Tag: investigation
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Investigation: The Effect of Salt on a Potato
Students observe how the mass of a potato slice changes when soaked overnight in salt water. The activity is intended to be done as part of a lesson on osmosis and hypertonic and hypotonic solutions. Students will need about 15 minutes to set up their cups, weigh their slices and make predictions about what they…
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Investigation: How Does a Water Strider Stay Afloat?
This lab was modified from the “Penny Lab” to focus more on the properties of water and how surface tension is important for aquatic organisms like the water strider. The instructions were designed for an intro (vocational) biology class that only meets for a semester.
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Microscope Introduction – Basic “e” Lab
This lab is similar to the “e” lab used with freshman biology, but designed for students in the vocational track. It has less reading and more detailed steps for using the microscope as well as a larger font and bigger spacing.
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Investigation: Exploring Cells
While biologists might find the history of the cell theory fascinating, I notice that many of my students seem to tune-out when you bring up the history of scientific discoveries. In order to save time and improve engagement, I created this lab to include a short history of the cell theory as students explore prepared…
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Investigation: How Do Enzymes Work?
This lab is fairly basic, but when given with guided instruction how enzymes catalyze reactions, students can have a hands-on experience into how proteins are related to function.
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Investigation: How Does Exercise Affect Heart Rate
Design and conduct an experiment to measure the effect of exercise on heart rate. Aligned to NGSS standard on feedback mechanisms.
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Urine Luck! – A Urinalysis Simulation
Examine urine samples from patients and suggest a diagnosis and treatment plan based on test results. Simulated urine, can be made with basic materials and models basic tests done on real urine.
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Investigation: Gel Electrophoresis and DNA
This procedural lab is a great compliment for genetic studies where students learn about sex linked genes and mutations. The allele for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is located on the X chromosome and is associated with a deletion mutation for that region.
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Investigation: Two Point Discrimination Test
Students investigate the sensitivity of different areas of the skin using a mathematical compass to stimulate mechanoreceptors. The procedure asks students to place the points of the compass on different areas, such as the forearm and the palm and have a test subject report whether one point is being felt or two points. The compass…
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Review with Whiteboard Panels
In order to review for final exams and to also tie together the semester, I had my students create boards that summarized the labs they did during the semester. I choose 6 labs so that each group of three would be able create a whiteboard panel and do a mini presentation to the rest of…
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Investigation: Enzyme and Substrate Concentrations
Students who complete the Enzyme Investigation lab can further explore enzymes with this lab on how concentrations of the substrate (hydrogen peroxide) and the enzyme ( catalase) can affect the rate of reaction. In the first experiment, students simply made a judgement about the amount of bubbling to indicate reaction speed, though this is a…
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McMush Lab
I designed this investigation for AP biology though it could be modified to work with students in introductory biology classes. First students learn the four macromolecules important to life: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. They can then venture into the lab where they use indicators to test for the presence of these molecules in…