Life Science

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RESOURCE GRADE LEVEL MEDIA TYPE
All Systems Are Go

All Systems Are Go

Test your knowledge of the digestive, respiratory, and other human body systems in this interactive game from Kinetic City. Race the clock to put Arnold's organs back into his body one system at a time. OER Level

5-8

Interactive

Animal Body Plans: Homeobox Genes

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. OER Level

9-12

Document

Bowhead Whaling and Its Impact

Bowhead Whaling and Its Impact

This interactive activity, adapted from material provided by the ECHO partners, explores the history of whaling in the Arctic and introduces a landmark study of whale populations. OER Level

6-9

Interactive

Build-a-Fish

Build-a-Fish

In this interactive activity from Shedd Aquarium, build a fish and then release it into the reef to search for food and evade predators. Try different combinations and observe how each kind of fish has unique adaptations that help it survive in its habitat. OER Level

6-8

Interactive

Convergence: Marsupials and Placentals

Convergence: Marsupials and Placentals

This graphic illustrates some of the marsupial mammals in Australia and placental mammals in North America. Even though they are not closely related, these mammals look alike because they have adapted to similar ecological roles. From The Human Evolution Coloring Book by by Adrienne Zihlman. OER Level

9-12

Document

Dengue Virus Invades a Cell

Dengue Virus Invades a Cell

In this visualization adapted from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, discover the role that dengue viral proteins play in a human cell as the virus prepares to replicate. OER Level

9-12

Video

Exploring Environmental Change

Exploring Environmental Change

Students explore the connections that can exist in a natural environment, and examine how changes to the environment, particularly those caused by human activity, can affect those connections.

6-9

Lesson Plan

Frozen Frogs

Frozen Frogs

This video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW shows how the common wood frog freezes solid every winter, an adaptation that allows the organism to survive the cold winter. OER Level

6-12

Video

Gel Electrophoresis

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. OER Level

6-12

Interactive

Genetic Art

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. OER Level

9-12

Document

The Science Behind Appetite

The Science Behind Appetite

This video segment, adapted from NOVA, tells the story of a ballerina battling anorexia. It explains how serotonin regulates appetite, and presents some of the health risks that accompany the eating disorder. OER Level

5-12

Video

How Do Cells Make Proteins?

How Do Cells Make Proteins?

In this interactive activity from the Exploratorium, explore the steps of protein synthesis in which the cells use genes to make proteins for critical body functions. OER Level

7-10

Interactive

Human Chromosome 2

Human Chromosome 2

In this video segment adapted from NOVA: "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial," learn how modern genetics and molecular biology offer compelling support for evolution. The video features an interview with biologist Ken Miller. OER Level

6-12

Video

Iñupiaq Whale Hunt

Iñupiaq Whale Hunt

This video, adapted from material provided by the ECHO partners, provides a portrait of Iñupiaq whaling as a community activity, as told through the story of one hunt. OER Level

6-9

Video

Life of a Tree

Life of a Tree

In this interactive activity adapted from the National Arbor Day Foundation, take a sixty-two-year journey observing the inner layers, rings, and environmental factors that affect a tree's growth and life cycle. OER Level

6-12

Interactive

Life Stages Cards

Life Stages Cards

All animals develop and grow over time. The animals in this document undergo one of the most dramatic developmental processes known: metamorphosis. See if you can place the developmental stages in their proper order. OER Level

K-5

Document

Living on the Coast

Living on the Coast

This video, adapted from material provided by the ECHO partners, illuminates how living on the coast affects individuals and communities, particularly humans' interrelationships with natural resources. OER Level

6-9

Video

Mendel's Laws of Genetic Inheritance

Mendel's Laws of Genetic Inheritance

This interactive activity, adapted from the Dolan DNA Learning Center, uses Punnett squares to illustrate Mendel's laws of inheritance and how a particular gene combination results in a 3-to-1 ratio of dominant-to-recessive traits. OER Level

6-12

Interactive

Model Organisms

Model Organisms

This interactive activity from the Dolan DNA Learning Center shows the different types of model organisms used in research and why each might be selected when performing an experiment. OER Level

9-12

Interactive

Molecular Clocks: Proteins That Evolve at Different Rates

Molecular Clocks: Proteins That Evolve at Different Rates

From The Human Evolution Coloring Book by Adrienne Zihlman, four different proteins from humans and horses are compared in this graphic and article, and the reasons each protein evolves at its own characteristic rate are discussed. Each protein is useful for measuring evolutionary change over a different time scale. OER Level

9-12

Document

Molecular Level of Genetics

Molecular Level of Genetics

Get down to the molecular nitty-gritty of DNA replication and protein synthesis in this article by Dennis O'Neil. OER Level

9-12

Document

Nihoa Island

Nihoa Island

This video segment adapted from the NOW-RAMP 2002 Expedition documents a research expedition to Nihoa Island. It showcases Nihoa's unique birds and plants, the threat posed by invading grasshoppers, and restoration efforts. OER Level

6-12

Video

Nowhere to Hide

Nowhere to Hide

Notice how the birds select orange or green bugs as you alter the levels of local pollution in this interactive activity from Kinetic City. OER Level

K-8

Interactive

Romiya Glover

Romiya Glover

In this video from Science City, meet Romiya Glover, a chemist who develops products for HIV/AIDS testing. She describes the multidisciplinary nature of her job, how she decided to go into science, and how her work benefits others. OER Level

6-12

Video

Pearl and Hermes Atoll

Pearl and Hermes Atoll

This video segment adapted from the NOW-RAMP 2002 Expedition documents a research expedition to Pearl and Hermes Atoll in Hawai`i. Watch as biologists assess the bird and plant populations and then work to eradicate invasive species. OER Level

5-12

Video

Record of Time

Record of Time

Enter the exciting world of dating ... fossil dating, that is. From Record of Time by anthropologist Dennis O'Neil. OER Level

6-12

Document

RNAi Discovered

RNAi Discovered

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn how RNAi, a mechanism that has evolved in cells to prevent viral infection, was discovered and how it works. OER Level

9-12

Video

RNAi Therapy

RNAi Therapy

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn about RNAi's potential to treat a wide range of genetic and infectious diseases. OER Level

9-12

Video

Sea life is troubled by noise

Sea life is troubled by noise

This article from Science a GoGo describes the risks that increasing noise pollution in ocean waters may pose to the creatures that live there. Once you read it, you'll never tap on a fish tank again! OER Level

3-5

Document

Some Genes Are Dominant

Some Genes Are Dominant

This interactive activity, adapted from the Dolan DNA Learning Center, illustrates how Gregor Mendel used pure-bred yellow and green peas to show that some genes are dominant and others are recessive. OER Level

6-12

Interactive

Transitional Tetrapod Fossil

Transitional Tetrapod Fossil

In this video segment from NOVA: "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial," learn about the discovery of a well-preserved transitional fossil and how such transitional fossils support the theory of evolution. OER Level

6-12

Video

Understanding Gene Testing

Understanding Gene Testing

In this article by the National Cancer Institute and the National Center for Human Genome Research, find answers to your questions about genetic testing. OER Level

9-12

Document

What Is a Theory?

What Is a Theory?

In these two audio interviews from NOVA Online, learn about the difference between the common understanding of the word "theory" and how science uses the term. OER Level

6-12

Interactive