The Three Levels of Biodiversity

This interactive adapted from Kentucky's Natural Heritage: An Illustrated Guide to Biodiversity, introduces learners to the three levels of biodiversity: genetic, species, and ecosystem.

Think Garden: Plant Families

This video breaks down the scientific classification of living organisms. Learn about the order of classification: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Also get a closer look at some specific plant families to find out which fruits and vegetables are in the same family.

Think Garden: Plant Structure

This video examines plant structure by taking a closer look at the root and shoot systems. Learn about roots, stems, leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruit through engaging illustrations and animations.

The Advantage of Sex

Why did sex evolve? The likely answers, in this essay for the Evolution Web site by science journalist Matt Ridley, may surprise you.

Albino Redwoods: Ghosts of the Forest

Pale ghosts that hide amid their gigantic siblings, only a few dozen albino redwood trees are known to exist. In this video from QUEST produced by KQED, track down these elusive phantoms of the forest.

Albino Redwoods: Ghosts of the Forest Audio

Park rangers in the Santa Cruz Mountains are protecting a decades-old secret: albino redwood trees. In this audio report from QUEST produced by KQED, learn about these so-called "ghost trees."

All in the Family

This video from the series Faces of America details the process of documenting family history and tracing lineage back through maternal and paternal lines.

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All in the Family

In this Evolution Web feature, test your skills at judging who's who on the tree of life while you learn about the tools and methods of cladistics.

Alzheimer's: Is the Cure in the Genes?

An estimated 15 million Americans will suffer from Alzheimer’s by 2050. QUEST visits with researchers at San Francisco’s Gladstone Institutes who have found that a gene may hold the key to a cure for this debilitating affliction.

Alzheimer's Disease

This video segment from the Secret of Life School Video: "Genetic Medicine: Tinkering with Our Genes" explores the potential for gene therapy to cure diseases like Alzheimer's.

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American Chestnut Tree

This annotated slideshow adapted from KET's Electronic Field Trip to the Forest illustrates how blight decimated the American chestnut tree and the methods scientists use to identify and pollinate the remaining trees to create blight-resistant trees.

Animal Babies

This interactive slide show illustrates the variety of animal babies that exist on earth -- some completely independent and others deeply reliant on parental care.

Animal Body Plans: Homeobox Genes

The homeobox genes that define the basic body plan of mice and fruit flies are illustrated in this graphic from The Human Evolution Coloring Book by Adrienne Zihlman. The accompanying article describes how these genes act as "molecular architects" in all animal species.

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Animal Cloning 101

Learn about clones and explore the methods scientists use to create clones in the lab in this interactive activity from the Dolan DNA Learning Center.

Animal Coverings

It takes a thick skin to withstand the hardships that life has to offer. This collection of images shows a variety of animals, each with a slightly different type of protective covering.

Animal Families

How long does a baby elephant stay with her mother? What do you call a baby goat? Young children learn some interesting facts about the lives of baby animals in this original video from KET.

Asexual Reproducers

This video segment explores the benefits and pitfalls of cloning as a means of reproduction. From Evolution: "Why Sex?"

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As the Crow Flies

In this video from Nature researchers from the University of Washington conduct a long-term experiment to see if crows can pass information down from one generation to the next.

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Asthma: What Brought on the Epidemic?

In this video from QUEST produced by KQED, learn about research that is being done into the possible environmental and social culprits of childhood asthma that could one day lead to measures that prevent kids from developing the disease.

Becoming a Mosquito

Join students as they observe mosquitoes in different stages of development and learn about the insect's life cycle in this video from Curious George.

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Bioengineered Foods?

Students compare the processes of selective breeding and transgenic manipulation of plants. They consider the pros and cons of growing genetically modified crops.

Bird Beak Gallery

This collection of images of 10 different birds illustrates the diversity of bird beaks.

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Birth, Growth, and Development

By examining the developmental stages of animals, students learn about the life cycles of living things.

Blood Vessels Help Tumors Grow

In this video segment, adapted from NOVA, Dr. Judah Folkman uses the scientific method to discover how cancer cells induce the formation of new blood vessels, which in turn nourish those cancer cells.

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Bringing Up Birdy

This lesson from Nature uses the eagle to model universal avian life stages.

Bt Corn

This video segment from FRONTLINE/NOVA: "Harvest of Fear" looks at corn that has been genetically modified to resist one insect pest, and the multiple concerns it raises.

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Build a Family Tree

Both sexes can use this interactive feature that lets you use DNA information from the Y chromosome to complete a male family tree. From the NOVA: "Lost Tribes of Israel" Web site.

Can We Slow Aging?

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, scientists discuss a family of genes called FOXO that can significantly extend life span in worms—and in humans.

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Cell Membrane: Just Passing Through

This interactive feature describes some of the most important structures and functions of the cell membrane.

Cell Replication

Students explore the structure and function of cells and mitosis.

Cell Transcription and Translation

In this interactive activity adapted from the University of Nebraska, learn how and where transcription and translation occur within a cell and observe both processes in detail.

Challenges of Incubation

This video segment from Nature examines American Eagles along the Upper Mississippi River and their struggle to protect their eggs from predators as well as from the cold, extreme weather.

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Chasing Beetles, Finding Darwin

In this video from KQED's QUEST, find out how Darwin's ideas remain as central to scientific exploration as when they were first published 150 years ago.

Chromosome Viewer

This interactive feature provides a microscopic view of the 24 Human chromosomes. Each chromosome is labeled with the names of some of the genetic conditions and traits associated with particular regions on that chromosome.

Classical vs. Transgenic Breeding

This video segment from FRONTLINE/NOVA: "Harvest of Fear" explains that genetic engineering and classical breeding both alter the genetic makeup of crop plants.

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The Common Genetic Code

Paul Nurse describes his research that showed that humans share some genes with organisms as different from us as simple brewer's yeast. Footage from Secret of Life: "Immortal Thread."

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Common Past, Different Paths

This time-lapse microphotography of developing embryos shows the common ancestry of all vertebrates. Footage from NOVA: "Odyssey of Life."

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The Costs and Benefits of Treating Gene Defects

In this video excerpt from NOVA, find out how whole genome sequencing saved the life of Alexis, a fraternal twin who was originally diagnosed with cerebral palsy but, in fact, had an even rarer genetic condition.

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Create a DNA Fingerprint

Learn DNA profiling, the technique police use to catch the guilty and free the innocent. From NOVA: "The Killer's Trail" Web site.

Crime Scene Investigation

This video segment from IdahoPTV's D4K explores the tools and forensic science that crime scene investigators use to collect evidence to help solve crimes, and study animals, archaeology and paleontology.

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Dab of DNA Helps Keep Counterfeiters at Bay

Find out in this USA Today article how DNA sequences can vouch for a souvenir's authenticity.

Deadly Letters: The Anthrax Mystery

In this media rich lesson plan from NOVA scienceNOW, student teams investigate a fictional anthrax case by modeling DNA sequencing and tracking down the guilty lab.

Desirable Breeding Traits in Cattle

This video from Nature offers a description of desirable traits in beef and dairy cattle.

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The Developing Child

Students explore the stages of development children experience from birth the age five including brain growth, language development and what shapes their views on right and wrong.

Different Breeds of Cattle

In this video segment from Nature, learn about six different breeds of cattle.

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The Discovery of Penicillin

This video segment adapted from A Science Odyssey tells the story of researcher Sir Alexander Fleming, whose luck and scientific reasoning led to the groundbreaking discovery of penicillin.

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DNA Analysis

Students interpret DNA fingerprints and learn how DNA analysis is changing the way we fight crime and disease.

DNA Detective

In this video from QUEST, learn about the issues of ethics and responsibility that are associated with genetic testing.

DNA Evidence

This audio segment is a National Public Radio story on New York State's DNA profiling of criminals.

DNA Extraction

This interactive activity adapted from the University of Nebraska's Plant and Soil Sciences eLibrary illustrates how DNA, which is normally locked inside of cells, is extracted from living tissue.

DNA Fingerprint Photos

These photographs supplied by Genelex Corporation depict actual DNA fingerprints and show the types of information that can be gleaned from them.

DNA Fingerprints

Students learn how DNA fingerprinting has been used in criminal investigations and discuss the limitations of and problems with DNA testing.

DNA Libraries

This interactive resource adapted from the Dolan DNA Learning Center explores the different types of DNA libraries used to store and access genetic information.

DNA Makes History

Read how DNA was used to solve the mystery of the Romanov family's execution. From Human Genetics: Concepts and Applications by Ricki Lewis.

DNA on the Witness Stand

In this article, Dr. Eric Lander of the Human Genome Project comments on the use of DNA as an identification tool -- the theoretical versus the practical results.

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DNA Separation Lab in the Classroom and in Real-World Research

This video produced by WGBH features students in the Amgen-Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Lab Program preparing a recombinant DNA molecule, and examines how this work relates to the way real-life scientists approach similar work.

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DNA Sequencing

This interactive activity adapted from the Dolan DNA Learning Center looks at two techniques used to sequence DNA: the Sanger method and an automated process based on the Sanger method.

DNA Workshop

How does DNA perform those all-important functions of replication and protein synthesis? This interactive feature from the A Science Odyssey Web site will help you explore and understand the secrets of DNA.

Dolphin Reproductive Behavior

This video segment from the Science and Technology Chat series focuses on dolphin pregnancy, birth, and care of the young, and features Atlantic bottlenose dolphins living in captivity at the Mirage Resort Dolphin Habitat.

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Double Immunity

Dr. Stephen O'Brien of the National Cancer Institute discovers a 700-year-old mutation that makes a person resistant to HIV infection. From Evolution: "Evolutionary Arms Race."

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Electrophoresis and Gel Analysis

In this animation produced by WGBH and Digizyme, Inc., see how molecules of DNA are separated using gel electrophoresis, and how this process enables scientists to compare the molecular variations of two or more DNA samples.

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Eluting Red Fluorescent Protein From the Column

This video produced by WGBH demonstrates how to properly elute a red fluorescent protein after it has been bound in a chromatography column.

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Embryo to Duckling

This video segment from NOVA: "The Shape of Things" follows the growth of a duck embryo, from a single fertilized egg cell to a complex, hatching duckling.

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Endocrine Disruptor Hypothesis

Scientists discuss whether or not endocrine disrupting chemicals, which may cause birth defects and other health concerns, should be controlled in the absence of conclusive proof, in this video segment adapted from FRONTLINE: "Fooling with Nature."

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Engineer a Crop: Transgenic Manipulation

You're the geneticist now. In this interactive feature from the NOVA/FRONTLINE "Harvest of Fear" Web site, use the latest in genetic technology to engineer your own "supercrop" of tomatoes.

Epigenetics

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn how what you eat, drink, or smoke may affect the instructions your epigenomes send to your genes, and as a result, change how your DNA is expressed.

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Ethanol Biofuel

In this video segment adapted from NOVA, learn about one scientist's idea for using biotechnology to make ethanol a more efficient alternative to gasoline.

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The Ethical Considerations of Personal Genomics

In this media-rich lesson, students explore some of the ethical, legal, and social issues related to personal genetic testing and genome sequencing.

Ethical Issues in the Human Genome Project

Students work in teams to analyze a case study that raises arguments for and against patenting genetic code. They explore the implications of DNA databases, genetic screening and gene modification.

The Ethics of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

In this video excerpt from NOVA, learn about the advantages, disadvantages, and ethical implications of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD, a technique used to screen embryos created through in vitro fertilization for diseases.

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Look At Me Now

Children go through countless physical changes during the first year of their life. Look At Me Now, an original KET interactive, depicts a year in the life of a baby through photos, and highlights the changes we experience while growing.

Explore a Stretch of Code

Try your hand at reading a segment of genetic code in this interactive feature from the NOVA "Cracking the Code of Life" Web site.

Exploring Plants

In this media-rich lesson, students observe plant growth by watching a time-lapse video and by growing their own seeds. They identify the conditions seeds need to germinate and consider the role that fruits play in seed dispersal.

The Expression of Genetic Information

In this media-rich lesson, students explore the preservation and expression of genetic information within the cell. They analyze a short DNA sequence, translate an RNA sequence, and relate a sequence difference to a particular trait.

Extracting Mummy DNA

This video segment adapted from NOVA explains how a DNA sample is taken from a 5,000-year-old mummy and what we can learn from it.

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A Family Disease

This video segment from NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" explores the implications of genetic testing for breast cancer.

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Finding Cures Is Hard

This video segment from NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" explains the difficulty of curing genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

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Finding Disease Genes

This video segment from NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" explains the process of finding genes that cause disease.

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Fledglings

Witness eaglets begin to fly in this video segment from Nature.

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Floral Arrangements

Explore a few of the ways plants pollinate each other in this video segment from Sexual Encounters of a Floral Kind.

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Forensic DNA Analysis

This video segment from NOVA: "The Killer's Trail" investigates the potential for DNA evidence to solve murder cases, even those from the distant past.

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Forensics

Find out how DNA profilers analyze bits of tissue to identify human remains. From NOVA: "Lost on Everest" Web site.

Freak-Genomics

In this lesson students will enter the world of the genome, learning about human history and evolution by using video segments from The Human Spark.

Frenetic Genetics

Students learn about the types of genetic information contained in the human genome – physical traits, behaviors, and propensity for diseases, in this video from Faces of America.

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From the Cystic Fibrosis Gene to a Drug

In this video excerpt from NOVA, find out how the discovery of a gene defect has led to the development of a new drug to treat patients with cystic fibrosis.

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From DNA to Protein

This narrated animation schematically shows the process of protein synthesis. Adapted from Interactive NOVA: "Secret of Life."

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From Seed to Flower

Watching plants grow is like watching paint dry: It happens so slowly that the changes are imperceptible from one moment to the next -- and yet the end results are dramatic. This video segment shows just how amazing plant development can be by depicting various phases of the process using time-lapse photography. Footage from NOVA: "The Shape of Things."

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From Seed to Fruit

Children get a glimpse of what happens underground in the life of a cherry tomato plant in this original animated video from KET.

From Seed to Fruit Interactive

Children get a glimpse of what happens underground in the life of a cherry tomato plant in this original animated video from KET.

Gallery of Visual Illusions

Are your eyes playing tricks on you? Discover more about eyesight and the brain as you test your eyes with these visual illusions adapted from the University of Washington's Neuroscience for Kids Web site.

Gel Electrophoresis

This interactive activity from the Dolan DNA Learning Center illustrates the process of gel electrophoresis, in which DNA fragments are separated by size as they migrate at different rates through a gel matrix.

Gene Cloning

This interactive activity adapted from the University of Nebraska's Library of Crop Technologies details the steps involved in producing clones of genes that can then be used to transform the characteristics of an organism.

Gene Control

The development of creatures that appear to have nothing in common is directed by a surprisingly small number of genes. In this video segment, learn about the power of master control genes. Footage from The Secret of Life: "Birth, Sex & Death."

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Gene Inheritance

Students explore the process of meiosis and how genes, including those that cause disease, are passed from one generation to the next.

Genetically Engineering the Avian Flu

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn about a radical biotechnology experiment aimed at figuring out how to stop the avian flu virus.

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Genetic Art

Take a peek at the artistic side of science in this virtual exhibit, featuring work by Eva Sutton, Alexis Rockman and Sidney Harris.

Genetic Drift and the Founder Effect

This image of polydactyly illustrates one symptom of Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, which is commonly found in the Amish. Ellis-van Creveld is one example of the founder effect and genetic drift.

Genetic Engineering and Working with DNA

In this animation produced by WGBH and Digizyme, Inc., see how bacterial plasmids are engineered to clone or express genes that code for proteins such as human insulin.

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Geneticist Pardis Sabeti

In this video profile adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn about geneticist and rock musician Pardis Sabeti, whose innovative insights into natural selection demonstrated how beneficial mutations spread quickly through a population.

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Genetic Modification

This video segment from NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" looks at the potential created by understanding the human genome.

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