Search results for: “microscope”

  • 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…

  • 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.…

  • Bone Tissue (Guided)

    Bone Tissue (Guided)

    Students learn about bone tissue by progressing through slides with images and explanations. Students perform tasks, such as labeling or answering questions.

  • Cell Cycle Label

    Cell Cycle Label

    This worksheet was created for freshman level biology and is a simpler version of a worksheet I use in the advanced classes showing the cell cycle. The image shows a cell in interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Students label each phase and then identify structures within the cell that are important for cell division,…

  • The Tardigrade Project

    The Tardigrade Project

    This project was created for AP Biology students where they scrape lichens from trees near campus and filter them over night so that tardigrades and other microorganisms can be collected from the water.

  • Using Anchoring Phenomenon with Lessons

    Using Anchoring Phenomenon with Lessons

    Start lessons on osmosis with an activity and anchoring phenomenon. View cells exposed to salt and observe how they change!

  • Cell Cycle Labeling

    Cell Cycle Labeling

    Students label the image of a cell undergoing mitosis and answer questions about the cell cycle. 

  • Comparing the Ameba to the Paramecium

    Comparing the Ameba to the Paramecium

    With the adoption of NGSS, I’ve had to make cuts to some of the lessons that biology classes of the past enjoyed. I was sad to see it go, but we no longer do a unit on the Kingdom Protista, but I still manage to fit a microscope lab into other sections.

  • Claim, Evidence, Reasoning  (CER) Science Topics

    Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) Science Topics

    A list of topics and articles for students to use to practice claim, evidence, and reasoning.

  • Investigation: Comparing Plant and Animal Cells

    Investigation: Comparing Plant and Animal Cells

     This simple investigation asks students to view cells under the microscope and compare differences between plant and animal cells.   Students are instructed in the procedure for removing the epithelial cells of an onion and staining with iodine.  These cells are fairly easy to see and most beginning students will have no trouble locating the…

  • Bone Matrix Anatomy (Coloring)

    Bone Matrix Anatomy (Coloring)

    Anatomy students learn about the skeletal system, where they examine bones and how the bones fit together to make up an entire skeleton.   In addition, some course also explore bone tissue and how bone is formed, repaired, and even broken down to release minerals.   The bone matrix is composed of cells called osteocytes…

  • Investigation: What Organisms Are Found in Ponds?

    Investigation: What Organisms Are Found in Ponds?

    Does your community have ponds, streams, or lakes?  Students enjoy working with real biology, and though it may not be possible to take students to a lake, you can bring the lake to the student.   This open-ended activity gives students the opportunity to explore pond water and compare the types of species found in…

  • Investigation:  Bacteria

    Investigation: Bacteria

    This investigation asks students to take samples from the school and grow bacteria on agar plates.  Students learn to use sterile technique to transfer and stain the bacteria and view under a microscope.   Lab guide includes instructions for how to analyze and compare colonies and identify the three shapes of bacteria:  bacillus, cocci, and…

  • Investigation: What Factors Affect the Heart Rate of Daphnia

    Investigation: What Factors Affect the Heart Rate of Daphnia

    This investigation starts with a guided procedure where students gather data on the heart rate of daphnia when the organism is exposed to 1% ethanol.  Daphnia are tiny crustaceans that are visible with the naked eye, though a microscope or stereoscope will be needed to see their heart rate.

  • Investigation: What Are the Different Types of Cells?

    Investigation: What Are the Different Types of Cells?

    Students look at cells from different domains and kingdoms; compare the size of cells and how their structure and shape differ depending on their function.