Languages: English

The term “protist” covers a wide range of microscopic organisms formerly clumped into “Kingdom Protista.” The modern view of these organisms has changed considerably; evidence such as molecular genetics indicates that the protistan lines of evolution go so far back in time they represent several different kingdoms of life. Through stunning photography of living protists, students are introduced to amoebas, flagellates, algae, and the elegant ciliated protists in ten learning modules.

Modules: A Variety of Cells, Cell Organization, Overview of Organic Molecules, Prokaryotic Cells, The Evolution of Eukaryotic Cells.

This program examines the discovery of viruses and their structure, how viruses are studied, and how they infect their hosts and replicate. Details are provided on the T-4 bacteriophage and retroviruses such as HIV. The bacteria section uses compelling microscopy of living bacteria to examine their structure, physiology, behavior, and the vital roles these microbes play in the biosphere, including oxygen production (cyanobacteria), decomposition and nitrogen fixation. They are also shown as parasites as well as helpful symbionts. Twelve minutes of additional live observation of a variety of bacteria can be used to introduce or recap the lesson or play as visual ambiance during laboratory work.

Modules: Structure and Behavior of the Plasma Membrane, Osmosis, Transport Proteins, Phagocytosis, Pinocytosis, Receptor Mediated Endocytosis, Golgi Function, Lysosomes and Hydrolytic Digestion, Microtubules, Cilia, Actin and Myosin Motor Proteins.

Fungi explores the structure, life cycles, ecology, classifi cation, and evolutionary relationships of four major lines of fungi: Chytrids, Zygomycetes (various molds), Ascomycetes (cup fungi), and Basidiomycetes (mushrooms). Also covered are the fungi imperfecti, a grab bag of asexual species, diffi cult to assign to any of the major lines of fungi evolution.

Photosynthesis Modules: Chloroplast Structure, Light Trapping by Chlorophyll, Light-Dependent Reactions of Photosynthesis, The Light-Independent Reactions of Photosynthesis Respiration Modules: Glycolysis and Fermentation, Mitochondrion Structure, Aerobic Respiration, Krebs Cycle, Electron Transport Chain, ATP synthesis.

Imagine an animal with no mouth, no digestive system, no excretory or circulatory organs, no brain nor nervous system, and no movement as an adult. In spite of their simple nature, sponges are actually one of the most fascinating animal phyla, when viewed in developmental, ecological, and evolutionary terms. Through animations and time-lapse microscopy, this program clarifies the structure, function, classification, and ecological roles of sponges.

Modules: Mitosis: Chromosome Condensation, Mitosis: Stages, Cytokinesis, Meiosis, Nucleotide Structure and Bonding, Replication Enzymes, Replicating the Strands, The Twisting Problem, Proof Reading and Repair.

Echinoderms are one branch of the deuterostome line of animal evolution, the branch to which Chordates also belong. Narrated modules cover phylum characteristic and key biological details for five classes: sea stars; brittle stars and basket stars; sea urchins and sand dollars (including developmental stages); sea cucumbers; and crinoids (feather stars).