Category: Cell Biology

  • Investigation: Water Potential and Carrot Molarity

    Investigation: Water Potential and Carrot Molarity

    Determine the molarity of baby carrots by soaking them overnight in different solutions. The point at which the carrot does not change mass is the molarity.

  • Investigation:  Viewing Stomata in Zebrina Plants

    Investigation: Viewing Stomata in Zebrina Plants

    View the stomata of plants with this simple activity that uses tape and fingernail polish. Great for beginning biology students!

  • Gaucher Disease is a Lysosome Storage Disorder

    Gaucher Disease is a Lysosome Storage Disorder

    This mini-case study explores Gaucher disease, a lysosome storage disorder where cells are unable to clear harmful waste products.

  • Boxing Biomolecules – A Game for Organics

    Boxing Biomolecules – A Game for Organics

    AP Biology students learn the four biological macromolecules by playing a game with boxes which have descriptions on each side.

  • Investigation: Algae Beads and Photosynthesis

    Investigation: Algae Beads and Photosynthesis

    Students use algae beads to observe photosynthesis and respiration. Algae beads are placed in an indicator solutions to measure CO2.

  • Investigation:  Meiosis in Sordaria Fungus

    Investigation: Meiosis in Sordaria Fungus

    Students determine cross-over frequency in sordaria by examining an image. showing how meiosis results in unique combinations.

  • Investigation: Determine Molarity of Unknown Solution

    Investigation: Determine Molarity of Unknown Solution

    Students determine the mass of water beads after soaking them in solutions. They use the change in mass to determine the molarity.

  • Investigation – Cellular Respiration Virtual Lab

    Investigation – Cellular Respiration Virtual Lab

    Students complete a virtual version of the cellular respiration lab by collecting data using a simulation, where variables

  • Modeling Meiosis and Independent Assorting Using Slides

    Modeling Meiosis and Independent Assorting Using Slides

    Meiosis is a difficult topic for beginning biology students. There’s a lot going on in the cell to ensure that each new gamete receives half the DNA of the parent cell. In addition, each new cell is completely unique. This is the result of independent assortment and crossing over. Lessons on meiosis generally involve labeling…

  • Photosynthesis Virtual Lab

    Photosynthesis Virtual Lab

    This lab was created to replace the popular waterweed simulator which no longer functions because it is flash-based. In this virtual photosynthesis lab, students can manipulate the light intensity, light color, and distance from the light source. A plant is shown in a beaker and test tube which bubbles to indicate the rate of photosynthesis.…

  • Investigation: Mitosis

    Investigation: Mitosis

    This mitosis investigation was created during the 2020 pandemic for remote learning. In previous years, biology students would view slides in the lab and analyze data on cancer and mitotic index. This at-home activity only looks at the mitosis of onion cells and I plan to add cancer and mitotic index as a separate activity.…

  • Photosynthesis Label

    Photosynthesis Label

    I designed for remote learning during the 2020 pandemic, though it is based off a similar photosynthesis worksheet that students would complete in class. Remote learning makes it more challenging for students to do labeling exercises since it can be difficult to annotate text without other apps installed. I made this labeling on Google slides…

  • Case Study – Mitosis, Cancer, and the HPV Vaccine

    Case Study – Mitosis, Cancer, and the HPV Vaccine

    Students in my anatomy class get a quick review of the cell and mitosis. This activity on HPV shows how the cell cycle relates to overall health. In fact, many of the chapters in anatomy have anchoring phenomena on diseases and health. For example, cystic fibrosis is a cellular transport problem, but has serious effects…

  • Osmosis Practice with Slides

    Osmosis Practice with Slides

    Practice identifying hypotonic and hypertonic solutions and determining which direction water will flow with these slides. You can assign this activity on Google Classroom, and students can complete the activity on their own or in groups. The activity features 4 slides with cells in various solutions of glucose or glucose + sodium. Next to each…

  • Mitosis Drag & Drop

    Mitosis Drag & Drop

    If you have used the cell cycle label (mitosis) in class, this version will work for assigning on Google Classroom. The image of the cell cycle includes interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase, plus several structures associated with the process. Students can drag the labels to the image on Google slides and then complete a…