteria to break down toxic materials in a process called bioremediation, and they can also kill or disable harmful bacteria through disinfection.
Students color-code a schematic of a cell and its cell membrane structures. Then they complete the "Build-a-Membrane" activity found at http://learn.genetics.utah.edu. This reinforces their understanding of the structure and function of animal cells, and shows them the importance of being able to construct a tangible model of something that is otherwise difficult to see.
Students learn about the different structures that comprise cell membranes, fulfilling part of the Research and Revise stages of the legacy cycle. They view online animations of cell membrane dynamics (links provided). Then they observe three teacher demonstrations that illustrate diffusion and osmosis concepts, as well as the effect of movement through a semi-permeable membrane using Lugol's solution.
Overview of various cell cycle controls.
Learn about how phospholipids form the cell membrane, and what types of molecules can passively diffuse thorugh the membrane. By William Tsai. . Created by William Tsai.
Learn about the major components that make up our cell membrane and the fluid mosaic model. By William Tsai.
Learn about the different types of proteins that exist on the cell membrane. By William Tsai.
In this unit, students look at the components of cells and their functions and discover the controversy behind stem cell research. The first lesson focuses on the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In the second lesson, students learn about the basics of cellular respiration. They also learn about the application of cellular respiration to engineering and bioremediation. The third lesson continues students' education on cells in the human body and how (and why) engineers are involved in the research of stem cell behavior.
Yeast can reproduce sexually through a signaling pathway known as the mating factor pathway. In this process, two haploid yeast cells combine to form a diploid cell. Yeast cells secrete a signal molecule called mating factor that attracts them to their mates. Once the mating factor of one yeast binds to the receptor on another yeast, an outgrowth called a "shmoo" forms, which allows the yeast cells to fuse together.
Thinking about the limiting factors of cell size. Focus on volume to surface area ratio.
Introduction to cell theory. Roles of Hooke, Leeuwenhoek and others in its development.
In this lesson, students learn about the basics of cellular respiration. They also learn about the application of cellular respiration to engineering and bioremediation. And, students are introduced to the process of bioremediation and several examples of how bioremediation is used during the cleanup of environmental contaminants.
Overview of Cellular Communication.